CRACKED CALIPER?!

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Justin
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CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 03 Sep 2012 11:18 am

I recently replaced my front brake pads by following a haynes manual which says to put some locking compound on the caliper locating bolt once finished (which I've done).

My friend seems to think that I should have done the actual wheel nuts up with a torque-wrench and because I havent my caliper will crack in a few weeks time?!!!
Last edited by Justin on 04 Sep 2012 04:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

classicswede
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by classicswede » 03 Sep 2012 06:45 pm

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

No just tighten them sensibly for the bolt size
Dai

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seannaayy
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by seannaayy » 05 Sep 2012 12:27 am

your friends funny!

Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Ride_on » 06 Sep 2012 12:12 am

Some cars disks are held on by the wheel+nuts but not the 300. In any case it should not matter, motorists are not equiped with torque wrenches and ARE expected to change wheels.

You friend is either stupid or taking the piss.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Justin
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Joined: 31 Jul 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 06 Sep 2012 11:35 am

Thanks Ride-On, my mate is definately talking crap! My front brakes have started squeeking today, Im guessing its because they have dirt on them?

I used brake cleaning spray when I replaced the pads last week...
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

Attack2001
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Attack2001 » 06 Sep 2012 01:50 pm

Justin wrote:Thanks Ride-On, my mate is definately talking crap! My front brakes have started squeeking today, Im guessing its because they have dirt on them?

I used brake cleaning spray when I replaced the pads last week...
If you've only replaced the pads, you need to the let the pads bed in and 'wear' to the shape of the disks. Shouldnt take long :)

Thomas..............
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Ride_on
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Ride_on » 06 Sep 2012 11:32 pm

Brake squeel can be a bit tricky. Assuming the pads are not worn and fixed metal is not touching rotating metal, a standard tweak is copper grease on the backs of the pads.

Also do let them bed in gently first.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Justin
Posts: 366
Joined: 31 Jul 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 14 Sep 2012 05:55 pm

No the pads are brand new. When you say copper grease on the backs of the pads will stop squeeking exactly where on the pad does this grease go? Can you post a photo?

I can live with the squeeking as long as it isnt causing damage to my brakes?...
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

Attack2001
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Joined: 05 Jun 2011 03:45 pm
Location: Rochester, Kent
Contact:

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Attack2001 » 14 Sep 2012 06:30 pm

The brake pad has two sides, one that the piston pushes against, and the other that pushes against the disk. Put some copper grease on the face that the piston pushes against, doesn't need a thick coating, but put enough on to cover the area the piston pushes against :)

Thomas..................
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Justin
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Joined: 31 Jul 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 15 Sep 2012 10:52 am

Thanks attack2001 that is a great help. Another friend has also told me to put copper-grease actually on the face of the pad that touches the actual disc?! It's a nightmare getting so many different opinions on what I should and shouldnt do! As a complete novice with cars it seems logical to me that it wouldnt be a good idea to put copper-grease on the face of the pad that touches the disc as the brakes wouldnt work as well....
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

pettaw
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by pettaw » 15 Sep 2012 11:00 am

DON'T PUT ANYTHING ON THE FRICTION SURFACE!! Sorry for shouting, but if you do that, you'll contaminate the entire brake pad and it'll never work properly again! Copper grease on the BACK of the pad, ie: the part that the piston pushes against.

Hopefully you've put thread lock on the caliper sliding bolt that you undid, just for safety's sake, and so long as the wheel bolts are done up sensibly then you won't have a problem.

Justin
Posts: 366
Joined: 31 Jul 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 15 Sep 2012 11:07 am

Thanks, I think I will just listen to the advice the good people on this forum supply as it seems my mates spout a lot of crap!! What about greasing the back of the pad that sits farthest away from the piston ie;the pad closest to the front of the caliper as you look at it?...
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

MCHUDD
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Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by MCHUDD » 15 Sep 2012 11:55 am

Hi Justin.
Mr pettaw has it spot on.
Cheers Mark.
sm4 sm4 sm4

Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Ride_on » 16 Sep 2012 11:07 pm

Are you sure these people are your friends, they are suggesting something very dangerous. Its not funny.

Anyway, yes you can put copper grease on the back of both pads, anywhere they are touching the caliper, but do not get it on the friction material or disk.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Justin
Posts: 366
Joined: 31 Jul 2008 12:18 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: CRACKED CALIPER?!

Post by Justin » 17 Sep 2012 02:10 pm

Thanks. I greased all the backs of my pads yesterday but am still sadly getting a minor squeeking! I guess I could have greased the outside edges of the pads aswell but just cant be bothered doing it all again!

I did notice that my discs have new wear from the new pads at the top and bottom of both discs but not through the middle! (slightly warped discs?) Im guessing the pads will eventually wear the discs true? I checked that my discs were within the minimum thickness spec (11.8mm 1980 on) before I renewed the pads, the discs were actually both exactly 12mm.

I reckon it will be hard to replace my discs the next time it comes to doing it as they seem to be obsolete parts...
1988 340 1.4 DL

(I suffer with O.C.D. which makes me obsessed with fine detail)

(Diagrams or photos are far more helpful to me when it comes to cars)

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