By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 08:17 am: Edit

97 SD7, 62K miles

This just started happening a few days ago. When I push the brake pedal, the car stops normally, but as it stops, I feeling like a grinding sensation in the brake pedal. It doesn't happen when I'm hitting the brake initially, just right before the car comes to a stop, say 1-3 mph.

Any ideas?

Scott
Reston, VA
97 SD7

By Carl E. Cedeholm (Cederholm) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 09:31 am: Edit

Scott
Could be worn pads. Check all rotors for scoring and check all pads for wear. Disco brakes are easy to check yourself.

Carl

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 09:59 am: Edit

Sounds like pads could be gone, and you've dug base of pads into your rotors. That would be bad. Ask me how I know.

By ken knebusch (Charlotterover) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 10:08 am: Edit

Scott, Bluegill knows! There are several posts you can search for in here to help. I had the same problem and all these guys with their informative posts walked me right through it!

BIG HELP!
Good luck!

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 10:15 am: Edit

OK -- I don't drive the disco much, only a few miles a day. This just started a few days ago, so I hope I haven't caused anything major.

I just went out and bought pads from a local parts store -- $31 for a set. I'm going to go and take a look at what damage I've done... uggggh...

Scott

By gp (Garrett) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 10:36 am: Edit

mine are doing the same thing. last 20 feet upon stopping you hear a little grinding with the window down and the little catching in the pedal. took a peek at the pads last night and they are looking a little thin. my grinding noise *seems* to be coming from the very edge of the rotor. pad is rubbing the rust along the very edge. rotors look good. got some pads on the way.

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 11:28 am: Edit

Well, I just ended up taking it to the garage.

I've changed disc brakes many many times before, but the bolt holding on the caliper was like it was heat welded on. I tried banging on it, leverage, but it would budge...

Need a compressed air wrench to get the sucker off.

So, it's at the garage, and they're going to charge me 2 hours of labor ($140) for something I could do in 15 minutes if I had the right tools. When they see the metal filings on the inside of the wheel, they'll probably tell me I need my rotors resurfaced, but I'm going to skip that for now.

At least I saved money on the pads by buying them elsewhere.

If someone knows a hot stock tip so I can make back this expense, I'd appreciate it.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 11:50 am: Edit

Scott, you don't take the calipers off to change out the pads.. You only need to remove the pins and little retaining pieces of metal in the back.. Then just smoosh the calipers in wards using a screw driver or pliers against the pad.. Then you can pull them right out.. For the front just pull the two metal rods out (becareful not to lose the springs) and smoosh the pads like the rears and pull them right out.. Easy as cake.. Hardest part is getting the cotter pin in the rear to bend enough to pull them out with out breaking them so that you can reuse them...

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 02:02 pm: Edit

Awww, crap!!! You're kidding me.. damn, when I changed my pads on my other cars (Honda) I had to pull out one bolt and rotate the calipers up so I could remove the pads and push in the piston.

Darn it -- I didn't know the rovers were easier! Guess I should have asked first.

When I do the rears, I'll know better.

Scott

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 02:12 pm: Edit

Ya, it is that easy.. If you need help when you go to the rears let me know.. I'm in Falls Church so you aren't that far away. It really is a piece of cake though.. The hardest part is if they squeak.. I have tried every thing except for new rotors and mine still squeak every once in a while when stopping.

By Daniel on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 02:41 pm: Edit

Another tip: If you take the plug off of the fluid reservoir, you can push the caliper in much easier. This eliminates the need for clamps. Just push it (the caliper) in VERY slowly when you're replacing the pads, or you'll spill brake fluid. You also want to be sure that nothing falls in the hole to conaminate the fluid.