Did my brake pads today

Brakes feel spongy because you probably wound the pistons back in without releasing the pressure from the resevoir, therefore introducing air into the system.

Self mechanics is always worth a stab imo.

Oh and no copper grease? Expect seriously noisey brakes :)
 
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Lucero said:
Oh and no copper grease? Expect seriously noisey brakes :)
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the pads that were on from the factory didnt have them on either. The backs came off and they were clean as a whistle.

and the brakes are still silent. over 100 miles later.

and they arent likely to be any fancy compond. The box they came in was very battered and obviously old stuck. Probably due to their not being very much demand for vectra brakes

but im also pleased to report the brakes arent spongey anymore either. Bedding in nicely now and just like they were before. I cant see any improvement, but thats because i drive the car with my family in at the moment. I bought them because they were over £50 cheaper than standard pads from vauxhall without being worse quality.
 
MrLOL said:
the pads that were on from the factory didnt have them on either. The backs came off and they were clean as a whistle.
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They probably did have copper grease on them, water off the road etc washes it off very very quickly though and you probably only end up with copper grease in areas which arnt visable.
 
Lucero said:
Brakes feel spongy because you probably wound the pistons back in without releasing the pressure from the resevoir, therefore introducing air into the system.
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So where does the air come from then?

The system is sealed apart from the only possible point of entry at the reservoir cap unless you open the bleed nipples.

Air isn't introduced into the system as the caliper winds itself out, so how would it if you wind them in?
 
When they do go however, ill probably get a set of these discs

Standard vauxhall item but machine'd with grooves into the existing 342mm disc.

brakes005.jpg
 
They will feel spongey to start with because the pad surface is full of high and low spots where it should sit flat on the disk.
 
Fair enough, I just find that about half way through the 2nd set of pads, I can make my brakes fade if I'm trying hard enough. Always replaced disks with pads, maybe my pads are harsher or something?
 
BigglesPiP said:
Fair enough, I just find that about half way through the 2nd set of pads, I can make my brakes fade if I'm trying hard enough. Always replaced disks with pads, maybe my pads are harsher or something?
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Life expectancy of a good pad and disk combo where the pad is working in the proper heat range would be the disks lasting 3 times longer than the disks.

Its good to waste money i guess, but then thats why you bought an Alfa :p
 
My CTR discs last through 2 sets of pads before they're done. I've only used OEM items on the brakes, but the car does get a lot of abuse.
 
Good work that man :)

Howard said:
Slightly OT but I have never understood the reasoning why some manufacturers use stud bolts to hold wheels on instead of wheel nuts. Looking at your picture has just made me wonder :D
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It's cheaper. Studs and nuts need a hole drilled, set of studs pressed in, set of nuts. Bolts just need a hole drilled and tapped (which is done in one operation) and a set of bolts.

I prefer studs.
 
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