Disc & Brakes

[silver cerbie]

I need a little advise on where and which discs and brakes to get for my 4.2 cerbra (97)

At the moment i have got Green stuff pads with standard disc all round. Pads have only done about 1000 miles if that.

Problem is that everytime i brake i get an outrageous skreeeeeech.

Sounds like an old London bus.

I have tried all the greasing and cleaning etc that has been mentioned to me but to no avail.

HELP. Has anyone had this before and even if not if you have upgraded changed or whatever your brakes, where and whom did you get them from.

Thanks

Scott

[G7TVR]

Hi, I drive a '97 4.2 and I've experienced the squealing with the green stuff pads but I think you've just got to get used to it.
I have been talking to TMS 01664 481065 about upgrading the front discs to cross drilled - they initially sent me discs for a 4.5 by mistake which are a bit bigger and it got me thinking I could upgrade the back as well but I'm told (by TMS) the back discs are a standard and can't be upgraded to enable me to fit the larger discs on the front - whatever.
I believe you will have to buy the discs from a TVR dealer - AP racing referred me back to TVR when I spoke to them direct.
Anyway, the best solution is - take the cats out, fit a sports exhaust and then drive with the window down - you will lose the hearing in your right ear so you don't need to worry about the squealing discs.

[silver cerbie]

I have heard that green stuff are a bit sreechy, but i am sure this is more than the usual......

As for the advise about the sports exhust, got that and i wish it was loud enough to block out the brakes.

Thanks anyway.

Scott

[JedSteel]

Hi, Silver Cerbie. Like G7TVR, I drive a 97 4.2. I recently changed my standard front brake discs and pads (discs warped at 18,000 miles) for cross-drilled items from TMS. I fitted them myself - dead easy, and ordered new standard replacement pads so everthing was new at the same time, even though there was still some wear in the old pads. The drilled discs definitely improve the looks. Also like G7TVR, I contacted AP Racing direct, except that it was after I'd received the TMS discs because I was concerned the dealer had sent me two left-handed items (the disc holes curved across the face in the same direction on both discs, instead of in opposite directions as I would expect on handed items). I'd heard AP usually refer TVR-owning enquirers back to the dealer/factory, but I rang at the end of a working day and I was lucky enough to have a boffin from the race development department pick up the phone as he was making his way home. As it was, he was happy to chat. He said that the direction of curvature of the holes was not important. What mattered was whether the vanes inside the disc were curved or straight. Curved vanes indicated handed discs, in which case it was important to ensure the appropriate disc was fitted to each side for proper cooling. Straight vanes indicated unhanded discs, whatever the external pattern of drilled holes. The TMS items were straight vaned items. Interestingly, he asked me what the AP reference number was on the inside edge of the disc bell. No number...so not an AP disc. Neither could I see a reference number on the discs I had replaced, which leads me to conclude that 97 4.2s (at least) are fitted with AP calipers, but not AP discs. Not sure whether the standard pads are AP. If my memory serves me correctly the replacement items from TMS were Ferodo. As for squealing, since the discs and pads have bedded in I've not experienced much of a problem - perhaps due to the holes helping to prevent dust build-up. Or perhaps it's down to the sticky backing on the Ferodo pads which hold them in place against the caliper pistons (no more copper grease?). Like G7TVR, my understanding is that the rear discs are the same for 4.2 and 4.5 Cerberas, so no chance to upgrade per se. But TMS do also provide replacement drilled rear discs if you want to go for the full set (one of my next purchases).

[silver cerbie]

Thanks for the advise. Jadsteel

I am awaiting some of that sticky back padding to go on the back of the pads as my first course of action. Then if no good will probably go with the full set of new discs and pads from TMS.