Jump to content
Ford Galaxy Owners Club

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi,

My passenger side front brake has a ginding noise ,on and off, I would like to have a

go at changing the the pads and discs. Found on Ebay for around 45 pounds:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEAT-ALHAMBRA-FRONT-...VQQcmdZViewItem

 

Would you recommended it??

How big is this job for a DIY average guy?

I have read JDF guide but not sure about these steps:

 

9. Clamp flexible brake hose.

10. Attach clear tubing to bleed nipple and slacken off bleed nipple.

11. Slowly push piston back home (used

  • Replies 69
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

The front discs aren't too difficult, unless you hit any unforseen snags, which is always a possbility. :blink:

 

I would be a bit wary of the really cheap unbranded ones off eBay. I've had the Mintex ones from another eBay seller, they are excellent - but quite a bit dearer.

 

The bleed nipple is the little fat stud at the top of the caliper, with a push on connection for a piece of pipe. The process you're describing is so that you can push the piston back into the caliper (to make space for the new discs/pads) without pushing fluid back up the pipes into the ABS pump, which can damage the seals in the pump. You'll need a proper brake hose clamp, a piece of tubing and a ring spanner of the correct size to open the nipple by loosening it half a turn. If the nipple is tight or siezed, take great care not to snap it off...

 

If you want a more detailed explanation and pics of procedures like these, the Haynes book is a good place to start.

Posted
I loosen the fluid cap

 

Do you mean that you only loosened the brake fluid reservoir cap before pushing the pistons in? :blink:

 

If you did, you will have pushed the dirty fluid back through the ABS pump - doing that risks flipping the seals in the ABS pump and/or damaging them with the muck from the bottom of the system, the caliper. I would at least consider flushing the system through with some clean brake fluid...

 

IIRC the Mintex pads/discs were about

Posted
Would you recommended it??

No. Safety critical items need to come from known sources. Chances are that the Ebay supplier is supplying cheap Chinese parts (otherwise he would have said if it was Bosch etc.) Likely to wear quickly and or warp IMO a false economy with questionable safety.

 

 

Can someone explain a bit more or provide me a picture of the nipple?

You need to speak to a woman.....maybe your Mum?

 

If you don't know about brake nipples, you shouldnt be changing your brakes yourself. Some on the job training with an "expert" is advisable before doing safety critical jobs.

Posted
Can someone explain a bit more or provide me a picture of the nipple?

You need to speak to a woman.....maybe your Mum?

 

If you don't know about brake nipples, you shouldnt be changing your brakes yourself. Some on the job training with an "expert" is advisable before doing safety critical jobs.

 

 

My My SK....you are in fine fekkle today!!.. :blink:

Posted

Many thanks guys,

I think I will take it to tthe garage instead, I am beginning to loose

my confident after reading your replies.

hope I don't get ripped off.

Posted

well I have to say I agree entirely with seatkid on this

 

"No. Safety critical items need to come from known sources. Chances are that the Ebay supplier is supplying cheap Chinese parts (otherwise he would have said if it was Bosch etc.) Likely to wear quickly and or warp IMO a false economy with questionable safety."

 

if you know the E'Bayer supplies good stuff then ok if not STAY CLEAR

 

"If you don't know about brake nipples, you shouldnt be changing your brakes yourself. Some on the job training with an "expert" is advisable before doing safety critical jobs."

 

DEFFO

 

here is a picture of the consequenses when you dont know what you are doing and yes this was a actual brake disc

 

 

the guy thought he knew what he was doing AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

post-7813-1182038471.jpg

post-7813-1182038555.jpg

Posted
ummm..ok...seeing as ive never done brakes and have no intention of doing so..what is wrong with those pics??..all i can think of is that the discs are supposed to be solid not gappy.
Posted

Hi,

I too got the Mintex set off ebay. Expensive but very good quality - a year on still going strong with no signs of distortion.

I found an 8" G clamp fitted the pistons, and yes I did release the nipples.

Dave

Posted

djx,Brookydave and jowett69,

is it possible for you to tell me which ebay seller you got yours from, thks.

 

From my picture, can anyone tell me whether my pad/disc are both really gone??

do I need to replace both pads/discs.

many thanks for all your help.

post-6180-1182081630.jpg

Guest wolfie
Posted
minimum thickness of discs is a recomended front 21mm and 8mm rear, if yours are close or below limits change them, if they have plenty of wear left and they have no major grooves or damage? just replace the pads? try one of the aftermarket shops for all you need, eurocarparts or german and swedish etc, just ask for Sharan parts for the equivilent year and model
Posted (edited)
djx,Brookydave and jowett69,

is it possible for you to tell me which ebay seller you got yours from, thks.

 

From my picture, can anyone tell me whether my pad/disc are both really gone??

do I need to replace both pads/discs.

many thanks for all your help.

 

The discs look pretty worn, but check the thickness as wolfie says.

 

I got my Mintex discs/pads from 'mncautomotive' on eBay - I've had a few things from him now and he's always helpful, and very fast with the shipping. Done 20k miles plus on the Mintex discs so far without any problems whatsoever.

 

Here they are -

Edited by sparky Paul
Posted
sorry these are the close up pictures:

 

Yep that is the flexible pipe that you clamp and that is the bleed nipple ( under the rubber dustcap ).

Posted

many thks ! big_kev and sparky Paul,

I am going to ordered the mintex one,

and have a go at replaceing them,

will tried to take pic. also for others like me,who

are not that experienced.

thanks 4 yr hlp.

Posted

If you are going to clamp your brake hose, use a proper hose clamp and not a G-clamp which will damage the hose internally. And yes, that inboard pad is worn to the metal :)

 

wonder why I never buy second hand cars?.....

Posted
Why not get your pads from somewhere like Eurocarparts? They sell the ATE ones (which are the OEM parts) for around
Posted

Ebay is just another place to buy things. You can get ripped off anywhere if your not a bit savvy. Just make sure that you buy quality branded items from a recommended source.

I too bought the Mintex discs/pads from Ebay and would thoroughly recommend them.

The only potential problem is with disreputable traders flogging non branded items in brand boxes, thogh you would have thought that someone somewhere would have sussed them out in time, so I think good brands from someone with thousands of sales and +ve feedback is a reasonable bet. If you get an extra recommendation from a forum such as this, then all the better.

As for doing it yourself; if you don't try, then you'll never learn. My feeling is that you will do a better job as an amateur spending 3 hours with your head buried in a manual and shaking with fear every time you tighten a nipple, than a dealer with 20mins time and a hangover.

Posted
Don't get me wrong - I use Ebay to buy lots of things, and with care, many extremely good buys can be had. But for safety related items such as brake components, steer well clear. The cheap brake pads on Ebay will probably be copies of very dubious quality, and the so-called 'OEM' ones will probably cost more than places like Eurocarparts anyway.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...