Brake Pad fitting - recommendations / anyone fancy fitting them?

[Goot]

Hi All,

I need new brake pads front and rear for my 52 reg Leon TDI 110.
Having had mixed results with the OE pads, I want something better, but not having to pay the earth for. Hoping to stay with the OE discs, unless they are due for replacement. In this case, I'll upgrade both pads and discs. Car in for free brake check today at "Quick-Fit"

Had a recomendation off Bill (thanks!) but more than I wanted to spend.

Come to the conclusion that Black Diamond Predator pads would be a good "next step" choice for me for both front and rear pads running on the OE discs (unless OE ones need replacing). Quote from Rimstyle very competitive

Problem I'm now finding is a recommended fitter in the North West (pref Manchester/Liverpool/Warrington area), that isn't going to charge a silly fitting cost. Kwik Fit, dealership etc not happy/won't fit customer supplied parts. Struggling to find a recommended garage to get them done. Cheapest quote I've had so far (no idea on fitting quality) is:-

Front and Rear pad fitting charge £60
Front and Read Pad and Disc fitting charge £110

Seems expensive, or am I just being a tight ar$e??

Or do any of my fellow SCN's fancy fitting them for me? If so, how much would you charge for fitting?

Final question, will my Leon TDI 110 have solid or vented rear discs? I believe I have vented rear discs, but I have no idea!!!

Goot

 

[mrcoyote]

They're actually really easy to do, especially if you can follow the guide on the main site. Seriously though, if you can change a wheel, you can change your discs and pads.

 

[m.r.davies]

got a link?
i wouldn't mind a butchers at that

 

[Bogwoppit]

You might need a calliper rewind tool for the rear pads.

 

[Goot]

Only ever changed a wheel once! Seriously though, just don't fancy doing it myself. If I get stuck, I don't want to be without a car. It's one of those jobs I'd prefer someone else to do, or at least someone who knows helping me out.

Taking my K&N 57i off was a nightmare, until a friend showed me and turned out I was just being stupid. Still, probably wouldn't do it again without supervision. Car maintenance was never my strong point

Goot

 

[mrcoyote]

got a link?
i wouldn't mind a butchers at that

Here - http://www.seatcupra.net//knowledge...placing_pads_and_discs_on_a_leon_cupra_r.html

And Here - http://www.seatcupra.net//knowledge_base/fitting_guides/pagid_leon_brake_guide.html

Or just look through the guides section - http://www.seatcupra.net//knowledge_base/

 

[storeyd]

Personally I would not let anyone change my pads. I always do mine myself.

This is becasue i spend extra time and care. I clean up all the running surfaces, pins and clips to a sheen and ensure they are correctly copper slipped up. There are very few places that will do this and it keeps them in tip top running condition a lot longer.

Same with disc fitting. Most places just slap the new ones on without checking the run-out. I check runout with a micrometer and its very rare the first fitting is good enough.

 

[Reg]

I think you are being sensible - if you are not confident in your abilities then touching anything to do with brakes is a really bad move. Good for you for putting your hands up!

 

[Goot]

Advice please!!

Got a 2nd opinion on condition of brake pads and discs at Kwik Fit earlier:-

Car still on original brake pads and discs @ 37k miles
Discs OK
Front pads - plenty of wear left
Rear pads - need changing (they wanted to charge me £53 for OE fitted).

So my questions are, considering I'm sticking with the OE discs:-

1. Kwik Fit told me not to put performance pads on as they won't get hot enough. In the first 10mins of driving could find myself with no braking ability. Is this true? I thought the Black Diamond Predator pads were a direct replacement upgrade and helps improve braking performance even on OE discs.

2. If I replace just the rears with the Black Diamond Predator pads, will the car be uneven for braking? Or would it be recommended I replace all 4 at the same time?

3. Can you confirm whether I have solid or vented OE discs as standard?
(Sorry, question I asked earlier. Kwik Fit said I had solid discs, someone else has told me I have vented. Who is correct??)

Overall, I want better braking performance than I have now without spending a fortune over the cost of OE. Suffering occasional brake fade and don't expect this to disappear (but hoping it might be reduced?), but don't want issues with braking in first few mins as I only have a 4 mile commute to work as it is. I'm now getting confused and don't know now whether to go performance pad or stay with OE.

Your advise please because I'm now completely confused and unsure!! The cost of the Predator pads is a steal (ok, maybe not the fitting of them!) compared to other performance pads and if better than OE pads, then I'm swaying towards them....

Goot

 

[Reg]

Unless you were going for ultimate race pads, you will not have any problems on the road.

Personally, I'd stick with OE at the rear, they only do about 15% of the work so don't need expensive performance pads.

Up front, change the pads for Ferodo DS2500 (Fast road/track day pad). Very popular, very effective, very good value for money.

If you are getting fade, it could be extra heat being transfered through worn pads, then cooking the fluid. Get the fluid replaced with decent DOT 4 stuff, you'll be fine.

 

[dutton]

Just had my TDI 110 03 tested today
Passed Ok with comment discs are badly pitted and will need changing soon

Interesting the garage quoted £120 for changing all dics and pads

South yorkshire area , ask for details