For Sale - 1 x Neon Brake Disc...

[FactionOne]

...Not really of course, but it might as well be...

Some of you might remember that a while ago I had a somewhat sticky caliper on the driver's corner of my baby... After a bit of bodging one afternoon with my mate, it seemed to have 90% cleared up (there was very little difference in temperature between the two discs after a bit of spirited-driving, and the car was happy to roll with the clutch-in etc.)...

Last night I went out (for the first time since sorting out last week's dead-MAF - and only the second time since she's been back from the bodyshop (I got about 2 or 3 miles before I had to turn around last week)...

All was going well, all the power (as little as there is) was back, and I was having a jolly-good time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I made it past the shell-station I had to turn-back at last week, hit a local retail-estate to hook my mate up with some grub (and got the added bonus of a pair of chavs in an escort parked next to me who wanted a battle of the stereos (needless to say when I finally got fed up and gave them some back it was about 2 minutes before they drove off /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/fuck_you.gif))... Then we moved off and headed up the A6 towards Lancaster, Carnforth (to meet my mate and his scooby) and the plan was for us to hit the twisties in the lakes /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Well, I made it about 3 miles past the M55 and started to feel a vibration through the wheel... So obviously you start going through the possible causes in your head... "Well I haven't jumped off any 20ft curbs etc. so there's no good reason why the tracking would fall that badly out; Maybe I've lost a weight off a wheel?... ...Or maybe it's my brakes? Nah, couldn't be the brakes, could it? It vibrates when I'm not braking, (and as mentioned) it doesn't feel like any of them are grabbing"

As soon as I'd dismissed everything I immediately thought of I pulled over, jumped out and walked round the back - My buddy was already giving his corner a kick to check the wheel wasn't about to drop off, and I walked round the front to my side to do the same...

Next came the craziest double-take of my life... I kicked the wheel and it didn't budge, then I wondered why there was a light on in my wheel arch. After nearly snapping my neck looking again I realised that the disc was RED HOT - and I mean SERIOUSLY glowing (maybe a minute or two from exploding brake-pads)

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif

So it's the week before Christmas... I'm still waiting for a replacement card from HSBC, I have a 12 month service due this month, MOT due on the 1st of January and now I need my brakes sorting out rather badly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm not particularly too keen to take it in to Audi to have the brakes sorted (nor the MOT to be honest - Preston Audi just had my dad £170 for a brake hose that to a few other people looked fine (they always find something pricey wrong with it when it goes in - and he does maybe 3k a year now))... I'm guessing after parts and labour it would probably be cheaper for me to get some ""better"" discs and pads from somewhere and get the work carried out at an independant...

I'm just wondering if you guys have any suggestions regarding replacement discs and pads (before anyone says it - I'd love to put a full porker setup on but it's a 1.6 and obviously not worth the hassle - plus there isn't really the time to source the hubs etc. and do the transplant to enable a caliper-upgrade - nor the wonga if I'm honest)...

Also suggestions of where might have stock and be able to deliver for friday (or early next week) would be a great help...

And finally /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Any ideas people have regarding resolving the cause of my damaged discs and pads (the sticky caliper) given the fact they're the less-than-great 1.6S setup (and near un-servicable) would be gratefullly received.

Cheers folks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

Regards,

Rob.

 

[Khufu]

I guess it depends what is seized. It could either be the slide or the piston. The slide is easy enough to do - wire brush it and put copper slip on it. If it is the caliper you may be better off with a new one. Freeing them off only seems to last so long till the seize again but if money is tight at this time of year it may be an option. Soak it in WD40 and work it in and out with a G-clamp and pumping the brakes making sure it doesn't pop out.

A new caliper isnt too dear, went to check Eurocarparts but the site is a bit screwed, only giving rear prices but it will be about 60-70+vat. You probably will need to replace the disc and pads too though and the fluid may be ruined on that side too.

 

[FactionOne]

Thanks again khufu!...

I've just ordered some new discs and pads (EBC Turbo Groove and Greenstuff (wanted to try Black Diamond discs but it seemed I hadn't a chance in hell of getting them fast))... I wonder if the drilling/grooving will have a noticable effect from the driver's-seat on temperature (/efficiency over prolonged-use).
I suppose they can't be any worse than the basic vented ones that are on it now.

They should be delivered tomorrow and then it's off to a local independant for a new caliper, and for the new discs and pads to be fitted, and an MOT while it's there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also booked in at Preston Audi to have the annual service done (although I think the car's only done some 4.5k since the last one) - and if I've not already figured them out, some diagnosis and quotes (and ultimately the work so long as it won't break the bank) for some other little things that have been bugging me.

So I'm really looking forward to the 30th now - *fingers crossed* I'll have a smooth-running motor again with another 12 months on the MOT and brakes that aren't a breath from bursting into flames! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regards,

Rob.

PS> I love your signature! I don't think you're even that close to slowest though... I'm sure there are more than two or three of us with lowly-little 1.6's - Mine's probably one of the slower ones of those too... It's got a serious weight of magnets and MDF in it - added to the fact that I'm driving around with a brake-on! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_roll.gif

 

[Khufu]

You should get a better inital bite off of them. You will also get a growling noise, kinda like an airplane slowing down LOL. Just make sure you bed them in correctly. I used to have them on my old E30 BMW