Car brakes

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Lizard1977

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#94478 12-Dec-2011 18:14

So I had to get my brakes serviced. Needed new pads front and rear, and the rotors were beyond machining so they needed replacing, front and rear also. That's fine, but driving it round I can hear a scraping sound coming from the front in particular. It sounds like someone dragging a heavy metal plate over concrete. I can hear it quietly when driving straight, at slow speeds, but most when cornering.

Is this normal, just part of wearing in the new parts, or should I be calling the workshop in the morning?

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8965 posts

Uber Geek

#557138 12-Dec-2011 18:23

Call the workshop - you shouldn't hear any grinding noises.

It's most likely one of the springs or shims that position the pad touching the rotor surface, probably a very quick fix.

Lizard1977

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#557140 12-Dec-2011 18:29

Thanks for that. I'm always paranoid about these sorts of things, and hate looking like a fool when it's something simple and everyday...

RunningMan

8965 posts

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#557150 12-Dec-2011 19:00

If it's what I think it is, it's pretty simple, but shouldn't really happen.

Of course there's always the possibilty it is something more serious, and brakes are the last thing you should be taking a chance with!

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#557896 14-Dec-2011 14:16

That noise you are hearing generally happens when the brake shoe has totally worn through. Ie, its now metal on metal when you brake. If you leave it too long you will have to replace your brake disks or get them reworked, and that can be costly.

If they have just recenly been replaced I would take the car back, strong posibility that the mechanic has missed something

Lizard1977

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#557911 14-Dec-2011 14:51

Took it back to the mechanic yesterday. He fitted the wrong rotors, and they were too large. He swapped them out and it's all fine now... Thanks for all the replies!

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#557929 14-Dec-2011 15:14

Never use that mechanic again for anything.
It's obvious he didn't test drive it. Or even do a basic check.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#557931 14-Dec-2011 15:20

TheUngeek: Never use that mechanic again for anything.
It's obvious he didn't test drive it. Or even do a basic check.

Better still - Report him.

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TheUngeek

924 posts

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#557933 14-Dec-2011 15:22

Thinking more, what the hell did he mean too large?
So now your calipers have been gouged out? I'd be getting it checked again if I was you.

shall0w

80 posts

Master Geek

#557940 14-Dec-2011 15:31

By too large he may have meant to wide so the calipers may be fine, just a bit of wear on the pads.

But as others have said, that's very poor workmanship.

TheUngeek

924 posts

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#557943 14-Dec-2011 15:38

If it was wide enough to be making noises then it was hitting something it shouldn't.
Putting a wider rotor in will just push the pistons back further. no problem. unless it's contacting the caliper.
Pads in a disc brake are in constant contact with the rotor.

RunningMan

8965 posts

Uber Geek

#557945 14-Dec-2011 15:41

Depending on the exact vehicle / caliper etc., if the rotor was a few mm too large, it may have been dragging on the pad retaining springs - that would account for the reasonably quiet noise.

If they were interferring with the caliper itself, I'd expect a much louder, obvious noise.

Glad to hear it's all sorted. It's also good that they've got the guts to say they made a mistake, and then put it right - others may well have just fixed it, and not told you of the error.

Lizard1977

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#557949 14-Dec-2011 15:48

I was surprised about the noise and would have expected them to roadtest to check for problems. I'm happy they fronted and accepted their mistake but it does worry me that other problems might have been overlooked which aren't immediately apparent. Who is the regulating body for mechanics? MTA?

Talkiet

4793 posts

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#557953 14-Dec-2011 15:51

RunningMan: If it's what I think it is, it's pretty simple, but shouldn't really happen.

Of course there's always the possibilty it is something more serious, and brakes are the last thing you should be taking a chance with!

Second to last thing actually... Steering is more critical:-)

(Having been looking at Quick Release steering wheel adaptors for a sports car I have run across a few catastrophic failures in the last few days... I'd MUCH rather have lost my brakes :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

RunningMan

8965 posts

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#557954 14-Dec-2011 15:51

Most are members of the MTA. Not 100% sure, but I think membership is voluntary.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#557956 14-Dec-2011 15:53

Lizard1977: Who is the regulating body for mechanics? MTA?

Not sure. If they MTA approved then get hold of the MTA group and find out from them.

If they not MTA approved I don't think you have a case.

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