Who's Responsible?

[bolo 2]

The 200 miles I drove was the first mileage since the fitting of the new discs and pads. Since I want to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen again, would it be worth my while taking the car to another garage to get a report on the brake parts on the offside rear wheel (excluding of course the new pads and disc)? Apart from baldy kev’s handbrake release and the caliper would there be anything else to check? And if such a service is available, what would I expect to pay for such a check?

 

[Burnerman]

I’d recommend giving the car a few more miles than this, ensuring that you brake hard from time to time.....after all, 200 motorway miles may not use the brakes at all.
A check though, after a run, test the temperature of the wheel hubs by hand......any dragging and the wheel involved will be warmer than the others.
Tip - dont touch the disc with your finger, you’ll burn it!
John

 

[bolo 2]

Although I didn't think about the others, I did actually touch the offending disc with my finger and it was just slightly warm. Before arriving home, the last 20 miles or so did involve a fair bit of braking due to winding roads and around 20 or so roundabouts.

 

[Mottie]

Smell it, it will be different from the others as you can normally smell a binding brake.

 

[Burnerman]

Everything seems just fine, right now!
John

 

[bolo 2]

Head office have authorised a FOC diagnostic check on brakes on Thursday but friends say that there is no way that they will admit to be at fault especially if they are. What say you guys?

 

[Burnerman]

I'll bet they find nothing wrong whatsoever with the braking system, and they'll say that the pads do tend to stick to the discs if the car is parked up wet for a while. That part is correct.
I'd love to hear the explanation though, of why only one side pads wore thin....that should be interesting! They'll probably say the brake fluid wasn't replaced every year, or some associated crap
Thanks for remembering to post back, and we look forward to the outcome!
John

 

[bolo 2]

I'd love to hear the explanation though, of why only one side pads wore thin

You will, because I won’t leave until I do get an explanation.

They'll probably say the brake fluid wasn't replaced every year, or some associated crap

.......and if they do I’ll tell them it’s their fault since they’ve serviced it since new.

 

[Keithmac]

Both the pads and discs were from Juratek. I've used them in the past and had nothing but good results.
I think you'll find that for the past 20 years or so, like everything else, the majority of brake discs have been manufactured in China.
It doesn't matter what brand you buy or, what marque it is for, there is a strong possibility that your new discs, or whatever else you buy, will originate in China.
Edit; In Tenerife we have a Seat Leon 1.9D 2010. I had to put discs and pads on it in November. It has 5 spoke alloys. Guess what is stamped on one of the spokes inside the wheel. MADE IN CHINA. I'm quite sure wheels won't be the only thing that the VW/audi group source in that country.

"Made in China" is a can of worms really.

They build/ make things to a price so the same factory can churn out cheap rubbish but also very good quality parts (depending on buyers specification).

I've seen camchains that have let go at 500 miles (Chinese 125 scooters) but I've also seen very well machined engine parts that could have easily had "Made in Japan" stamped on them.

More companies are moving over to Chinese production, but they are building their own plants with tight quality control etc.

Brakes wise I'd only stick to a recognised brand, Brembo/ EBC/ Pagid etc.. Even Mintex have had problems with pad compounds failing and they are not cheap.

I've never seen pad material been ripped off a pad that is only a few month old regardless of disk condition, if you think about what the put up with braking 2 tons from 100mph (even 70) I would put those pads straight in the bin personally..

BMW have plant in China producing their 2 series now, Harley Davidson parts are made in China (made me laugh when I read that on back of their genuine parts package!).

We wouldn't have gone anywhere near a Chinese produced motorcycle 10 years ago, we now sell them and have a very good reliability record. They are a completely different animal from.10 years ago. Having said that this is a premium brand.

Piaggio group now have multiple bikes that are Chinese produced so just be careful when you pay extra for an "Italian" motorcycle.

 

[Stivino]

Often components fail because, they have been designed to fail.

i.e. If a buyer specifies let's say a chain, provides the drawings, specifies the materials/metals to be used etc, a price is then agreed.
The said chain could meet all the specifications defined in the order and pass all the quality control checks because it has been built as specified. It might still fail prematurely. Not because it has been made in China because, after all, the Chinese factory did exactly what they were commissioned to do.
Quality control is normally done by a third party, i.e. not done in house. You wouldn't want the manufacturer, or the designer, doing the quality control, would you?
So, you design it.
Someone builds it.
Someone else checks it.
Who is to blame if the product fails?

 

[bolo 2]

Brake diagnostic report:
"Rear brakes brand new.
Front pads 4mm advise replacement and descale".
Nomention of caliper but pushed for an answer to "why the one brake", manager now agrees caliper at fsult and will contact head office.

 

[Burnerman]

Well, the manager finally came to the obvious conclusion it would seem!
I’d like to see the bill if that dealership replaces the front discs and pads
Thanks for the report, it is appreciated.
John

 

[bolo 2]

The manager was clearly on my side (and your's Burnerman), admitting that the caliper had to be the root cause. And I've no doubt that he will try for recompense. He did not agree that the front brake pads, 4mm thick, needed replacing and that was really honest of him. The problem with all big dealers is that while the sales teams try to meet targets, the service guys can destroy the customer /dealer relationship by charging £120.00+ for an hours labour. And it is for that reason we are now considering changing our car dealer.

 

[Stivino]

I think if my pads were down to 4mm, I'd be looking to replace them.

 

[Keithmac]

I give customers an estimated milage if the pads are boarderline, most have them replaced and all appreciate an honest opinion.

How much meat is on a new pad?, I bet 4mm is 50% worn.

Tricky for the dealer if there's a high service interval milage as the brakes will be expected to last until next service.

The manufacturers pus the services to 2 years/ 20,000 miles or more to make the service plans look good (cheap) for leasing companies but in reality you'd want to half that mileage (imho).