Front brakes on a D3

[carlschmid2002]

This is not urgent as I now have the car in the outlaws garage. I do need to drive back to QLD in about a week though. The inside brake pad on right front wheel has disintegrated and the caliber pistons have pushed on to the disk. I haven't looked at left wheel yet as I only have one jack and no stands. Pads may have been put in back the front.I will pick up new disks and pads tomorrow from AMV in Ringwood but I am unsure what to do about the callipers. Can the pistons be replaced or is it better to replace the whole unit. I am not stuck on the roadside, but due to many places being closed over this period and the fact that I have to leave in a week I need advice for the best economical fix.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Had the brakes been serviced recently?
Probably just a yes/no answer required,, ;)

[carlschmid2002]

Yes, but in Townsville. I am stuck in Melbourne.

[Graeme]

Fitting a calliper from a recently wrecked 2.7 D4 would probably be quick and reliable compared with either simply refitting the piston after cleaning but preferably fitting a new seal kit if the cylinder is not scored. The old seal may have been damaged from passing over accumulated debris so may leak.

[carlschmid2002]

Will they fit the V8?

[Graeme]

Same calliper as the V8 which uses a larger diameter disc and calliper mounting bracket.

[Bearman]

This is not urgent as I now have the car in the outlaws garage. I do need to drive back to QLD in about a week though. The inside brake pad on right front wheel has disintegrated and the caliber pistons have pushed on to the disk. I haven't looked at left wheel yet as I only have one jack and no stands. Pads may have been put in back the front.I will pick up new disks and pads tomorrow from AMV in Ringwood but I am unsure what to do about the callipers. Can the pistons be replaced or is it better to replace the whole unit. I am not stuck on the roadside, but due to many places being closed over this period and the fact that I have to leave in a week I need advice for the best economical fix.

How bad are the pistons scoured? If they are not bad I would leave the caliper alone and just clean them up with a file/sandpaper without taking them out. The damage will be on the extremities so unlikely to damage any seals. A new rotor and pads will most likely get you on the road and home.

[carlschmid2002]

The pistons are stuffed. The caliper has no damage. The pad disappeared and the pistons have made contact with the disk. It was a horrendous noise. Left wheel is fine. I cannot find replacement pistons online. I will take the caliper in to a brake specialist to see if it can be rebuilt, if not I will be scouring the wreckers for a new caliper. I am off to AMV in Ringwood now to price pads and disks as Roverparts is shut until 18 Jan. I am probably in the best place in Australia to source parts. If I can't replace the pistons I might be in trouble.

[carlschmid2002]

Just got back from AMV in Ringwood. He was able to source all parts including a seal kit and pistons. Should have all parts by Thursday. Now I just need to get the right size torque to get the disks off and a breaker bar to undo the caliper brackets. I will post pics of the inside of the disk and brake pistons when I get it all off.

[Keithy P38]

I hope it wasn't Matty who did your brakes!

Good luck and travel safe mate

[carlschmid2002]

103615

I have all the bits I need now. I just have to put it all together and bleed the brakes.