I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.

> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!


Depending on exactly how you mean by "almost as bad" - are you sure the 
servo's working properly, and something hasn't come off or something?


> They are supposed to
> take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> but not much.


150 miles sounds about right.


> My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> which took a couple of months to bed in.


Peter, when will you ever learn?  STOP listening to your Dad, he's a 
clueless fuckstick!!


> Also when beding them in is
> it best to go gentle?


Yes.  That's what bedding (note speling) in means.


> I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.


Ah, you fitted them yourself.

Please, please tell us you've got them the right way around, and that you 
haven't got the back plates pressing against the discs????

(petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were 
saying :


> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.


They should be fine.


> My dad thinks

Really?

> Also when beding them in is it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that 
> frequently for short periods is probably best?


Just use 'em normally.


> I fitted them myself.


Ah. New discs. Fitted 'em yourself.

Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted 'em, 
before you put the pads in?

>> My dad thinks
>
> Really?


I'll correct that - should read "My dad 'thinks'"


> Ah. New discs. Fitted 'em yourself.
>
> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted 'em,
> before you put the pads in?


I put new discs on my Mk5 Fiesta van many moons ago, and a bit of paper 
somewhere said that I had to use a special solvent to remove the protective 
grease from the discs.  I didn't bother - just got a rag and gave them a 
good wipe with some force, thinking that the heat generated from the 
friction would burn it off before long anyway.  Always stopped absolutely 
fine, including one very scary moment on the M4 between Langley and the M25, 
where the traffic came to a halt scarily quickly (I skidded but pumped the 
brakes - DIY ABS and avoided crashing, and yes, I probably wasn't keeping a 
good enough distance).

Peter

AstraVanMan (Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk) gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying : 


>> Ah. New discs. Fitted 'em yourself.
>>
>> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted
>> 'em, before you put the pads in?

> I put new discs on my Mk5 Fiesta van many moons ago, and a bit of
> paper somewhere said that I had to use a special solvent to remove the
> protective grease from the discs.  I didn't bother - just got a rag
> and gave them a good wipe with some force, thinking that the heat
> generated from the friction would burn it off before long anyway. 


Mmmm. Odds are that Peter hasn't done even that.

AstraVanMan wrote:

> > I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> > rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> > about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> > bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!
>
> Depending on exactly how you mean by "almost as bad" - are you sure the
> servo's working properly, and something hasn't come off or something?


I can't see why it wouldn't, it worked before the brakes were changed.


> > They are supposed to
> > take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> > difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> > but not much.
>
> 150 miles sounds about right.
>
> > My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> > which took a couple of months to bed in.
>
> Peter, when will you ever learn?  STOP listening to your Dad, he's a
> clueless fuckstick!!
>
> > Also when beding them in is
> > it best to go gentle?
>
> Yes.  That's what bedding (note speling) in means.


You must mean 'spelling' lol


> > I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> > is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> > a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.
>
> Ah, you fitted them yourself.
>
> Please, please tell us you've got them the right way around, and that you
> haven't got the back plates pressing against the discs????


Yeah, it was kinda obvious which way round they went.  I'm not even
sure whether it's possible to get them the wrong way around.

Adrian wrote:

> AstraVanMan (Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk) gurgled happily,
> sounding much like they were saying :
>
> >> Ah. New discs. Fitted 'em yourself.
> >>
> >> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted
> >> 'em, before you put the pads in?
>
> > I put new discs on my Mk5 Fiesta van many moons ago, and a bit of
> > paper somewhere said that I had to use a special solvent to remove the
> > protective grease from the discs.  I didn't bother - just got a rag
> > and gave them a good wipe with some force, thinking that the heat
> > generated from the friction would burn it off before long anyway.
>
> Mmmm. Odds are that Peter hasn't done even that.


No, I did do that.  I got some proper brake cleaner stuff.

>> Yes.  That's what bedding (note speling) in means.
>
> You must mean 'spelling' lol


Good to see irony's alive and well.


>> > I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
>> > is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
>> > a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.
>>
>> Ah, you fitted them yourself.
>>
>> Please, please tell us you've got them the right way around, and that you
>> haven't got the back plates pressing against the discs????
>
> Yeah, it was kinda obvious which way round they went.  I'm not even
> sure whether it's possible to get them the wrong way around.


Let's hope not.

Peter

wrote in message
news:1119296714.242677.201470@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

>
> Adrian wrote:
> > AstraVanMan (Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk) gurgled happily,
> > sounding much like they were saying :
> >
> > >> Ah. New discs. Fitted 'em yourself.
> > >>
> > >> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted
> > >> 'em, before you put the pads in?
> >
> > > I put new discs on my Mk5 Fiesta van many moons ago, and a bit of
> > > paper somewhere said that I had to use a special solvent to remove the
> > > protective grease from the discs.  I didn't bother - just got a rag
> > > and gave them a good wipe with some force, thinking that the heat
> > > generated from the friction would burn it off before long anyway.
> >
> > Mmmm. Odds are that Peter hasn't done even that.
>
> No, I did do that.  I got some proper brake cleaner stuff.
>

they should be perfectly ok after a very short distance in my experience.
Deffo should be working well after 70 miles.

(petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
 were saying : 


>> Please, please tell us you've got them the right way around, and that
>> you haven't got the back plates pressing against the discs????

> Yeah, it was kinda obvious which way round they went.  


<oh god>
I'd have thought the scraping noises would alert you if they were wrong way 
round.


> I'm not even sure whether it's possible to get them the wrong way 
> around.


If it was anybody but you, I'd agree.

(petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were 
saying :


>> >> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted
>> >> 'em, before you put the pads in?

> No, I did do that.  I got some proper brake cleaner stuff.


All over, back to bright dry clean shiny metal, both sides?

Adrian wrote:

> (petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
> saying :
>
> >> >> Did you clean the protective grease off the disks once you'd fitted
> >> >> 'em, before you put the pads in?
>
> > No, I did do that.  I got some proper brake cleaner stuff.
>
> All over, back to bright dry clean shiny metal, both sides?


Yes, definately.

JohnR wrote:

>
> they should be perfectly ok after a very short distance in my experience.
> Deffo should be working well after 70 miles.


Oh dear.  I'll give them until the end of the week, and see what
they're like.  I want to change the fluid on the weekend too, I don't
know if I'll want to let the brakes bed in first.

wrote in message
news:1119292653.074848.165830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
> take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
> it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.


Are they OEM discs and pads?
There's usually nothing wrong with pattern discs and pads from reputable
manufacturers, but IME, some can be crap. I once cooked a set of front brake
pads that had been fitted by a dealer before I baught the car. Virtually
complete brake failure a couple of hundred miles later, coupled with smoke
pouring out from under the front wings.
When I took them out, they were completely burnt. Looked more like lumps of
carbon than brake pads.
If you fitted good discs and pads there is definitely something wrong if the
brakes are as bad as you say, after only 70 miles.
New discs and pads usually perform well immediately after fitting. The
problem is that they tend to get hotter quicker, until they've bedded in.
Hence the advice to take it easy until they've settled down, to reduce the
chances of overheating and distorting the discs and/or burning the pads.
Mike.

wrote in message 
news:1119292653.074848.165830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
> take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
> it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.


What make of pads did you get - normally they don't take 'too' long to bed, 
but if the material is a very hard compound then it'll take longer.

Assuming nothing else is wrong - like the servo, since thay aren't stopping 
you too good now - how good/bad were they previously?

Graham

petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com wrote:

>  I fitted them myself.
> 


How did you do it?

In article ,
    wrote:

> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish!


What make? Did you go for standard pads or some sort of heavily advertised
ones that only work properly when the discs are red hot?

Pads barely need bedding in at all - especially on new discs. They both
start off machined flat.

-- 
*He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless, dead.  

    Dave Plowman        dave@davenoise.co.uk           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The message 
from "Dave Plowman (News)"  contains these words:


> What make? Did you go for standard pads or some sort of heavily advertised
> ones that only work properly when the discs are red hot?


Ah, "racing" pads, ideally suited for taking a clapped out Corsa down
the chippy.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

AstraVanMan wrote:


> Please, please tell us you've got them the right way around, and that you 
> haven't got the back plates pressing against the discs???? 
> 
> 

	.... and that you did de-grease them before fitting !

In article ,  
says...


> > Mmmm. Odds are that Peter hasn't done even that.
> 
> No, I did do that.  I got some proper brake cleaner stuff.
> 

You're getting better.


-- 
Conor

-You wanted an argument? Oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. You want room 
K5, just along the corridor. Stupid git. (Monty Python)

In article ,  
says...


> Oh dear.  I'll give them until the end of the week, and see what
> they're like.  I want to change the fluid on the weekend too, I don't
> know if I'll want to let the brakes bed in first.
> 

Err Peter, I'd pay someone to change the fluid if I were you. It 
shouldn't cost more than 30.


-- 
Conor

-You wanted an argument? Oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. You want room 
K5, just along the corridor. Stupid git. (Monty Python)

In article <ldEte.27866$cN2.19554@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>, 
Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk says...

> > My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> > which took a couple of months to bed in.
> 
> Peter, when will you ever learn?  STOP listening to your Dad, he's a 
> clueless fuckstick!!
> 


You forgot reject. He's a clueless *reject* fuckstick.

Pete.

-- 
NOTE! Email address is spamtrapped. Any email will be deleted
Remove the news and underscore from my address to reply by mail

>> > My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
>> > which took a couple of months to bed in.
>>
>> Peter, when will you ever learn?  STOP listening to your Dad, he's a
>> clueless fuckstick!!
>
> You forgot reject. He's a clueless *reject* fuckstick.


Just goes to show I was making it up when I said I added that to "amusing 
insults.txt" last time.  This time I have, and won't be forgetting next time 
:-)

Peter

Conor wrote:

> In article ,
> says...
>
> > Oh dear.  I'll give them until the end of the week, and see what
> > they're like.  I want to change the fluid on the weekend too, I don't
> > know if I'll want to let the brakes bed in first.
> >
> Err Peter, I'd pay someone to change the fluid if I were you. It
> shouldn't cost more than £30.


No :-(.  My bedroom cupboard is full of oils, and brake fuild is one of
them.  I've also just purchased an Eezibleed thing.  I don't think
it'll be too bad, especially with the Eezibleed.

Graham wrote:

>  wrote in message
> news:1119292653.074848.165830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> > rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> > about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> > bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
> > take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> > difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> > but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> > which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
> > it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> > is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> > a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.
>
> What make of pads did you get - normally they don't take 'too' long to bed,
> but if the material is a very hard compound then it'll take longer.


The discs are Cafco's own make, and they said 'Top Stop' on them.  The
pads are Lucas' and they were from the same place.


> Assuming nothing else is wrong - like the servo, since thay aren't stopping
> you too good now - how good/bad were they previously?


They were brilliant before!  Probably the best brakes I've ever had,
and I was never short of stopping power.  The only potential problem
when stopping was locking the wheels.  Some other Seicento owners do
say that the brakes are rubbish, but I could never understand that.
The originals weren't performance ones btw.

I noticed a slight squeak/squeal today when I turn the wheel slightly
to the right, but it's barely noticeable.  My dad says it's just
because they need running in.  I've done about 90 miles now.

Mike G wrote:

>  wrote in message
> news:1119292653.074848.165830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> > rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> > about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost as
> > bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
> > take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> > difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> > but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> > which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
> > it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> > is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> > a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.
>
> Are they OEM discs and pads?


No :-(

I'm starting to think that my pads/discs are rubbish.  I could've got
OEM ones for a similar price, but Cafco is usually good value, and I
could get them much quicker.


> There's usually nothing wrong with pattern discs and pads from reputable
> manufacturers, but IME, some can be crap. I once cooked a set of front brake
> pads that had been fitted by a dealer before I baught the car. Virtually
> complete brake failure a couple of hundred miles later, coupled with smoke
> pouring out from under the front wings.
> When I took them out, they were completely burnt. Looked more like lumps of
> carbon than brake pads.


Trust me, total brake failure wouldn't be a huge problem, I probably
wouldn't even notice it lol.


> If you fitted good discs and pads there is definitely something wrong if the
> brakes are as bad as you say, after only 70 miles.
> New discs and pads usually perform well immediately after fitting.


:-o, my dad reckons that they quite often take a long time to bed in.
What could we have done wrong with the fitting?  They just go in really
don't they, there's nothing to adjust is there?

Guy King wrote:

> The message 
> from "Dave Plowman (News)"  contains these words:
>
> > What make? Did you go for standard pads or some sort of heavily advertised
> > ones that only work properly when the discs are red hot?
>
> Ah, "racing" pads, ideally suited for taking a clapped out Corsa down
> the chippy.


ROFL!  Nah, my ones are normal.  I wouldn't even consider performance
ones because my original ones were brilliant (and performanace ones may
need warming up like you say).

In article ,
    wrote:

> I've also just purchased an Eezibleed thing.  I don't think
> it'll be too bad, especially with the Eezibleed.



Look out for the next episode on how to fix paint covered in brake fluid.

-- 
*When the going gets tough, use duct tape

    Dave Plowman        dave@davenoise.co.uk           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The message 
from petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com contains these words:


> My bedroom cupboard is full of oils,


D'yer know, at his age it really should be full of something else.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

In article ,  
says...


> > Err Peter, I'd pay someone to change the fluid if I were you. It
> > shouldn't cost more than 30.
> 
> No :-(.  My bedroom cupboard is full of oils, and brake fuild is one of
> them. 


Oh dear. I hope its not been opened and the seal broken. If it has, its 
no good. Brake fluid is hydroscopic and will soak up water in the air 
thus lowering its boiling point and making it useless.


> I've also just purchased an Eezibleed thing.  I don't think
> it'll be too bad, especially with the Eezibleed.
> 

Do you even know when you've done it sufficiently?


-- 
Conor

-You wanted an argument? Oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. You want room 
K5, just along the corridor. Stupid git. (Monty Python)

In article ,  
says...


> The discs are Cafco's own make, 

Who?

> and they said 'Top Stop' on them. 


Must be top gear then.



-- 
Conor

-You wanted an argument? Oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. You want room 
K5, just along the corridor. Stupid git. (Monty Python)

Conor wrote:

> In article ,
> says...
>
> > > Err Peter, I'd pay someone to change the fluid if I were you. It
> > > shouldn't cost more than £30.
> >
> > No :-(.  My bedroom cupboard is full of oils, and brake fuild is one of
> > them.
>
> Oh dear. I hope its not been opened and the seal broken. If it has, its
> no good. Brake fluid is hydroscopic and will soak up water in the air
> thus lowering its boiling point and making it useless.


Don't worry, I know, and it's all completely sealed.


> > I've also just purchased an Eezibleed thing.  I don't think
> > it'll be too bad, especially with the Eezibleed.
> >
> Do you even know when you've done it sufficiently?


I will do.  I need 400ml, but I've got 1 litre.  The rears need more
(and are done first).  I think the old fluid is likely to be a
different colour too, so I should be able to see the difference.  My
old fluid is brown, I had to suck some out when I changed the brakes.

Conor wrote:

> In article ,
> says...
>
> > The discs are Cafco's own make,
>
> Who?


The invoice says Motor parts direct, I think they got taken over by
motorparts direct or something.  They're not on the net though.  I know
of at least two branches near where I live.
 

> > and they said 'Top Stop' on them. 
> 
> Must be top gear then.

"Guy King"  wrote in message 
news:313030303432373942B8769016@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message 
> from petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com contains these words:
>
>> My bedroom cupboard is full of oils,
>
> D'yer know, at his age it really should be full of something else.
>

My hovercraft is full of eels.

-- 
Malc

wrote in message
news:1119376275.396823.24680@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

>
> Mike G wrote:
> >  wrote in message
> > news:1119292653.074848.165830@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > > I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> > > rubbish!  Do these usually get a lot better as they bed in?  I've done
> > > about 70 miles on them now, and they are still rubbish.  It's almost
as
> > > bad as the brakes were when the engine was off!  They are supposed to
> > > take 150 miles to bed in, but I would have expected a noticeable
> > > difference by now.  They may be a bit better than they were when new,
> > > but not much.  My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some
brakes
> > > which took a couple of months to bed in.  Also when beding them in is
> > > it best to go gentle?  I'm guessing that frequently for short periods
> > > is probably best?  They don't pull to one side, and they work at least
> > > a bit (moved the wheel by hand).  I fitted them myself.
> >
> > Are they OEM discs and pads?
>
> No :-(
>
> I'm starting to think that my pads/discs are rubbish.  I could've got
> OEM ones for a similar price, but Cafco is usually good value, and I
> could get them much quicker.
>
> > There's usually nothing wrong with pattern discs and pads from reputable
> > manufacturers, but IME, some can be crap. I once cooked a set of front
brake
> > pads that had been fitted by a dealer before I baught the car. Virtually
> > complete brake failure a couple of hundred miles later, coupled with
smoke
> > pouring out from under the front wings.
> > When I took them out, they were completely burnt. Looked more like lumps
of
> > carbon than brake pads.
>
> Trust me, total brake failure wouldn't be a huge problem, I probably
> wouldn't even notice it lol.
>
> > If you fitted good discs and pads there is definitely something wrong if
the
> > brakes are as bad as you say, after only 70 miles.
> > New discs and pads usually perform well immediately after fitting.
>
> :-o, my dad reckons that they quite often take a long time to bed in.


Your dad has some strange ideas.
Judjing by his comments you've told us about in the past, you'd be better
off heeding tha advice and comments you read here.

New pads on old discs certainly take a few miles before they work as well as
they can. Even so, during the period of bedding in they should still work
well enough to cause no real concern about stopping.

Providing they've been fitted correctly, new pads on new discs should work
well immediately after fitting. That's my experience anyway.
Despite that, I would still advise treating them gently for the first 100
miles or so.


> What could we have done wrong with the fitting?  They just go in really
> don't they, there's nothing to adjust is there?


Nope. It's almost a case of if they look right, they are right.
Without seeing them, I'm still inclined to suspect the quality of the discs,
pads, or both.
Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?
Maybe you should go back and complain.
How do their prices compare to the ones on this website?
 http://www.brakeparts.co.uk/
Mike.

The message <E9%te.54246$G8.37405@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>
from "Malc"  contains these words:


> >> My bedroom cupboard is full of oils,
> >
> > D'yer know, at his age it really should be full of something else.
> >
> My hovercraft is full of eels.


And your nipples are just exploding with ecstacy?

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

<snip>


> Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?


Cafco are a parts supplier local to Peter.

http://www.cafco.co.uk/

Extremely unlikely that they manufacture anything they sell..

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

(petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were 
saying :


>> Err Peter, I'd pay someone to change the fluid if I were you. It
>> shouldn't cost more than 30.

> No :-(.  My bedroom cupboard is full of oils, and brake fuild is one of
> them.


NEVER use brake fluid from anything but a brand new sealed container - it's 
hygroscopic, and absorbs moisture from the air. Terrible stuff. It's also 
perhaps the most effective paintstripper known to mechanics...

Conor (conor.turton@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they 
were saying :


>> The discs are Cafco's own make, 

> Who?


One of the main factor chains around the south.

The message 
from Adrian  contains these words:


> NEVER use brake fluid from anything but a brand new sealed container - it's 
> hygroscopic, and absorbs moisture from the air. Terrible stuff. It's also 
> perhaps the most effective paintstripper known to mechanics...


I've often wondered about this. I agree it's hygroscopic but I can't see
how moisture is supposed to get past a tightly replaced cap.

And anyway, the reservoir on the braking system is vented and must
breath slightly as the pedal's pushed and with thermal wossnames, so
it'll be absorbing moisture from the moment you install it anyway.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

Guy King (guy.king@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying : 


>> NEVER use brake fluid from anything but a brand new sealed container
>> - it's hygroscopic, and absorbs moisture from the air. Terrible
>> stuff. It's also perhaps the most effective paintstripper known to
>> mechanics... 

> I've often wondered about this. I agree it's hygroscopic but I can't
> see how moisture is supposed to get past a tightly replaced cap.


What happens inside the bottle when you take the lid off and pour some out?


> And anyway, the reservoir on the braking system is vented and must
> breath slightly as the pedal's pushed and with thermal wossnames, so
> it'll be absorbing moisture from the moment you install it anyway.


Which is why you replace it every couple of years. How long's that bottle 
been on the shelf?

Buy a proper car, one that uses brake fluid that's not hygroscopic - and, 
even better, is a lovely colour. YKIMS.

"Adrian"  wrote in message
news:Xns967D57AF5DCEDadrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.244.170...

> Buy a proper car, one that uses brake fluid that's not hygroscopic - and,
> even better, is a lovely colour. YKIMS.


Or at least a proper car with a diaphragm in the brake fluid reservoir cap,
so it's not open to the air all the time.

In article , 
Adrian says...

> Conor (conor.turton@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they 
> were saying :
> 
> >> The discs are Cafco's own make, 
> 
> > Who?
> 
> One of the main factor chains around the south.
> 

Ah. Thanks.


-- 
Conor

-You wanted an argument? Oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. You want room 
K5, just along the corridor. Stupid git. (Monty Python)

The message 
from Adrian  contains these words:


> > I've often wondered about this. I agree it's hygroscopic but I can't
> > see how moisture is supposed to get past a tightly replaced cap.

> What happens inside the bottle when you take the lid off and pour some out?


A tiny amount of water enters the airspace and is promptly absorbed. The
amount will be very small and won't get any worse by leaving it. What's
the difference between leaving it tightly capped for a few months and
the few minutes between toppings up when bleeding the brakes.

The amounts of moisture involved are so small compared to the potential
for absorbtion when in use that I reckon it's not serious.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

petermcmillan wrote:

> JohnR wrote:
>>they should be perfectly ok after a very short distance in my experience.
>>Deffo should be working well after 70 miles.
>
> Oh dear.  I'll give them until the end of the week, and see what
> they're like.  I want to change the fluid on the weekend too, I don't
> know if I'll want to let the brakes bed in first.


Take the wheels off and look at the discs to see what's happening. Look
at the faces of the pads, too.

Re. "running in", just don't belt about like a loony braking heavily
(except in emergencies, of course) for the first 50 miles or so.
The major cause of disc warping is stopping suddenly from speed and
keeping your foot on the brake.

> Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?


A fairly well known motor factor round these parts.  Must be mainly based in 
the South-East, or even just the Thames Valley.

Peter

Mike G wrote:

>  wrote in message
> news:1119376275.396823.24680@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Trust me, total brake failure wouldn't be a huge problem, I probably
> > wouldn't even notice it lol.
> >
> > :-o, my dad reckons that they quite often take a long time to bed in.
>
> Your dad has some strange ideas.
> Judjing by his comments you've told us about in the past, you'd be better
> off heeding tha advice and comments you read here.
>
> New pads on old discs certainly take a few miles before they work as well as
> they can. Even so, during the period of bedding in they should still work
> well enough to cause no real concern about stopping.
>
> Providing they've been fitted correctly, new pads on new discs should work
> well immediately after fitting. That's my experience anyway.
> Despite that, I would still advise treating them gently for the first 100
> miles or so.
>
> > What could we have done wrong with the fitting?  They just go in really
> > don't they, there's nothing to adjust is there?
>
> Nope. It's almost a case of if they look right, they are right.
> Without seeing them, I'm still inclined to suspect the quality of the discs,
> pads, or both.
> Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?
> Maybe you should go back and complain.
> How do their prices compare to the ones on this website?
>  http://www.brakeparts.co.uk/


Ah I was trying to find that site when I was buying the stuff, but
couldn't find it.  My brake discs were a few pence cheaper (including
VAT, but not including delivery).  I do get about 10% off at Cafco
though because I have a trade card.

AstraVanMan (Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk) gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying : 


>> Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?

> A fairly well known motor factor round these parts.  Must be mainly
> based in the South-East, or even just the Thames Valley.


CAFCO = Camberley Auto Factors Co.

(petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
 were saying : 


> I do get about 10% off at Cafco though because I have a trade card.


<snort>

>>> Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?
>
>> A fairly well known motor factor round these parts.  Must be mainly
>> based in the South-East, or even just the Thames Valley.
>
> CAFCO = Camberley Auto Factors Co.


You sure about that????

I often wondered if it might stand for that, but having been in to various 
branches of both, I never noticed anything remotely similar about the logo, 
or the shops in general.

And their website certainly look like the two companies are connected:

http://www.camberleyautofactors.com/default.asp

http://www.cafco.co.uk/

Peter

AstraVanMan (Peter@Whataloadofforeskinbollocks.co.uk) gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying : 


>> CAFCO = Camberley Auto Factors Co.

> You sure about that????


I *thought* I was.


> I often wondered if it might stand for that, but having been in to
> various branches of both, I never noticed anything remotely similar
> about the logo, or the shops in general.
> 
> And their website certainly look like the two companies are connected:
> 
> http://www.camberleyautofactors.com/default.asp
> http://www.cafco.co.uk/


Then I looked at those, and I wasn't at all sure.

Then I looked 'em up on Companies House, and sho' nuff, they're both 
registered at the same address. Knoll House, Knoll Rd, Camberley. But that 
seems to be an accountants, Stewart & Co. It's also the registered address 
for Numatic, the people that make Henry vacuum cleaners.

In short - no bloody idea. Might be, might not be.

"AstraVanMan"  wrote in message
news:ldhue.514$zM2.203@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...

> > Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?
>
> A fairly well known motor factor round these parts.  Must be mainly based
in
> the South-East, or even just the Thames Valley.


As I said. Not a Co I've heard of and I live in the SE, Nr Horsham W Sussex.
I've never seen the name in any of the factors I use, and AFAIK I've never
been offered anything supplied or made by them.
Mike.

>> > Personally I've never heard of Cafco. Who are they?
>>
>> A fairly well known motor factor round these parts.  Must be mainly based 
>> in
>> the South-East, or even just the Thames Valley.
>
> As I said. Not a Co I've heard of and I live in the SE, Nr Horsham W 
> Sussex.
> I've never seen the name in any of the factors I use, and AFAIK I've never
> been offered anything supplied or made by them.


Like someone else mentioned, I think they've now been taken over by someone 
else (don't know if they have where Peter is, or if he's just referring to 
them as Cafco, like many still do), but we had a Cafco here in Bracknell, 
and also one over in Slough.

Peter

Mike G (metier@lycos.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying : 


> I've never seen the name in any of the factors I use, and
> AFAIK I've never been offered anything supplied or made by them.


No, Cafco *are* the factors.

The message <cNhue.592$zM2.136@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
from "AstraVanMan"  contains
these words:


> > CAFCO = Camberley Auto Factors Co.

> You sure about that????


I always thought they were a spinoff from Caffyns.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

In article , 
petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com () wrote:


> I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> rubbish! 


Do you live anywhere near Reading, Newbury or Basingstoke?

I'm just trying to decide whether the commute by road is worth the risk 
with you on it...

-- 
Paul Cummins - Always a NetHead
Wasting Bandwidth since 1981

"AstraVanMan"  wrote in message
news:qXXte.29756$cN2.6637@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...

> >> > My dad thinks it's normal, apparently he had some brakes
> >> > which took a couple of months to bed in.
> >>
> >> Peter, when will you ever learn?  STOP listening to your Dad, he's a
> >> clueless fuckstick!!
> >
> > You forgot reject. He's a clueless *reject* fuckstick.
>
> Just goes to show I was making it up when I said I added that to "amusing
> insults.txt" last time.  This time I have, and won't be forgetting next
time
> :-)


I reckon you were just trying to avoid paying royalties... ;)

"Adrian"  wrote in message
news:Xns967D57AF5DCEDadrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.244.170...

> Guy King (guy.king@zetnet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like
> they were saying :
>
> >> NEVER use brake fluid from anything but a brand new sealed container
> >> - it's hygroscopic, and absorbs moisture from the air. Terrible
> >> stuff. It's also perhaps the most effective paintstripper known to
> >> mechanics...
>
> > I've often wondered about this. I agree it's hygroscopic but I can't
> > see how moisture is supposed to get past a tightly replaced cap.
>
> What happens inside the bottle when you take the lid off and pour some

out?

The same as what happens when you press the brake pedal.

>
> > And anyway, the reservoir on the braking system is vented and must
> > breath slightly as the pedal's pushed and with thermal wossnames, so
> > it'll be absorbing moisture from the moment you install it anyway.
>
> Which is why you replace it every couple of years. How long's that bottle
> been on the shelf?


The bottle I've just finished off had been on my shelf for about a month.
But even if it had been there a few years, I wouldn't be all that worried,
as the small amount of moisture in the air that gets trapped when putting
the top back on can't be any greater than that the fluid in the system is
exposed to over time. And if there's only a small amount used out the
bottle, then that's even less moisture can get in.


> Buy a proper car, one that uses brake fluid that's not hygroscopic - and,
> even better, is a lovely colour. YKIMS.


AFAIK, any car can use DOT 5 so long as the system is flushed through and
the seals are replaced. I intend to go over to that next time I do a full
rebuild on any of my cars, the mess from accidental brake fluid spills is a
right bugger :(

Paul Cummins wrote:

> In article ,
> petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com () wrote:
>
> > I've got brand new pads and discs on the front of my car, and they're
> > rubbish!
>
> Do you live anywhere near Reading, Newbury or Basingstoke?
>
> I'm just trying to decide whether the commute by road is worth the risk
> with you on it...


ROFL, I live in Reading, and commute to Newbury :-D

Nah, it's not worth the risk.  Pass the message on, and then I'll get
to work quicker ;-)

In article , 
petermcmillan_uk@yahoo.com () wrote:


> ROFL, I live in Reading, and commute to Newbury :-D


I live in Basingstoke and commute to Speen...

I shall stop doing so in my Escort and buy myself a small APC.

-- 
Paul Cummins - Always a NetHead
Wasting Bandwidth since 1981

In article , Paul
Cummins  writes


>I shall stop doing so in my Escort and buy myself a small APC.


Dunno what an APC is, but I think you'd be safer in a Sherman Tank.  If
you come across any Fiat Seicentos on your daily commute, do the world a
favour and be sure to run over them.

The message 
from Mike Tomlinson  contains these words:


> >I shall stop doing so in my Escort and buy myself a small APC.

> Dunno what an APC is, 


Armoured Personnel Carrier. Or just possibly Adenomatous Polyposis Coli.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

In article , 
guy.king@zetnet.co.uk (Guy King) wrote:


> > >I shall stop doing so in my Escort and buy myself a small APC.
> 
> > Dunno what an APC is, 
> 
> Armoured Personnel Carrier.


Indeed.

Fro the moment, I've settled on two 30mm cannon protuding from the 
grille :-) 

-- 
Paul Cummins - Always a NetHead
Wasting Bandwidth since 1981