Off-topic chat thread

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Draigflag

Guys I'm getting a horrendous metal on metal scrapping noise at low speed and when I brake. Now, I'm thinking I may have eaten through my front pads already, and I don't think there's a low pad warning mech. They are huge brakes, 15" and barely have a lip yet, and they are twin piston calipers. Is it normal with performance brakes to eat through pads this quick? (13500 miles) and is it OK just to fit new pads without changing the barely worn discs?

Yep. I've heard that sound, too, Paul. Was the brake pads.

A mechanic will want to turn your discs, but that'll just wear them thinner and suck $$$ outta your wallet.

Replace with metallic brake pads, which are like normal pads but are embedded with tiny metal particles. These will will eventually smooth any scoring to the discs.

Normally, when brake pads get too worn there will be a warning sound BEFORE you score the discs. Perhaps you've been playing your music too loud, Paul!

Are you handy? Have you replaced pads? It's REALLY easy! It's a financial crime to pay someone to do it, because it's THAT simple.

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Draigflag

I am hoping to drive through Germany one day, go to the Nurburgring etc. I would love to do an economy test at my cars top speed on the Autobahns at 155 Mph (limited). I'm guessing it would be single digits!

Speaking of driving as fast as you can go...

Years ago, I took the '89 Civic on a road trip to visit my grandmother's birthplace and childhood town, Philipsburg, Montana.

At that time, Montana had NO freeway speed limits.

The 70hp Civic was pack with camping gear and the weight of me and a buddy.

Pedal to the floor, the little Honda could only go 85mph! (shrug)

[Draigflag]

Thanks for the help/answers. Had a wheel off today, pads are very low, and one has worn a bit wonky so perhaps one piston is a bit sticky. Lots of dry brake dust in there, so I'm going to get my mate to order some new pads and clean the calipers and discs up whilst he's there. Annoyingly the wheel where the most noise is coming from was bonded on the hub and I didn't have a rubber mallet to loosen it, but below is the drivers side disc.

[ChewChewTrain]

Originally Posted by Draigflag

Thanks for the help/answers. Had a wheel off today, pads are very low, and one has worn a bit wonky so perhaps one piston is a bit sticky. Lots of dry brake dust in there, so I'm going to get my mate to order some new pads and clean the calipers and discs up whilst he's there. Annoyingly the wheel where the most noise is coming from was bonded on the hub and I didn't have a rubber mallet to loosen it, but below is the drivers side disc.

That uneven wear between the two pads is suspicious.

Check this out, Paul...

https://www.google.com/search?q=one+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[Draigflag]

Thanks Doug, although it may be just the dodgey angle of the photo causing a slight shadow.

[JockoT]

There is always a slight angle to the wear of brake pads and shoes. This is the "servo effect" (nothing to do with the brake servo), whereby the leading edge of the pad/shoe is pulled in tighter than the trailing edge (leading edge being first part of the pad/shoe that any point of the disc/drum contacts). This was why, back in the days of drum front brakes, you used two leading shoes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin-l...hoe_drum_brake
This is much less of an effect on the pads of a disc brake system, but it is measurable as a slight angle to the wear.

[Draigflag]

Turns out it's just my pads worn out luckily. But get this, the genuine Alcon pads are....sit down, take a breath, £271 or $358 USD JUST FOR THE PADS!!! So I've asked my friend to order Mintex ones at £65 a set. Crazy prices for original parts.

[trollbait]

Pure gold flecks really improve your braking performance.