Decided to swap winter rims for the summer ones, and take the opportunity to do the brakes at the same time. I purchased Centric discs, and Akebono pads. Did the front, drivers side with no problems. Passenger side was going well until I tried to refit the caliper over the rotor. I can't seem to get the darn thing on there. :mad2: It looks like the pad/rotor thickness is too wide. I have tried to compressing the piston, took the cap off the brake fluid reservoir, etc. Still no go. It isn't that much, maybe 1/32. Any suggestions? Picture shows how close it is.
I had the same problem with mine a few months ago. Turns out that not all 4 pads are the same. There are 2 of each, and when paired up the calipers fit. Can't tell you what the difference is, but that's what I experienced.
I always use a big ass C-clamp with the old pad to press the caliper back flush so I have all the space I need. Glad you got that worked out.
Crashton, just messing with you!!!!!!!! I put the pads with the spring clips into the piston, and the ones without clips to the outside. I must admit that when I could not get the assembly over the disc, I began to doubt myself. Took a good look-see in the Bentley manual just be sure. Now cleaning all the crud off my winter rims before I put them away for the summer.
I took my Coop to get some air in the tyres, after running a few errands (about 5 - 6 mile drive). While putting air in, I noticed that the passenger side disc (the one I had trouble with) is getting hotter than the driver side. I have a 56 mile one way commute to work, and am concerned that the heat build up might affect the new disc.
Re-check your work: the fitment should be the same on both sides. If it has gone together well you might check your caliper: the piston might be boogered and not retracting into the caliper. On another note, I find that Akebono pads have just about the worst brake bite in the business. If your brakes continue to feel mushy weeks after installing them, that's why.
Did you bed in the new brakes after you put them on? If not you are probably seeing a slight difference in friction from side to side.
Eric I found the bite in the Akebono pads is better than the Stop Techs or the Hawks. They don't have the bite of a non-ceramic pad but that's the trade off for clean wheels and no squeels.
You need to bed them in. Find a route where you can safely get to about 60 and get on the brakes hard about 8-10 times. Then a cool down of a few miles at 40-50 plus then do it again. On the cool down try not to use the brakes. On the hard braking don't come to a complete stop just down to about 10-20. Also make sure no one is behind you when you jam on the brakes, they will freak out. Driving easy on them when they are new risks glazing them.
Thanks for the input, mrntd. I planned on doing that on my way to work (56 miles), but heading out now to see what happens. Any excuse to drive the Coop.
Sounds like you may have a problem with your caliper if you are generating more heat on the side you had to use the big C on. Not bedding in your pads is not the cause of that. Bed them in & then recheck the temps on both sides against each other.
Okay. I did the bedding in procedure, and all seems fine. Checked the temps of the discs with my finger, and both seemed to be the same. Bloody hot!!!! Not very scientific, I know. Both discs have a nice colour to them, almost looks like the tempering range for steel. I also checking the following: 1, While driving before bedding in, I let go of the steering wheel and the Coop stayed on line, straight and true. No pulling to one side, as if the brakes were binding on one side only. 2, When braking hard from 60mph, I also let go of the wheel and the MINI braked in a straight line. Even braking pressure, I assume. 3, Repeated these actions after cool down, bedding in again, and cool down.
Took these pics of the old pads to compare them. There is almost no difference in the thickness of the wear surface of the inner (piston side) pads, and a very small difference in the thickness of the outer pads.