Brake servicing

[Paddy_R]

Now I know this has been said before (usually by [MENTION=29]foxspeed[/MENTION] ) but the front brakes on the Clio really do need an annual service.

I was changing the disks (to Tarox F2000 from [MENTION=1272]Fernandez[/MENTION] ), pads (to Ferodo DS2500), lines (to Hel) and fluid (to Motul RBF660) today so naturally I had to do take all these parts off the car. Now the lines, fluid and disks went on no problem but the pads and pins was a different story.

Now my car is less than 3 years old and has just turned 19,000 miles so. I was expecting an easy job. I was very wrong. Pins on passenger side came out straight with a couple of good bangs with a hammer. The outside pad came out easily but the inside pad was seized solid. This pad was a nightmare to get out and to get at requiring hammering etc to get it shifted. Finally it moved and came out and it was clear that the bottom edge had rusted to the caliper. It had also at some point got enough heat into the pads that they were starting to fail and fall apart. The drivers side had the same pad issue with the inside pad (with similar effects to the pads inself) however the pins here were also rock solid and refusing to move. They eventually came out however theyre not straight. Thankfully I had new pins (thanks [MENTION=2479]mrpink[/MENTION] ) which were a perfect fit and much better quality. I used some a Mintex Cera Tec brake lubricant to ensure the pads don't seize again too.

I will now be doing an annual strip down just to be sure.

Now to do the rears.....

 

[Foxspeed]

such a common issue this!

mine always had a yearly strip/clean/lube around april time

I have used the certec lube but found it actually washed off over the year and didn't last as good old copper grease....and before certain people kick off it was used on the metal/metal areas etc

the rears are also a must!!!

 

[Paddy_R]

I didn't realise how bad they could get on such a new car. Hopefully now I've done them once they won't get too bad on a yearly basis.

For all the time it would take (an hour max) a brake service should be offered by Renault or be part of the normal service on a car with these brakes (Clio or Megane).

 

[Foxspeed]

I didn't realise how bad they could get on such a new car. Hopefully now I've done them once they won't get too bad on a yearly basis.

For all the time it would take (an hour max) a brake service should be offered by Renault or be part of the normal service on a car with these brakes (Clio or Megane).

some dealers do - harratts wakefield offered it after I spoke them about an "extra" they could offer rs people would want doing :thumbsup:

 

[MartyMoore]

I just did my pads on the front and cleaned down the rear. The difference in brakes in unreal. I will be doing it every 6 months

 

[aaron-rs197]

an example of piss-poor maintenance.

 

[Mentalpen]

blimey! surprised it got through it last mot with those tbh even if it was 12 months ago.

 

[Foxspeed]

View attachment 9068

an example of piss-poor maintenance.

very common that done many disc/pads changes and a lot were like that!

 

[Jimmy]

I wanted to bump this thread up to the top just to give those who may not know, or are new to 197/200 ownership, a reminder of how important correct and prompt brake servicing is on our cars. There have been a couple of posts and threads recently on the subject, so I thought it was a good time to get this out there again.

As well as the servicing on the fronts in relation to the pins sticking, attention for the rear calipers is just as important. If the slides in the calipers are not kept adequately greased then they can stick and cause the rear brakes to seize/bind. This in turn can damage the pads and discs.

Most garages will be able to carry out this service for you, but do be sure to stress exactly what it is you want doing (from recent personal experience, there is a chance that this may not be done satisfactorily...)

If you wish to do the servicing yourself, guides from the forum can be found at the following links for the fronts and rears

Thread made sticky. If anyone wants to add anything, go for it

 

[sevenfourate]

I bought my car 10 days ago - knowing the brakes were not "top notch". I of course knocked the dealer on the price accordingly. After reading (And printing off this very thread for my mechanic) i ordered a new set of pins, pad retaining clips, anti-seize compound etc and booked car in for a "full brake service and fluid change", handbrake adjust etc

Not sure when mine were last done - but all i can say was the change is black and white, night and day, chalk and cheese.

And as expected and reported, the inside rear pad on both rear calipers was binding, the front pins needed replacing etc, and i think i had a sticky piston (or two).

I had a couple of other bits done, and i'm guessing the work to the brakes alone was around £120 (?). Not cheap - but the difference in feel, response and power is worth way-way more.



Shouldnt be as much next time. and is definitely something i will tie in with my car being looked at / worked on in future.

 

[chris1888-197]

Yeah m8 these brakes on the 197/200 are one thing you really need to keep on top of. I did mine last year and had to drill one of the pins out! Poor as I am a mechanic and knowing the issue should never have left them as long as I did. Difference was unbelievable after service. Hope you enjoy the new car mate.

 

[Rishi]

I'll be changing my brakes this weekend, first time they've ever been off (30k/58 plate) and i'm trying to pre-empt any issues i may encounter.

I've bought a set of replacement pins, i'm just worried the old ones won't knock out... appreciate any advice on how to deal with it if they don't come out.

Cheers!

 

[Lewjew]

A hammer and punch should get them out if they don't pull straight out

 

[tomwigan]

ended up having to gut a section out of the middle of the pins in mine and then knock each side out with a hammer and punch

 

[petercronin]

Think I'll need to up my cleaning frequency, this is 1 year and 1 month and about 8200 miles since it was last done. The pad was well and truely stuck in the caliper and fell to bits when I took it out....




Im surprise the car wasn't pulling under braking or making loads of noise.

 

[Vasterad]

:zomg:

I'd suggest to service Brembos each 3-4 months like I do.

 

[montana]

Think I'll need to up my cleaning frequency, this is 1 year and 1 month and about 8200 miles since it was last done. The pad was well and truely stuck in the caliper and fell to bits when I took it out....




Im surprise the car wasn't pulling under braking or making loads of noise.

Wow, what pads where those Peter ?

 

[petercronin]

Wow, what pads where those Peter ?

Ds2500's

 

[Chris]

Blimey they are shanked!!

 

[sevenfourate]

Blimey they are shanked!!

Interesting term.

You a golfer ?