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MG MGF Technical - New Brakes Knocking!

Hi, I have just had a new set of discs and pads fitted on my MGF. They are normal style Discs and Greenstuff pads.
Thing is - when I am slowing down, at a slow speed I hear a knocking noise coming from the brakes. I can actually feel it too.
I bought the discs and pads myself and got a local fitter to fit them for me. I noticed when he was fitting them that he found it extremly hard to get the calipers off (think thats what they were) due to a sizable screw not coming out of its place. He told me that the screw wasnt actually necessary and he drilled it flat so he could get it loose. Anyway I didnt think anything of it.
Does anyone know what could actually be the cause and if what this fitter has done has damaged it? I would just like an idea before I take it into a MGR garage and get ripped off again.

Cheers
Wez

>> He told me that the screw wasnt actually necessary and he drilled it flat so he could get it loose. Anyway I didnt think anything of it. <<

!!!!!! :-O !!!!!!!!

Let me resond with a question Wez, Given that MG-R are a size-able company that is interested in reducing costs and making profits, do you think they would fit 'unnecessary' screws to the brakes?

Up until then, i had binding / poorly fitted brake pads in mind, but, despite no knowing which screw he drilled, this seems to be the most likely cause to me. Certainly if it was unnecessary why did he need to drill it out?

Sorry, but it looks like your dealership has thier hands in your wallet again... :-(

SF
Scarlet Fever

Cheers for the reply mate.

If the reason does seem to be these screws, do you think I have a case by going back to him and telling him I expect the cost of the replacement parts paid for by them? Otherwise do you think the MGOC would be able to help in the situation or shall I just learn my lesson and pay for the damage and never use the place again?

Just out of interest how much are new calipers, do you know?

P.S My e-mail addys at the top.
Wez

Wez,

I have Emailed you.

SF
Scarlet Fever

Wez,

Horror!!!!!

If I was you I'd get an independant survey on your brakes done as quickly as possible! AA perhaps?

I spent 17 years work as an engineer for Lucas Girling (now TRW), whose brakes these are. I cannot imagine, as SF says, what these 'unnecessary' screws could possibly be. Remember, brakes don't just stop the car, they keep you alive.

He may well have replaced the screw, but is it the right one? If it's too long, it may be bottoming in whichever hole it is in, and therefore not holding the caliper tight. I'm only guessing, but get it checked.

If you can, can you get a photo of it?

Tony
Tony


Hi Wez,
my 2p on that he had to drill out the countersunk Phillips head screws that fixes the brakediscs to the hub. This is only so the disc is fastend and secured, the final clamping pressure will be when the wheel comes on and the wheelnuts are tightend. If he drilled anything else away I would be very scary and just tow the car back ! When I changed for big brakes at the front those screws were almost rusted solid despite only summer use of the car...

Regards , Carl.
Carl

Carl, I think that IS what he did as they were impossible to take out. Do you know how important these screws actually are, because when he was drilling them out he told me that they were not necessary. ??? :-(
Wez

Been doing some investigating and it appears that the discs are fitted to the hubs on the production line before the calipers are added. This means that they have to be 'tacked' to the hubs using grub screws until the calipers are fitted and that after the brakes are assembled they ARE effectively redundant, but necessary to remove when replacing the discs.

Wez, does this sound like the screws that were drilled out? If so, then i doubt they could be causing the problem and you should look to your brake pads not being fitted properly, causing them to bind on the discs. Remove and re-fit pads to cure.

SF
SF

SF,

Thats sounds right to me, because I have to give him credit - he tried really hard to get them off. Now I am really confused. I had a very quick look at the pads through the wheels (with wheels still on) last night, but obviously couldnt see much.
I am going to have to get MGR to have a look I think, as it may of even been happening before I had the brakes fitted but I just hadnt noticed. Thing is when I replaced the discs they were doing their usually signs when discs go and I could have mistaken this noise as warn discs??!!
Best of getting it checked I spose!

Cheers SF for having a look into that.
Wez

Some mamufacturers in recent years do now not even use a screw to keep the disc on during build,they now just use a push on locking washer on one of the studs.
Joe

Hi Wez,
I had exactly the same problem that you describe above >>slowing down, at a slow speed I hear a knocking noise coming from the brakes<< about 2 months back. The cause: A worn off-side brack disc. Had them replaced as a pair at my local dealer approx £60 each + labour + vat.

Regards, David
Dave

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2002 and 07/05/2002

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