Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Britpart Pads and Discs
Hi all, not been on the Forum much lately, just been enjoying using my D4, and using it as the workhorse they are.
Thought I’d post this for info, both the good and bad bits of it.
In May 2020 I needed to replace the rear discs on my 65plate D4 HSE LUX, and as the front ones were not that far behind in terms of end of life I bit the bullet and changed both ends.
I decided to use Britpart Vented and Grooved discs with matching pads.
Note the EPB pads had very recently been changed so were just cleaned up and refitted.
From my service record:
16th May 2020 – 48,108 miles
Rear Slotted / Grooved Brake Discs – Britpart - DA4613
Front Slotted / Grooved Brake Discs – Britpart - DA4624
Rear Brake Pads – Britpart XS - LR055454
Front Brake Pads – Britpart XS - LR051626
I’ve been really pleased with the performance of this combination on the Vehicle, even when towing my boat.
My service schedule for the car includes checking the Brake Pads every 5K miles when I change the Engine Oil. I take each wheel off and check the pads by looking down the sides of the Disc. It’s a great way to also give the driveshaft gaiters and everything else under the wheelarch a quick check over at the same time.
But I’ve been keeping an eye on the front pads recently through the wheel spokes as I knew they were getting low and I was getting a bit surprised at how long they had lasted.
Fast forward to 10th Oct 2022, the D4 is now at 71,906 miles, and the MOT is being carried out this week. Months ago I’d put some replacement front pads and sensor in stock so I had them if I pushed my luck too far and the sensor tripped.
The Front pads were in need of replacement, although the sensor hasn’t tripped, and the front disks have a lip on them, but are well within spec.
The Rear pads are only @1/2 worn with a barely noticeable lip on the discs.
I’m happy with that after @23,800 miles.
I changed them yesterday and am pleased that not only are all 4 front pads very evenly worn, but both pairs of pistons pushed back into the Caliper body with just pressure from my thumbs.
Not sure I’ve ever had that on a 72K mile vehicle on it’s original calipers.
However, I’m not quite as happy now I’ve removed the pads and changed them, as I’m going to have to order some new Front Discs as well.
My inspection methods don’t pay any attention to the reverse side of the discs, and of course it’s 99% covered by the shield anyway, so to see it you need to remove the Caliper and pad, then spin the disc so it’s whole surface passes through the gap. Who does this!
Anyway, when I removed the back pad on the drivers side disc I found this:
A large metal inclusion in the material of the pad which has worn a huge groove @ 1mm deep in the surface of the disc. The groove is a real weak point and I’ll be ordering a pair of discs today.
The inclusion is no doubt a larger lump of the metal particles used in the pad material.
I’ve sent some images off to Britpart for comment, and asked if they’d contribute to the cost of the new discs, but am not expecting an answer.
Their warranty policy is for 2yrs, which they are out of, and also that I should go through the distributor I purchased through, but I can’t remember who that was.
Despite keeping a very detailed service record I don’t keep receipts any more or put on the record where the parts came from, which I may well do from now on.
Now I know what you are thinking, surely this could be heard in the car when braking, but I'd certainly not noticed it.
Perhaps from outside the car it could have been heard, but the inside of a D4 is so well insulated from what's going on outside and mechanically that I was completely oblivious to any additional braking noise.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
Last edited by Nasher on 11th Oct 2022 12:40 pm. Edited 2 times in total
11th Oct 2022 8:50 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4252
Great write up, will be interested to see how you get on ! I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
11th Oct 2022 12:27 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20853
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
Sorry DM, the Blue box is not relevant.
It was a useful empty box the guys I brought some other parts from a while ago gave me to carry the parts home.
It was handy beside my bench to use as a better background for the image than the dark bench top that the pad would just blend in to/.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
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