Fitted new discs and pads today

[PhilipA]

I was busy on ebay last week and bought new RDA grooved front discs from RapidRS and rear RDA discs from 4WDparts .

RapidRS were great as the listing was a bit confusing but we soon worked it out. The listing said Tdi and they took it from the RDA catalogue but the discs were actually for D2.
Bought Bendix 4wd pads front and rear on Justin's recommendation
.
Miraculously all the parts were correct and it all came apart and went together well, and the pedal feel is much better. One of the rear discs didn't want to come off, but a hammer and some gas torch got it to move.
The old front discs were about 21.3MM, so they were really stuffed. With the thin discs and worn out pads I had a big job to push the caliper cylinders in. I must have sucked out about 500Ml of fluid from the master cylinder. I changed the fluid completely about 2 months ago so it is clean throughout.

I have Monroe TFT shocks on order for delivery next week so I will report on what they are like. I feel better about paying good money for shocks branded by a manufacturer , than buying "own brand", and they did make OME shocks . They have a 3 year warranty so should be good.

I have also changed my 18 inch rims for 16s and will be getting Bridgestone RD 697s in 245 70 16 on Monday or Tuesday. Kmart have LTs for $230each for 5 which is a bargain. I had 694s on my RRC and they were really good so I am looking forward to the 697s. Already with worn out old Michelins 255 65 16s on the 16s the ride is much better

Regards Philip A

[Yorkie]

Kmart have LTs for $230each for 5 which is a bargain. I had 694s on my RRC and they were really good so I am looking forward to the 697s. Already with worn out old Michelins 255 65 16s on the 16s the ride is much better

Regards Philip A

i was quoted $213ea from my bridgestone shop, f&b. looking at these for mine. :)

[PhilipA]

Thanks for that. I will call my nearest Bridgestone Select dealer ASAP.
Regards Philip A

[PhilipA]

Well I called the Local Bridgestone centre, who quoted me the same $230 as the kmart store.
On my question whether he recommended a 245 70 tyre on an 8 inch rim he refused to fit saying that it was too narrow . ( I must admit I have been thinking this also ) On my asking what 255 65 16 tyre he recommended he told me a D697 would be $280.

So I had a rethink and went back to the Tempe Tyres Ebay page offering BFG ATKO 255 70 16 at $255. I rang them and they offered $250 each for 5 fitted and balanced. Seeing the recommended retail is something like $394 , I believe that they imported some containers when the AUD was way up. My guess is that is why Tirerack was threatened by BFG to not export to Australia.

So I made the trek down to Tempe Tyres and bought them and I couldn't be happier. They are about 30.1 inches so the speedo is about 3% slow and they fit just about exactly on the rear door without flipping the bracket.
I checked the wheel nut tensions and they were just about the correct 100Ft lbs, even though the fitter had rattled away for what seemed minutes. The pressures were of course 42PSI so I let a lot out and will cold check them later.

I have had BFG ATs now for 36 years and never had a sidewall go, or any production problem. I did have a lot of chipping on one set when I had a Detroit Locker and did a lot of mountain work. In Fact I have never had a flat tyre caused by anything but nails in the city.

Although I had a great run from the D694s , I bought them because they were cheap and I have always wanted to get back to BFG AT KOs.
I hope they perform like past sets, and the aggressive tyres and the new brakes should help the Traction control cope maybe without a centre diff lock.
BTW Tempe Tyres are a slick outfit and I recommend them.
Regard sPhilip A