Hi folks, we just got a new (to us) 2011 Punto evo 1.3 Mj with only 30k miles. The brakes are sharp ! takes some getting used to. Back in the days when cars were more simple we used to chamfer the leading edge of brake shoes to reduce the brake drum grabbing the shoe to quickly. Has any body tried filing the leading edge of brake disc pads in an attempt to stop the sharp grab we are experiencing ?
Not sure about putting 'cheap' pads on tho'.... Regards mike
Yes, our boss was very keen on us manually filing a chamfer on the leading edge of brake shoes and it was very effective at stopping new linings from grabbing and squealing, especially on twin leading shoe front brakes like Mini, Anglia, Morris Oxford and Cambridge and many others. We never chamfered pads as a matter of course although it was often effective at stopping squealing if a customer came back with that particular problem. I notice many pads now come ready chamfered! We always, sparingly, applied copper hmp grease to the back of brake pads and shoe backplate contact points - NEVER, of course, to the linings themselves! Then, when ABS came in, I remember a brake rep. - could have been the Ferodo man? Not sure after all these years - giving us a talk about how the copper could cause ABS sensor contamination which could cause all sorts of problems. I don't remember us ever having a problem with this but I suppose it could be caused if the grease was slapped about with too much enthusiasm! Anyway we were all issued with a tub of ceramic based grease and I've just continued to use ceramic product ever since. (Still got a tub of Copaslip for other antisieze applications though but I now use ceramic antisieze on exhaust downpipe nuts and bolts and find it very effective). Of course now a days the sensors are usually integral with the wheel bearing so maybe contamination is not now so much of an issue?
I suspect the problem you are experiencing - of "over sharp" brakes - is more likely to be due to the much more powerful pedal assistance favoured by modern manufacturers. (See my earlier comments). I replaced my 1999 Seat Cordoba Vario (estate car) with a new Ibiza estate two years ago. The Ibiza has such a powerful brake booster that I still tend to stand it on it's nose when in a "rapid reaction" type situation. The Cordoba required about twice the effort but was much more "controllable" with a lot more "feel" as to how the tyres were gripping the road.
As regards "cheap" pads. I see you are not in the UK so don't know your local supply situation. I try to always buy from trade factors or big name suppliers and find prices comparable to quality on line sources. I would not buy from an unknown source as I worry about the proliferation of counterfeit parts reported to be in circulation these days. Until recently I bought most of my parts from a local factor with whom I had built up a trusting relationship over many years. He dealt in "big name" parts - Mahle, Ferodo, Mann, Comma oils, etc, etc. Unfortunately he recently had to close down due to ill health. It took me a couple of months to establish a new working relationship with another factor and I am having to get used to a whole load of new brand names. In particular I was very suspicious of the brand of brake discs and pads he sells - Allied Nippon - after reading on line that they are made in India? However I now have the old Cordoba, my boy's Astra estate (which is his business transport) and, before we recently sold it, my wife's '92 Panda Parade all running around on the Allied Nippon products and they are absolutely fine. The only exception I would make would be to buy parts from a known performance specialist if I was working on a high performance or heavily modified vehicle when I would pay the extra for a big name product. If you have a VAG (Volkswagen group) product take a look at TPS who supply genuine parts at affordable prices and I find the people up here in Edinburgh are very helpful.
Hope the new year is treating you all well. We've all, extended family including grandchildren, been ill over Christmas/New Year and now my central heating has packed in! Good news though is that the Astra, Punto and Jazz all flew through their MOT's! Thank goodness as it's far too cold and wet for this 72 year old to be lying on the drive fixing cars!