Brake recipe?

[Parisien]

.......its great starting off your fitness regime with bouts of 30 minutes of robust filing..................the hidden benefits of Maserati ownership.....


P

 

[rs48635]

I know what you mean P, bizarre isn't it... basic engineering......measure the gap, make a pad that fits said gap..... but no.....27 layers of paint on a backing plate that's 2mm too big...... and on a caliper that needs to stop 400 horses!!

Maybe the pads are the right size? I had same issue with my green grippers AND the standard pads fitted before those.

Turns out my calipers had "plate lift". Caused by corrosion in alloy caliper, causing stainless plate to lift and squeeze the pads, trapping them. This can cause pads to bind on disk, maybe overheat and vibrate, generally make brakes feel grumbly / poor. Fitted replacement calipers whicle I refurb the orignals and all is okay again.

aliquoy
btw - it is possible to rmeove caliper and leave brakeline intact. Just unhook the hard line fron the slot in the strut, held in place by small (drity) circlip. There will then be as mall amount of play in the flexible line, enough to get the caliper off and hang it from wire coat hanger.

 

[Parisien]

RS...had mentioned this to my mechanic, but no evidence of plate lift.

Ditto re caliper.........far easier less hassle!


P

 

[aliquot]

i can see what you mean about plate lift, mine does look a little bulged at the far edge, so that could be a job for next time, get some replacement plates, as i assume they just unscrew with an allen key. Since grinding down they drop in nicely.

 

[Parisien]

Guys...just done a round trip of 60 odd miles...compared to warped discs on front and old original discs on back.....smoother, nicer feel to pedal....bit more bite.....fab.....really pleased ...no noise whatsoever...


P

 

[rs48635]

i can see what you mean about plate lift, mine does look a little bulged at the far edge, so that could be a job for next time, get some replacement plates, as i assume they just unscrew with an allen key. Since grinding down they drop in nicely.

If only..............
The small plate is held in with a mushroom headed allen bolt, but fixed at a 45 degree angle, meainig it is difficult to get at. To make it harder the bolt is often fixed with loctite, then the plate is corroroded on.
Apparently the bolt is often removed by cold chisel / punch / welding on a nut / chopping off. !!!

 

[Parisien]

Rs.....didn't you post up pics and or a link before on this?

P

 

[Emtee]

Yes I remember you mentioning this at the time RS and I'm sure you had photo's? Fortunately my plates were fine, and so it was just a case of filing down the ends of the new pad backing plates to fit with a little spare allowed for expantion under heat.

 

[aliquot]

how do i get the sensor off an existing pad, or do i need to get a new sensor (cable)

Apart from that job done, all bedded in and looking good.

 

[Emtee]

how do i get the sensor off an existing pad, or do i need to get a new sensor (cable)

Apart from that job done, all bedded in and looking good.

Hi steve, it's in tracks. With the pad front facing you, with the top and bottom of the pad at 9 and 3 o'clock, pull it vertically, though be careful not to rip off the wiring. A bit of gentle persuasion with a screw driver will help.

Em.

 

[aliquot]

thanks, will try that tomorrow then, bit disconcerting with the red flashing light on the dash.

 

[Parisien]

Sometimes its sorta difficult to dislodge in one piece......and fragile....take it gently!


P

 

[Emtee]

Steve, what's flashing?

 

[Parisien]

Must be the brake wear light....or......................?!

P

 

[aliquot]

the red brake light on the top of the dash is on, and then a smaller brake light is flashing next the the gear display. I have the sensor disconnected at the moment, but will transplant it later so should solve the issue. Car running nicely though, so quite pleased with myself.

 

[aliquot]

new brakes now warn in, stopping power increased, and no lights on the dash. Result !!!

 

[jamesc69]

final reassurance sought !!

Hi Verdyrk10

Great great post, but as i am useless with a spanner I intend to take my Gransport to Marios at Autoshield in Manchester for its annual service and MOT. i am sure the front discs will also need replacing.
I mentioned that forum members had discovered that Ferrari 550 discs could be fitted at a much lower cost.
Autoshield said that although he had never fitted 550 discs, he would be quite happy to do so if i supplied the parts.

So before biting the bullet and ordering the parts (listed below) I just wanted to check 100% that they are a straight replacement for the Gransport OEM discs and pads??

Complete set of 550 ferrari marenello brembo discs front prt No BDS5670 & BDS5671 rear
complete set of pads, I used mintex for mine prt No MDB 1752 fronts & MDB1456 rears

Just seeking reassurance before I take the plunge really as Autoshield say they will try and fit them but at my risk !!!

Thanks
James

 

[aliquot]

Hi James

Those worked a treat for me (exactly what i ordered), and i'm a bit of a novice with a spanner (better with a large hammer). The only tricky bit was grinding down the pads slightly to get them in, but once i got myself a grinder, was a breeze.

Steve

 

[Parisien]

James, these details are on the forum somewheres, aint had time to put all on the alternative parts thread.........do a search for Brembos and all the info will come up.....good luck with the service, pass my regards onto Marios for me!


P

 

[stylo]

Hi all, my 4200 needs new discs and pads - discs damaged on the inside apparently due to road debris, dirt etc etc. Using Autofficina who are happy to fit parts that I specify - they ordered in the greengripper pads from Belfast but seems that the Brembo discs are not in stock - well the AP brakes and other websites imply they are but if you call they say they aren't in for at least 2 weeks. It looks like people don't really hold these items in stock they just order from the UK distributor for Brembo when they get a customer order. Any other suggestions for stockists who may hold stock in the UK? Very keen on saving 1K on this piece of work compared to the "official" disc option. May also investigate European car part companies as well.

Thanks
Adam