Skimming the brake discs on a RRS

I was at GM-H when the change to front disc brakes as standard equipment was made during the production life of the HQ. V8's, Premier/Brougham/Statesman had discs as standard and 6 cylinder Belmont/Kingswood had drum brakes as standard and discs as an option. The heavy duty drum brake option was withdrawn with the advent of the HQ. Chrysler still had a HD drum option. I don't recall what Ford did. I was the service rep. to the taxi industry for a while. Taxi owners are, to put it mildly, bloody lousy. It was often pointed out to me by owners who kept detailed records of their operating costs that disc brakes were a higher cost per mile than drums. They wanted the heavy duty drum brake option returned to the options list. One owner pointed out that their cabs operated in stop/start city traffic, rarely exceeded 40 mph, and did not need to decelerate from 200 mph at the end of the Mulsanne Straight. They were particularly hostile about the need to replace discs. Drums lasted the life of the vehicle if the linings were not allowed to get so worn as to have metal to metal contact.

I still have most of a roll of woven asbestos lining for use on historic cars. Hard moulded linings don't work well on mechanical brakes.

A lot of it is how you use your brakes. With high powered, heavy, automatic vehicles the reliance on brakes is far higher than it ever used to be.

My RRC had it's rotors replaced a bit past 300,000km. But those are open road km's, it has a lot of engine braking, a manual gearbox and the drivers weren't hard on brakes.
Point and squirt in a RRS is a completely different game.:angel:

Not to mention, the traction control on these also works the brakes. There was none of that in the good-old-days.

Nice story Brian, but to what effect? The world has moved on a little since the days of HQ Holdens.

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Originally Posted by BigJon

Nice story Brian, but to what effect? The world has moved on a little since the days of HQ Holdens.

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I am bitching about having to replace the front discs on my poxy Falcon ute. Third set in 200,000 k's. Should not have to replace iron discs that are rubbed by softer material. Up to me I would have just machined them smooth and bugger the recommended thickness. I don't like paying to replace things that should not have to be replaced. Pads/linings yes, they are wear items. Drums/discs no. They should not wear out.

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I am bitching about having to replace the front discs on my poxy Falcon ute. Third set in 200,000 k's. Should not have to replace iron discs that are rubbed by softer material. Up to me I would have just machined them smooth and bugger the recommended thickness. I don't like paying to replace things that should not have to be replaced. Pads/linings yes, they are wear items. Drums/discs no. They should not wear out.

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Therin lies the problem Brian, The later Falcon has and still does have a shocking reputation for brake discs and pad wear. I have to service numerous ED/F, AU etc and find the discs warp horrifically and the pads wear away in 25 to 30,000km quite often. A shocking design. I now use the cheapest set of discs I can get and the best pads I can get and this helps to prevent the steering wheel jumping out of your hand when downhill braking for about 20,000km....

These vehicles are getting worse not better. Designing in a gear ratio that requires the brakes to be applied on almost every descent is a recipe for brake wear, at least in our Lexus when you apply the brakes when descending a hill the 5 speed autotrans is smart enough to downshift and engage the TC lock for you, seemlessly:).

JC

JC, I won't even consider machining Falcon front rotors. There is just no point considering they warp so badly.
I also always use a torque wrench when tightening the wheel nuts, as a rattle gun can pull the disc out of true (happened to a mates BA XR6T when he had tyres fitted. Near brand new slotted and drilled rotors warped by heavy handed tyre fitters).

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I am bitching about having to replace the front discs on my poxy Falcon ute.

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Brake discs are a wear item. They need replacing every now and then.

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Originally Posted by BigJon

JC, I won't even consider machining Falcon front rotors. There is just no point considering they warp so badly.
I also always use a torque wrench when tightening the wheel nuts, as a rattle gun can pull the disc out of true (happened to a mates BA XR6T when he had tyres fitted. Near brand new slotted and drilled rotors warped by heavy handed tyre fitters).

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Same here, they are a bin job for EVERY pad change, and especially if warped.
Interesting about the wheel nuts, must rememeber that:p I never rattle them up except to the 'light nip' stage as they are toy sized studs, and I have a VERY grunty Wurth rattle gun:o:D
Gee these cars are light duty poorly assembled rubbish ...:p

JC

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Originally Posted by BigJon

Brake discs are a wear item. They need replacing every now and then.

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Only if you use them.:angel:

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Originally Posted by BigJon

Brake discs are a wear item. They need replacing every TIME

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There, I fixed it for you mate....:D