Front brakes advice needed!

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Fozzfox72
Joined: Wed 10 Apr, 2013 09:40
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Fozzfox72 »

Hi all,
I have notice a "clicking" noise when braking recently, and the brakes are what I can only describe as vague!

So I have started to investigate and noticed the front discs are orange with rust and the callipers look terrible (rusty too) So I took the car to a mechanic and he confirmed the pad has broken free and is out of position. It's kind of hanging out the caliper! This is rubbing the disc and not really stooping the car correctly. ( this may also explain the wheel shake?) :wink:

Rear discs and pads all good as is hand brake, thankfully!!

Can anyone recommend disc and pads, I don't want cheap rubbish, I have looked online at euro parts which price wise is reasonable, but should I opt for vented, groove and drilled or just plain standard discs? And again the pads are they really all that different ? I am even thinking of rubbing the callipers down with a wire brush and painting them?

As always your valued input knowledge and advice is more than welcome, and thanks in advance!

Best

FF
swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
Posts: 1866

  M roadster S50
Location: Mossley

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by swamper »

standard disks with some yellowstuff pads should see you right.......if you can stretch to it id get some refurbed calipers to go with them....at least you know there right then.... it is the brakes after all
the badness makes me do it...!

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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Southernboy »

Vented discs are standard on your car, so stay with that. Also, since you're doing the job, it may be advisable to find an outlet that does re-furbed callipers...should be a "swap" type arrangement where they will take your "old" units, and supply the re-furbed ones. After that it's pretty much straight forward....Oh, and you may as well do a complete flush of the fluid and replace with new brake fluid. BMW recommend replacing the brake fluid every 2 years.
"Normal is overrated"
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Fozzfox72
Joined: Wed 10 Apr, 2013 09:40
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Fozzfox72 »

Thanks guys!

Callipers replacement is a good idea although they are not cheap new so I will certainly take your advise on the reconditioned ones IF I can find someone that does them?

Standard vented and yellow stuff pads sound good, gagging to get it back on the road, what with the sunny spell, typical!! :head:
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Southernboy »

You need to search for a company that specialises in rebuilding callipers...they will generally be able to help you, or refer you to a company that will have what you require. :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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gookah
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Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by gookah »

Fozzfox72 wrote:
Callipers replacement is a good idea although they are not cheap new so I will certainly take your advise on the reconditioned ones IF I can find someone that does them?

http://biggred.co.uk..
They do individual parts, as well as reconditioning and powder coating
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
Posts: 2505

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Brian H »

BiggRed are a company that will do caliper rebuilds and refurbishment, I had all my calipers refurbished and coated in polymer black, they are very good but not cheap though. It is cheaper to source new non-OEM ones.

http://www.biggred.co.uk


Edit: :head: :head: :head: Gookah beat me to it
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Southernboy »

.........there you go Fuzzy...these guys are the best....always have the best answers, and saves you time / hassle of finding a reputable source... :wink:
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Del »

Yep I have used Big Red refurbishment kits. Helped my teenage son do the front callipers recently on his Corsa. The kit (£19) included 2 X dust covers, 2 X new piston seals, 2 x rubber slider set covers and 2 X new bleed screw covers. Stripped the callipers down first and gave them a good clean with fresh brake fluid and now as good as new. However, if yours are really badly corroded on the outside to the point where they are flaking away, personally I would tend to go for exchange/recon ones.
Fozzfox72
Joined: Wed 10 Apr, 2013 09:40
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Front brakes advice needed!

Post by Fozzfox72 »

Had new vented aftermarket discs and pads fitted, gave the area a good clean and service too. Great job :)
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