Next project on my '2 ... Brakes

[ldavies83]

Right, car is sort of behaving itself now (occassional glitch with a grabby clutch, but I will sort that out in due course!).

My Next TODO is Brakes, specifically I was chatting to Anna's b/f (Mike? sorry ) on Saturday about brakes and I've been getting some vibration through the steering on braking. Immediately thought warped disks, however Mark suggested on occasions if you hold the foot brake down after a hard session of using them at traffic light for example, it can transfer material to the disk causing a juddering. Well on the way home brakes felt much better and no juddering! Dont know if it was this but they were much better on a long trek than on a short one.

So I want to upgrade the brakes anyhoo, specifically the brake lines. I'm reasonably pleased with the brake performance anyway, so should I go for replacement rubber hoses or stainless hoses? And if stainless, is there any difference between the Black diamond sets and the Goodridge ones?

Are there any fairly dust free pads that work well as a general pad and occasional track day use. Halfords pads are diabolical and dirty up my prized alloys after 1 day!

Cheers,

L.

[LimeyMk1]

I went for the Goodridge stainless hoses, IIRC there wasn't much in it price wise and they've got a good name for themselves. They did require some 'persuation to fit though.

I don't know what Alex's Porterfields are like for dust production but they're damn good for stopping! I was really impressed. Pagids are good but produce a lot of dust. Don't know about Green/Black stuff Lauren has used them so may be able to help.

Don't forget some Dot 4.1 fluid. I don't think Dot 5 is worth it as you need to change it pretty regularly.

I'd agree with Alex on the juddering brakes, more often than not it's material deposition. A couple of hard braking sessions should clear it if you do it as soon as the problem starts, just make sure you let them cool properly.

Chris

[ldavies83]

It makes sense, as I'm braking for almost a mile down a very steep hill every day at work and then it comes to a complete stop at the bottom on a roundabout.

I know laurens just opted for Pagids, maybe you can get stuff for the alloys to resist the dirt (Come to think of it, I'm sure i've seen something like it before)

Goodridge pipes it is then and a fresh batch of brake fluid to really sort things out! Do they come with the washers for the banjo nut on the calipers? As they usually need replacing if you remove them.

BTW If Alex your reading this, sorry for the name mixup, so much easier to remember by username

[Lauren]

It makes sense, as I'm braking for almost a mile down a very steep hill every day at work and then it comes to a complete stop at the bottom on a roundabout.

I know laurens just opted for Pagids, maybe you can get stuff for the alloys to resist the dirt (Come to think of it, I'm sure i've seen something like it before)

Goodridge pipes it is then and a fresh batch of brake fluid to really sort things out! Do they come with the washers for the banjo nut on the calipers? As they usually need replacing if you remove them.

BTW If Alex your reading this, sorry for the name mixup, so much easier to remember by username

Upto you, but i'd rather have stonkingly good brakes than clean alloys! You could always clean them a bit more often. Initial use of the pagids has really impressed me.. The car spent a near constant 50mins lapping angersea yesterday (i did a session and mark did a very long stint after me). He said they were getting a little spongey, but were working absolutely fine. I'd put the sponge down to teh fluid getting hot.

I'm at 3 sisters tomorrow, never been there before ( ) but will let you know what they are like after that.

One of the most important things when sorting MK1 brakes is to ensure that the pads can move freely in the caliper brackets as the the bracket tends to corrode behind the spring clips where the pads slot into the caliper mounting bracket. Mark just filed down the lugs on my pads a bit which i guess is as good as a solution as any.

[LimeyMk1]

My Goodridges didn't come with new crush washers IIRC, I've got a pretty hefty pack of assorted metric ones so it didn't bother me too much.

I think with the Pagid pads it may be a good idea to remove the brackets every time you change the pads and give them a good seeing to. Cheapest place I've found for them is motorsportworld.

Chris

[ldavies83]

Thanks Limey, that was a good site, I've been missing that bookmark for ages

Right, well I'll get some Pagid FR's then since people seem to rate them quite well, and they are quite reasonably priced!

Now to tot up my shopping list:

Goodridge Hoses
Pagid FR's pads x 4 wheels
Dot 4.1 fluid with complete fluid change

[MartG]

My Goodridges didn't come with new crush washers IIRC,

Replaced mine with Goodridge last month, and they came with the washers. The only thing missing was the circlips to clip into the mounting brackets on the body and strut - simple enough to take the ones off the old pipes though.

[LimeyMk1]

You're right Martin, I knew there was something missing but couldn't remember which component.

[crazylegs]

yep i went goodrich as well.expensive but worth it.lifetime guarantee .mine too were missing the clips not crucial but annoying and something they should address.why not go for synthetic fluid ,no water absorbtion and more stable at high temp.

[Lauren]

Thanks Limey, that was a good site, I've been missing that bookmark for ages

Right, well I'll get some Pagid FR's then since people seem to rate them quite well, and they are quite reasonably priced!

Now to tot up my shopping list:

Goodridge Hoses
Pagid FR's pads x 4 wheels
Dot 4.1 fluid with complete fluid change

Change fluid for DOT 5.1

New discs might be an idea if yours are a bit old. I change mine every 18months or so, but i do hammer them.