Brakes (Mechanical) - Tuesday 7th October 2014

R&R Wheel, Caliper, Carrier
Pads and Disc

Today myself and Isaac were assigned to the practice Brake (Mechanical) task.  The task was undertaken on a Vauxhall Vectra and involved the safe R&R of all 4 road wheels, the calipers, carriers, pads and discs.  I took the nearside whilst Isaac went offside.  We started at the front first and removed all components for verification of procedure.  With the disc reattached to the hub with a couple of wheel studs, we were able to ascertain disc runout using a DTI gauge and the results were duly recorded.

Testing Disc Runout with DTI Gauge

We were also required to measure the brake pad thickness, using a steel rule and the disc thickness, using a micrometer.  All notes were recorded and compared to the manufacturers specifications previously gathered.  With the front complete, all components were duly reassembled to manufacturers specified torque settings, and the vehicle safely lowered.  The procedure was then repeated on the rear brakes.  We completed our report of findings, by comparing all of our results with the manufacturers specifications, and found excessive runout on the NSF brake disc and excessive pad wear on 2 sets of brakes.  This resulted in a recommendation to R&R Discs and Pads all round.  With the main task completed and verified to a good standard, we were then required to demonstrate knowledge of how to purge air from a hydraulic brake system,  which was completed in written format.  Myself and Isaac worked well together on this task, and we were signed off as complete with about 45 minutes to spare.  The intervening time was spent clearing up and tidying the work area, accounting for all of our tools and equipment and then doing a little work on our bloggers.

Measuring Brake Pads

Measuring Disc Thickness
with Micrometer