Help with S2 brakes !!!
Discussion
I recently bought a 2001 S2 with 17k miles on the clock. Everything was fine with the car and I have done about 500 miles since picking it up last month with no problems.
I went on holiday for 10 days and left the Elise standing on the drive unused. I got back last Saturday and took the car out for a spin but noticed a grinding/scraping noise coming from the front wheels - more noticable on braking.
I thought is was just rust which had built up on the surface of the discs but the noise got worse, turing into vibration under heavy braking. Towards the end of the journey (no more than 10 miles) it was so bad that braking from 40-50mph caused the whole car to vibrate.
From what I can see the pads all look fine, although I haven't taken the wheels off yet. I'm no expert but have changed pads before so am willing to have a look myself before paying somebody to look at it.
Just wondered if you guys had any ideas before I start taking everything to pieces.
I went on holiday for 10 days and left the Elise standing on the drive unused. I got back last Saturday and took the car out for a spin but noticed a grinding/scraping noise coming from the front wheels - more noticable on braking.
I thought is was just rust which had built up on the surface of the discs but the noise got worse, turing into vibration under heavy braking. Towards the end of the journey (no more than 10 miles) it was so bad that braking from 40-50mph caused the whole car to vibrate.
From what I can see the pads all look fine, although I haven't taken the wheels off yet. I'm no expert but have changed pads before so am willing to have a look myself before paying somebody to look at it.
Just wondered if you guys had any ideas before I start taking everything to pieces.
The old chestnut 
Do a search on the forum, there have a number of posts on this subject.
From the circumstances you describe this is nothing to worry about.
It sounds like surface corrosion to me.
(Disclaimer mode on)Of course with any problem relating to the braking system care should be taken, and if you're unsure get a professional to look at the car (Disclaimer mode off)
However, when I have experienced similar problems I go on a good run, with plenty of braking not down the motorway. I left foot brake on the straights (checking there is no one behind me getting confused).
Get eveything nice and warm, and work those brakes hard but safely. This clears the problem. It can be disconcerting at first due to noise/vibration etc., so gradually build braking pressure to ensure braking efficiency is maintained, and build up confidence levels.
Tips to prevent reoccurence, park on the flat and don't use the handbrake, I cruise to a stop to keep the pads 'off' the discs when parking up.
If the car can be garaged all the better, some owners use full covers to protect from the elements. Also, try to avoid inclement weather driving immediately prior to leaving the car for long periods, this will increase the level of corrosion on the discs and make things feel alot worse.
This is a problem with disc brakes on all cars, you just notice it alot more in an Elise due to the nature of its design.
Regards, Neil
Do a search on the forum, there have a number of posts on this subject.
From the circumstances you describe this is nothing to worry about.
It sounds like surface corrosion to me.
(Disclaimer mode on)Of course with any problem relating to the braking system care should be taken, and if you're unsure get a professional to look at the car (Disclaimer mode off)
However, when I have experienced similar problems I go on a good run, with plenty of braking not down the motorway. I left foot brake on the straights (checking there is no one behind me getting confused).
Get eveything nice and warm, and work those brakes hard but safely. This clears the problem. It can be disconcerting at first due to noise/vibration etc., so gradually build braking pressure to ensure braking efficiency is maintained, and build up confidence levels.
Tips to prevent reoccurence, park on the flat and don't use the handbrake, I cruise to a stop to keep the pads 'off' the discs when parking up.
If the car can be garaged all the better, some owners use full covers to protect from the elements. Also, try to avoid inclement weather driving immediately prior to leaving the car for long periods, this will increase the level of corrosion on the discs and make things feel alot worse.
This is a problem with disc brakes on all cars, you just notice it alot more in an Elise due to the nature of its design.
Regards, Neil
Aggree - cant have been that much corosion over 10 days. But 10 miles ? If you were taking it gently then it will not have ground off the surface rust.
When it happend to me dragging the brakes and some heavy use cleaned them off.
However if it has not gone away after another 10 miles of the above .....
When it happend to me dragging the brakes and some heavy use cleaned them off.
However if it has not gone away after another 10 miles of the above .....
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