Brake pads/Discs condition

[schumiisking]

Hi,

I have a question regarding brake pads and discs, hope you guys can help me.

I just checked my pads last night and there were pretty darn low, so I need to replace them. My question is this - on the disc itself were circular rings running around them - is this normal? or is the surface of the disc meant to be totally smooth and flat?

If so, can low pads cause this, or do I need to change my discs too?

Im running a redtop cally 1993.

Thanks

[Mark1]

You will get some marks on the discs, how big is the lip on outside edge of the disc?

[Fraz]

if you mean there are groves going right round the braking area of the disc's, it sounds like the pads have scored the disc's

I would as a matter of course replace the disc's and pads if there is any doubt...they are not that expensive and do you really want to play with you row and others lives

[schumiisking]

You will get some marks on the discs, how big is the lip on outside edge of the disc?

It was a couple of mm maybe. Should I be thinking of changing them Mark1?


How much would a set of discs cost?

I just bought some pads from Vauxhall, which cost £29 (don't know if that was wise - maybe you guys can tell me - i just couldnt be bothered to research and went for GM parts).

I expect they'll charge a silly amount for the discs though - what do you guys recommend?

[bodgetastic]

If you sign up as a member, the discount you get at vauxhall would more than cover the cost of this on discs alone. You could also try autovaux for parts

[schumiisking]

any ideas what sort of percentage discount I might expect from my pentagon vauxhall dealer (if i become a clubcalibra member). or does it vary dealer to dealer.

[Mark1]

A couple mm I'd be leaving them, as they should be good for at lest 10k more.

You can pick grooved dics on ebay for around the £60 mark, some of the guys have used them and are very happy with them.

[schumiisking]

cheers for the info.

one last thing - so those perfectly circular marks running around the discs caused by the pads - is that normal then, those marks.

If not - will new discs and pads cure that. Or is there a bigger issue?

[Fraz]

You got a picture of these marks?

[schumiisking]

Ive attached some pics.

Couldnt really get a decent shot coz the alloys cover most of the wheel. You can make out the marks though.

They are just small (and when I say small, half a mm maybe or something) concentric circles running around the disc, like saturns rings or something.
Is it normal? Or are discs not meant to have any wear marks on them at all.

(just tried editing them coz they're massive pics but i can't seem to remove them off the forum post. sorry)

[Mark1]

Could you resize the pic's please, they are just a bit on the big side.

[Callyman]

Dont think it will matter if he does MArk, they are badly out of focus.

[Fraz]

yes they are a tad out of focus and way too big

but can just about make out slight groves on the discs, they dont look that bad mor elike pads never got bedded in enough

if your worried buy new discs before fitting pads..any motor factor will have them at a fraction of the cost of Vauxhall...though IIRC a front brake set is about £55 with club discount