Change the brake discs: when and why?
Brake discs, its function
The brake disk is the technical device used to slow the wheel to stop the vehicle. The hub makes connection between the wheel and the vehicle. The brake disc is placed in the bucket.
Trapping brake disc and friction created that slows the rotation of the wheel. This friction causes a significant heat has the direct consequence that a reduction in braking efficiency.
Depending on size, weight and power of the car, the disc will need a more or less efficient cooling. Therefore, there are two types of disks: solid discs and vented discs. The ventilated disc offers improved heat dissipation compared to solid disk. With this in mind, you must comply with the disc type mounted in the original version of your vehicle.
Solid discs brakes and vented discs Solid Brake Disc (left) and ventilated brake disc (right). During braking, the material loss caused by the friction between the disc and the pads causes the reduction of the size of the disk and forming a rim. Below a certain thickness, the discs must be replaced.
Change the brake discs: why?
The growing weight of vehicles braking requires forward and favors accelerated wear of the brake discs. The wear of the brake discs also varies with driving style and the type of busy roads (there will be more wear of the brake discs on winding roads than on motorways).
Therefore, it is necessary to check the state of wear or deterioration of the brake disks, and a worn brake disk is a deterioration in the quality of vehicle braking.
Change the brake discs when?
It is mandatory to change the brake discs when the minimum thickness of wear is reached or when an abnormality (scratches, warps, cracks, breaks) is detected.
- 1. The minimum thickness of wear is reached
Each brake disc has a predefined minimum thickness limit, below which must necessarily be replaced. This minimum wear limit is enrolled in the fact sheet on the disc. If the side of the brake disc is at or below the lower limit indicated, then it has to perform the replacement.
With the creation of the ridge on the edge of the disc, it is difficult to accurately measure the remaining thickness. To take a measurement of effective braking disc, the thickness must be measured in three different heights: the first near the outer rim, the second in the middle and the third near the inner edge.
Several precision tools to measure, at different points, the thickness of the brake disc. It should be noted that the foot classic king not measure worn disc brake. Indeed, it prevents the outer flange. This is why it is necessary to have a caliper disc or a gauge.
- FOR BRAKE CALIPER
- GAUGE
- 2. If a problem occurs:
- Scratch disc brake:
The stripes appear to cause a friction brake pad without coating on the disc. In fact, when there is nothing covering the metal pill holder directly attacks the disk. This creates a noise when braking.
- Warped brake disc:
A disc brake overheating caused deformation (warping) and changing its color (blue), which causes a vibration in the steering wheel when braking.
- Disc brake cracked:
The risk of crack appears when the disc is badly worn.
- Disc brake broken:
The risk of rupture occurs when the disc is weakened by rust.
For each of the above assumptions, the brake control periods that can range from 10,000 to 30,000 miles is recommended. Depending on the type of driving and setting the brake disc wear will be higher for the same vehicle. As an indication, urban use brakes wearing faster than a road or highway use.
When changing brake discs is required to change the pads at the same time . However, you can replace only the pads without changing the brake discs, if the latter are not too worn.
Changing a disc brake car, how to change it? Back to top
Remove the brake discs:
Raising the vehicle on supports column and removal of the wheels of the corresponding axle. (See safety slogan + lift your car with trestle).
Before starting the repair, it is important to distinguish two types of bracket: fixed and floating (see Change the brake calipers).
Disconnect the contact pads wear indicator connected to the vehicle, in the event that has this element. The wear indicator is an electrical cable connecting the pads to the chassis of the car. Pay attention to the path of control to ensure proper placement during assembly.
Remove the brake pads
Place the brake discs
- 1. Place the new brake discs
- Compare the new disc brake disc used to ensure that the dimensions are similar.
- Clean with the help of a cleaning paraffin brake disc brake again. This product is used to protect the disk during storage.
- Rub with the help of a wire brush wheel hub to remove any residue. It is essential to clean the bucket to remove possible vibrations when braking.
- Install the new drive in the wheel hub and replace in position (the) screw (s) or mounting clips that are sometimes supplied with the discs (depending on brand) or just recover old.
- 2. Reinstall the bracket
- Clean with a wire brush brackets brake pads
- floating Boards: reassembling the bottom bracket fixed
- Fixed Running Boards: remount the bracket