Brake Pads - Questions

[X7LDA]

Hi guys,

Another post, sorry!

I'm changing the brake pads on my 06 V8V to Red Stuff EBC pads. Ran them on my Exige for three years and love them! Good feel, no brake dust and they don't squeal like the Pagids.

Anyway, few questions:

- when I change them do I need to change the handbrake pad as well or can I leave it?
- discs still feel like they have plenty of life in them. Will they be okay swapping pads mid-wear? not ideal I know but done it before no probs but not sure what the aston discs are like.
- lastly, how easy is it to do a DIY pad swap on the 4 pots?

Cheers!

Lewis

[KarlFranz]

I keep reading of people referring to Pagids on the Vantage. Did AM change pad suppliers on later cars? I can assure you that the OEM pads I replaced on my 07 V8V were Brembo and not Pagid.

Regarding your questions, I swapped my Brembo pads mid-wear a couple of months ago with no ill effects. I went with Porterfield R4S pads as I have had much success with no dust/squeal using them on my Esprit.

I did get some squeal from the rear pads when I first installed them. I finally got rid of it by replacing the shims that came with the pads with the ones that were on the OEM pads.

I would consider changing the handbrake pads (if you can source them) as well. I haven't done that yet and now my rear wheels get dustier more quickly than the fronts.

If you're familiar with working on cars, replacing the pads is definitely something you can do yourself. Make sure you use a good tool to retract the pistons though. Don't go the cheap route like some people do by using a screwdriver or C-clamp. You could score or damage the piston or seal which could cause them to leak. That could be expensive since I'm not sure the AM/Brembo monobloc calipers can be rebuilt.

[tonyhall38]

have just changed to red stuff on the front of my 9......results so far very good , still dust but nowhere near as much as before , they also feel good....

[brakedwell]

My DB9 has Yellow Stuff pads fitted. I have had no brake squeal problems and the wheels stay exceptionally clean. The only downside is the lack of a depth groove in the rear pads, which means the wear sensor is inoperative. The park brake pads are independent and are not affected.

[macpaul]

There's no problem whatsoever changing pads and not discs. That's how brakes are maintained.

My brakes squeal with standard and Yellowstuff pads. I've had them all out, cleaned the calipers (main brakes and hand brake), pads, pins, shims. Covered everything in Copaslip. Makes a difference for about 5 miles. Hey ho.

However, they are the simplest car brakes I have seen and changing them is easy.

Just use a broad-bladed screwdriver between the metal pad backing plate and the disc to force the pistons back into the calipers and pop them out. You will need the right size (diameter) drift to tap out the pins and be careful not to damage the coating on the caliper. Use a club hammer gently to tap the pins back in from the rear (inboard side)when you have finished.

Also keep an eye on the wear sensor retaining spring clips as they can bounce off and are easily lost.

Good luck.

[X7LDA]

Thanks guys, great info!

I've tried the yellows and found they were dustier and a little bit noiser than the reds (which once bedded in are almost dust free and completely quiet) so will stick with the reds I think.

For future info, a full set is £200 delivered online!

[mikey k]

macpaul said:

There's no problem whatsoever changing pads and not discs. That's how brakes are maintained.
Covered everything in Copaslip. Makes a difference for about 5 miles. Hey ho.

However, they are the simplest car brakes I have seen and changing them is easy.

+1
I did the copaslip thing for my alps trip. Didn't last long.
Dealer has just done some work on mine (two new rear calipers on warranty and reworked the whole handbrake system)
They have used a blue "paint" instead of copaslip any idea what it is?

[Pete V8V]

My 07 V8V recently returning from a major service with a main dealer with a small squeak at crawling speed that it did not have before (particularly when on full lock to park). This was diagnosed as a handbrake issue. It went back in and this was vastly improved but not totally fixed. So I sent it back again. Car returned to me with small squeak still apparent BUT I now get horrendous brake squeal just before the car comes to a halt. This is LOUD. They have had the car all last week and totally stripped the brakes and so far they cannot fix it. So the question is this....should I ask them to fit Red Stuff pads and will that solve the problem.