Carbon Ceramic Discs

Carbon Ceramic Discs

Author
Discussion

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

241 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
My California is in for annual service and they've discovered that a number of bolts anchoring the ceramic discs have sheered, apparently due to heat expansion; the heads have popped off. Just one or two per wheel, out of 12 holding each disc in place and so I have not been in danger per se, but clearly needs sorting. So here's where it gets disappointing. The brakes are made by Brembo under licence for Ferrari but under the terms of that licence cannot supply parts, only the full assembly. This means replacing the discs in total even though they are only 50% worn. At £2.5k a pop, compared to the cost of a handful of bolts, this starts to be gratuitously expensive.

Has anyone found a way around this issue ? I'm considering replacing the brake assemblies all round for conventional steel discs. Whilst this also means binning the callipers and relatively new pads, it does mean that next time round I'll be looking at a more palatable cost.

ANOpax

922 posts

173 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Can you could find a set of knackered discs for sale (breakers yards?) and rob them of the bolts?

Apparently, the bolts also rust on cars which are driven in winter so you are not alone in having this problem.

I’ve also heard that the Corvette CCBs are the same as the Ferrari ones but with a different bell. It may be that the corvette bolts (if available) will fit.

Alternatively, bite the bullet on replacing the CCBs but keep the 50% worn ones when they come off. That way, you have a ready source of spares for the ‘next time’. I don’t think you’ll be doing the car or its resale value any favours if you switch to steel brakes.

Edited by ANOpax on Monday 28th October 13:55

F355GTS

3,745 posts

262 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
I can look at home and see if I still have any, Autofficina had some spares when I needed them

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

241 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies guys. Breakers yard is an idea although the bolts are likely to be the same condition as mine. True to say that I’ve used the car in varied weather conditions, so am somewhat to blame, although I bought the car to use it. Also less fussed about resale as I have the car for long term and so am more concerned about another £10k bill in a few years time.

F355, thanks if you can check I may well have an interest. I understand that different bolts were used on each F model despite the discs being the same. Where I have the car in they have another car, not a Cali, with the same issue

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Maybe give David at http://www.bgdevelopments.co.uk/ a call. They are wizards at all things brakes - did a set of custom steels for my F430 - and he may have a solution for you.

MDL111

7,177 posts

184 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Bolts on my FF are rusty and Ferrari indeed only replaces entire disc assembly
I would just ask a mechanic (possibly a race shop who regularly replace just the discs with refurbished ones) if they can replace the bolts (have not asked myself so far)

Slippydiff

15,157 posts

230 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
thecook101 said:
Maybe give David at http://www.bgdevelopments.co.uk/ a call. They are wizards at all things brakes - did a set of custom steels for my F430 - and he may have a solution for you.
Agreed, speak to David at BG Developments.

Failing that, do you have one of the failed bolt assemblies you can let me have ?

Evolved

3,765 posts

194 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Just replace the bolts or at least have them re coated. Lots of companies out there that will do it and they’ll look as good as new for peanuts.

mwstewart

8,043 posts

195 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Just replace the bolts though you may need to drill them out as they do get well and truly seized in.

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

241 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
The shop are investigating alternatives along the lines you all describe, i.e. drilling out and replacing, but are understandably cautious about using non-original parts, even bolts, as they may not be to the same spec as Brembo. Is there a way to ensure equivalence of tensile strength - I'm no expert on bolts but would think there is a range of quality. I presume the discs themselves are not threaded, but simply flush drilled through, so there shouldn't be compatibility issues on that front.

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

241 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Have passed on BG as a potential solution. Will see what they ascertain, hopefully will be able to get some suitable bolts. Thanks all for your constructive input

thebraketester

14,710 posts

145 months

mwstewart

8,043 posts

195 months

Tuesday 29th October 2019
quotequote all
Nothing special about the bolts - just a minimum of grade 10.9 torx heads.

gcpeters

988 posts

239 months

Wednesday 30th October 2019
quotequote all
cant you just get a set of AP bolts for mounting the discs? like this?

https://www.rallynuts.com/ap-racing/ap-racing-brak...