Zafira brakes

I've just noticed a faint 'graunching' when I brake. Car has done
20,000 miles from new ( 06 model ) and i'm a careful driver who isn't
heavy on the brakes! There looks to be plenty of meat left on the
pads. It has alloy wheels and brakes are exposed ...i'm thinking
( hoping ) the noise is due to dirt getting in there, particularly as
the roads I deriove can get messy! Anyone got any comments on similar
experiences / expected pad life... etc. Braking efficiency seems fine

 

Is it a noise you can hear or something you can feel through the pedal?

Do you get any impression of it coming from either the front or the rear?

And how do the surfaces of the discs look, both inner and outer faces. If
you turn the front wheels full lock you should be able to get a look from
under the front at the inner faces, to see if their is any bad scoring.

Mike

 

if the discs/pads have never been looked at, then i would be inclined to pop
them off [very easy] look at the surfaces of the discs for scouring, clean
the whole lot in meths , brush off all the dust etc on the slides then use
some copper slip and pop everything back
if you are not diy then keep an eye on it [or ear.]

it would also not hurt to actually be a bit brutal one time, do a couple of
emer stops from say 30mph, nothing better than that to reseat a jumped pad!
also it will let you know the abs is working too!


mike

 

Thanks for the pointers... I've tried to be harsh with the brakes and
that has improved it no end! Planning to have a look on Sunday. Will
post back

 

glad to help

let us know

mike

Thanks for the pointers... I've tried to be harsh with the brakes and
that has improved it no end! Planning to have a look on Sunday. Will
post back

 

I got 33k out of my Zafira pads, but then it *was* the GSi