[toibs]

Ok, well had 4 new boots on Poomar yesterday (Owwch 215's are expensive nowadays!!), and the bloke mentioned that the front discs would soon need changing. Yes they've got the obligatory "rim" round the edge of unwarn disc. Pads are great tho - they were replaced about 8 months ago - there's plenty left, and it seems a shame to chuck them....
However, there's a couple of things that i'd be interested in knowing....

How do you actually know when they need replacing? Measured mine, and i've got about 18mm of disc depth left. Also, whilst the passenger side disc is nice and shiney (appart from a couple of "grooves" ), the drivers side is all dull. Oh and there's rust on the side of the discs (where what looks like the vents are) thats starting to flake....

The reason i'm asking??? I mentioned it to the GF earlier, and she muttered something along the lines of "they can't need doing surely..."

Advice from you experts in the know would be great....

Paul ('98 ABS R reg)

[RobK]

CAREFULLY run your finger up the surface of the disc (outwards from the centre) It should be relatively smooth. If there are ridges and bumps, then they will need changing. I say be careful as some of the ridges can be sharp in bad cases. A fairly knackered set should be apparent just by sight though.

[toibs]

Thanks Rob,

Well i know it sounds daft, but from what i can see (i checked exactly this earlier!!), they are smooth but with ridges and bumps.

I might go take a photo or two - if i posted them, someone might be able to tell???

Paul

[RobK]

just watch the flash on the shiny disk. Worth a go. Always a good excuse to buy some performance dics and pads if they are gone! Have a look around the threads on brakes for that.

[toibs]

Just need to justify it to the misses (As well as not wanting to replace them if it's not necessary!!)

Paul

[RobK]

Life wouldn't be life without having to justify it to the missus!!

[happy-kat]

got to justify to ur GF?
if u need them, u need them, brakes after all are to stop the car.

[toibs]

got to justify to ur GF?
if u need them, u need them, brakes after all are to stop the car.

Which is why i wanted to see if they needed replacing or not!!

[Tim]

Paul,

If you are inetrested I have just upgraded my brakes and have a pair of EBC Turbo Groove disc's I no longer need.
They have done less than 1,000 miles.
Pm me if you are interested.

[ALAN at PUMABUILD]

Hi Paul dont forget that you have the small type brakes on your puma

[toibs]

I was gonna say, if i do decide to change them, i'll probably be as well to upgrade at the same time - there's minimal difference in cost (How much ARE proper Discs/pads from Ford nowadays?), plus i'd benefit from the difference

[Tim]

Alan,
I pleased to see you have edited your previous post.

[PUMDRIVER]

On the small before 2000 brake you can't be under 18 mm, standard are 20 mm....
:wink:

[m8tte]

Minimum thickness is (I think) 18mm so sound like they need changing now!

[Mr 2]

If they're not below 18mm and you don't want/can't afford to change them, you can get discs skimmed to smooth them out again.

Apparantly this is now where near as pricey as changing the discs.

However, if I was you, I'd go for the 280mm V6 mondeo disc and calliper upgrade!!! :twisted:

[BOK]

Just need to justify it to the misses (As well as not wanting to replace them if it's not necessary!!)

Paul

This is easy...just go around your favourite corners without braking whilst screaming 'my brakes my brakes'! She WILL be convinced...

Oh one famous way of telling if your brake discs need changing is if the brake pads fall out of the caliper :wink: