Doughie Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 OK Got my new Porterfield R4S carbon-kevlar brake pads the other day. Is it easy to change brake pads yourself ? I had a look at the front-wheel caliper/pads and it looks fairly straightforward etc. Has anyone done it before ? Are the rear's the same as the fronts ? Do the two metal pins that slide through the metal backing plates simply slide out easily once you’re taken off all the metal clips ? And do I need to use some copper-grease or something on the pins before I reassemble to make sure the pins don’t stick ? any other tips / pointers ? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinL Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 Stu, Was it recommended that you fitted a full set? or is it just that you need to change all. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughie Posted August 14, 2001 Author Share Posted August 14, 2001 Makes sense to do a full-set. Otherwise if you only change, say, the fronts, then you are going to adversely affect the brake balance of the car. In racing parlance, almost all race cars have a brake bias control in the car which changes the allocation of the braking pressure front / rear. Too much at the front and you tend to lock-up the fronts, too much at the rear and you lock up the rears on corner entry which means you're likely to spin it on entry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipfinger Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 Yeah, changing the brakes on the front and not the back is NOT recommended on a Supra or otherwise mental RWD car........putting all the stopping power at the front end and shifting the weight there will make it even more tail-happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinL Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 That's what I suspected. I have a feeling that the pins are prone to rusting and ceasing, if fact someone recently on the big list was investigating getting S/Steel pins made up to alleviate the problem but no one appeared too interested. Do they do a brake refurb kit for the UK Spec Supra anyone? regards...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ash Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 Not worth farting about with the pins IMO as they are only £1.86 each. Piston and seal kit is £29 per caliper, all plus VAT. Yours, J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughie Posted August 14, 2001 Author Share Posted August 14, 2001 Ash So it's an easy job to put in the new pads, yeah ? Get 8 new pins, and then i'm sorted ? Is it advisable to put any "anti-squeal" copper grease stuff on the back of the metal plate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ash Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 It's easy to change the pads, and I would replace the pins at the same time. There are 2 in each front and one in each rear (from memory) so that's 6 pins in all. I always put a thin layer of copper grease on the pins and on the pad backs. Plus, when you remove the old pads, give the whole assembly a good spray with brake cleaner to get rid of all the gunk that settles around the piston area. Check the seals aren't cracked as a duff seal can quickly lead to a rusted, seized piston - which is very expensive compared to the cost of the seal/piston kit. Yours, J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Booth Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 ... and I make sure the pad is free to move across the whole of its potential travel; this ensures no surprise sticking pads after a few months wear. It's typical to find a low spot where the pads have been sitting for a while and new pads (with their nice thick coat of paint) will not traverse the whole range. Flat the internal calliper sides witha fine file and smear a *thin* layer of Copper grease on that surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughie Posted August 14, 2001 Author Share Posted August 14, 2001 OK thanks for the tips guys. can't do it yet as the old pads have got a few mm left to go but good to have a few pointers for when i do whack in the new pads. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Booth Posted August 14, 2001 Share Posted August 14, 2001 DON'T GET COPPER GREASE ON THE PAD FACE OR THE DISC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughie Posted August 14, 2001 Author Share Posted August 14, 2001 why not ? kidding ... i'll be careful ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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