Rusty Calipers, Discs and Pads

[Tallpaul]

i'm looking at a 312mm brake upgrade from a TT225.

I've found some mostly unused calipers, pads and discs ie they were taken off the TT after not much use. The problem is they've then got wet. So all the parts are corroded.

The guy says that the Piston and seals look OK but from the photo's the discs look fairly rusted, worse than just gone orange. Would these need to be skimmed? If so, how much should i expect to pay?

Also the surface of the pads and patches of their backs are rusted. The faces don't look too bad and i think a wire brush and some brake cleaner would sort them out.

These are going for buttons but i'm gonna have to buy carriers anyways so don't wanna have to spend too much getting them working as i can buy brand new the whole lot for £250.

Do they sound servicable? Is water likely to have damaged the pistons/seals? I'd have thought the related parts would be stainless?

 

[Ruddmeister]

I used to wash my car and leave it an hour and the discs were bright orange, they show rust really quick......high Iron content I guess....they cleaned up really quick with mine it would wear off after the first couple of stops.

Sure it's rust on the pad not coppergrease? that said there is a small metal backing plate on the pad which could rust

 

[Tallpaul]

I used to wash my car and leave it an hour and the discs were bright orange, they show rust really quick......high Iron content I guess....they cleaned up really quick with mine it would wear off after the first couple of stops.

Sure it's rust on the pad not coppergrease? that said there is a small metal backing plate on the pad which could rust

lol, no mate. It's 'proper' rust. Not just the oxidation that happens when you wash the car.

As for the pads, that's rust too. I'll try and post the pics...

 

[andythom]

I'd be wary of the piston and seal condition

you could be cheaper in the long run going for the 250.00 quid kit that includes everything and are in delivery condition.....

 

[Tallpaul]

Pictures

 

[Steve_B]

They're probably ok with some work to clean them up but, I wouldn't take the risk. £250 is a good price for the new kit so I'd go for that instead, after all if these brakes are knackered, you most likely won't find out until you need them most.

 

[muddyboots]

The pistons and seals get exposed to water all the time whilst on the car, so why would they be any worse ?

Give the discs and pads a bit of an initial clean up with some emery paper just to get the rough stuff off, once they're on the car brake gently a few times and they'll be good as new.
I suspect just rubbing the pad faces together by hand will clean the pads up.

 

[Tallpaul]

The pistons and seals get exposed to water all the time whilst on the car, so why would they be any worse ?

Give the discs and pads a bit of an initial clean up with some emery paper just to get the rough stuff off, once they're on the car brake gently a few times and they'll be good as new.
I suspect just rubbing the pad faces together by hand will clean the pads up.

Yeah, that's pretty much what i thought. In the end the auction went for more than i thought it'd reach so i didn't bother.

I've bought brand new 312mm vented discs, new pads, new calipers and new carriers all in for £250 instead. They are taken from pre-delivery TT225's that have spec'ed brake upgrades.

I didn't need the Calipers as they are the same as on my A3 (288mm discs). But i figured that the seals etc on 8yo/85k would need servicing sooner rather than later so i might as well change them too.

 

[m0rk]

The discs look the same as mine that have stood after 18 months.

The pistons move freely & hold fluid, the discs look exactly the same, but with minimal effort in one area had them looking like discs should do.

So I'm just sticking my race pads on (super hard compound) and will go out & wear off the rusty surface in about 3 stops.

 

[Tallpaul]

I think they went for about £50 for the calipers and £35 for the discs and pads. New Carriers are something daft like £135 for the pair. All that would be plus postage so i reckon i came out about even with £250 for the new stuff