Hi

My car has just done over 27k miles, so i am currently making financial provisions for some new brake pads (still on original pads and discs)

My question is - at this mileage, is it customary to change just the pads, or go for new discs as well?

Thanks

I would get both.

I guess you don't really NEED to unless they're warped or have a huge lip on the edge

If the discs have a lip, grind it off with a grinder (with a flapdisc).

The rotors have a minimum thickness so use your vernier calipers to check that. They should also be checked for run-out so use your dial gauge to check that. If you have neither of these tools, take it to someone who has.

Discs can be skimmed, but not worth the bother if they are nearly at min thickness.

If you don't have a set of vernier calipers, nip along to Maplin or similar and buy one of their cheapish digital calipers. Next, get hold of a couple of suitable washers - maybe something like M6 "mud guard" washers, switch the digi calipers on, fit the two suitable washers and zero the calipers, then measure the thickness of each of the discs while holding the washers on each side of the disc - but down below the level of the lips - that way you can get the real thickness of the disc without fouling the caliper on the lips. Digital calipers are a great measuring tool to have around for lots of little car or non-car jobs, especially as their price has dropped so much.

Minimum thickness on the 288's I think is 23mm. At 27k I doubt you will be near that so just do the pads, if your not fussed about upgrading then they are relatively inexpensive as are standard discs. Aldi's sell digital callipers for about £7 and the are good kit so invest in a set and check if you want to. Take the opportunity to get the fluid changed if you haven't done it and get super 4 or 5.1 put in, this can make a big difference.

You rears probably wont need doing for a while yet. If your not fitting them or doing any of this work yourself why not try the In and Out up the road from you

surely a micrometer will be better for measuring the disc thinkness

Using a micrometer is the best way to measure brake disc thickness. If you used a vernier calliper, you would measure the outer edge rim (thickest part) and get a false reading.

The minimum disc thickness for the vRS (288 mm Dia) is 22 mm and new ones are 25 mm thick. This is according to the Haynes manual and EBC's Catalogue.

Using a micrometer is the best way to measure brake disc thickness. If you used a vernier calliper, you would measure the outer edge rim (thickest part) and get a false reading..

Proper vernier calipers have a stepped portion at the inside of each claw to avoid this very thing.

Using a micrometer is the best way to measure brake disc thickness. If you used a vernier calliper, you would measure the outer edge rim (thickest part) and get a false reading.

Hence another using mentioning washers to take this into account. My £7 Aldi calipers have a cutaway at the base of the actual caliper which gets round the lip.

The minimum disc thickness for the vRS (288 mm Dia) is 22 mm and new ones are 25 mm thick. This is according to the Haynes manual and EBC's Catalogue.

Fair play, it must he 22mm then.

New discs after 27k?

You 'avin a larf ?

Proper vernier calipers have a stepped portion at the inside of each claw to avoid this very thing.

But you are still only measuring the thickest part of the disc where the pad works, the outer edge of the disc, near the lip, always wears more and hence will be thinner , this area wont be accurately by vernier calipers, even with the use of washers

Using a micrometer is the best way to measure brake disc thickness. If you used a vernier calliper, you would measure the outer edge rim (thickest part) and get a false reading.

The minimum disc thickness for the vRS (288 mm Dia) is 22 mm and new ones are 25 mm thick. This is according to the Haynes manual and EBC's Catalogue.

I think if you use the method I outlined you avoid getting a problem with the lip or outer edge. For a DIYer, a £20 digital caliper has potentially more uses than a micrometer (used internally and externally and depth) - and in this case the accuracy required is not as tight as a more expensive micrometer would give, but normally these Maplin digi calipers end up being very accurate as I've checked mine against regularly calibrated industrial ones ie M&W and the Japanese equivalents.

But you are still only measuring the thickest part of the disc where the pad works, the outer edge of the disc, near the lip, always wears more and hence will be thinner , this area wont be accurately by vernier calipers, even with the use of washers

Surely that is getting to be OTT, the disc will either be safe to continue using or be as close as makes leaving it on a bit risky for the user? I thought that continental cars, especially Germanic sorts of ones tended to possibly/probably need new discs when the pads were needing replaced. (unlike Fords and VX - the classic "British" cars of the past where a public enquiry was called for if the discs needed changing - well at least a gasp of breathe from the customer!) - having said that, I think that mainly I changed my Ford and VX pads because it seemed that they had got "tired" - but II'm sure a good rub with something rough would have refreshed them for another 6 months! (I never did go for that metal to metal nonsense - and the VX tended to get its clipped on sensor trashed if you ended up "using" it - so more cost!)

But you are still only measuring the thickest part of the disc where the pad works, the outer edge of the disc, near the lip, always wears more and hence will be thinner , this area wont be accurately by vernier calipers, even with the use of washers

No. your measuring the majority of the contact area whilst not even contacting the lip. I know what your saying about the mic but most people don't have one, or won't be buying ane and a calipers are just as effective

you shouldnt need new discs after only 27000 miles unless you live on the brake pedal

Thank you all for the replies. Some valuable advice here.

I think i shall go for just the pads for now as i'm sure the discs should cope with at least 2 rounds of pads. 312's would be nice, but with a wedding to pay for, it's not an idea i can entertain currently.

Other than OEM pads, are there any reccomendations? Don't mind paying say 40-60 quid if they are worth paying extra for...

I agree with others on here at 27K miles you discs shouldn't need replacing. Mine were 22.75 mm thick after 55K when I changed the pads. I don't know if the previous owner changed the pads or these were the original ones.

OEM pads are made by Padgid, so are a good make, well my mothers 1.9TDI ones were anyway. Padgid, Mintex and Textar are part of the TMD Friction group and are made in this country. I use EBC Greenstuff because they produce less dust and are kinder to discs than others. Others on here usually say stay away from these pads, but they suit my driving style and have had them on all of our cars. If you don't want OEM then buy Mintex or Ferodo. You can normally find Ferodo pads at Halfords

My wife's miserable 1.4 16v Polo 9N has done 57,000 so far on its first set - and to compensate for the lack of "go" and front "weight" it does get used on very hilly country journeys. Yes Pagid, Textar and Mintex are all TMD brands but I reckon that its only Mintex that is manufactured - or assembled in UK - Pagid and Textar are in a different class visually to Mintex when comparing like for like - and any Pagid and Textar kits I've bought have always come complete which is more than can be said for the one Mintex sealed up kit I bought - oh and Mintex don't claim to be able to supply the EXACT kit as OEM for this plarform, the ones that I was sold did not have anti-squeal shims fitted, were still supplied with "old style" bolts and only came with two bolts instead of four. Being British I wish that the opposite was the case - unfortunately not!

I use EBC Greenstuff because they produce less dust and are kinder to discs than others.

ive been told quite the opposite on being 'kinder to discs'

if the pad isnt giving off much dust then its not wearing very much, if the pad isnt wearing down then maybe the disc is instead ?.......and i have to say i found that to be true, after using green stuff pads my discs that were fitted at the same time as the pads needed changing when the pads did

Mark, you don't drive hard enough to need anything but OEMS :P which are fine for day to day use.You honeslty won't go wrong with the over the counter ones from Mon and Border or Fastparts. IF you can get them, Mintex Extremes are brilliant for the cash (Although they have been discontinued there may still be some shelf stock lying round). Other than that you can go for the 1144's.

Don't touch Greenstuff with anything less than a large hammer, preferably two.

Do a search on here and many other car forums - 8/10 previous users felt robbed and some even felt the were worse. EBC Greenstiffs are not even close to being worth the stupid money they cost and IMHO it's the same with Redstiffs (Which are not really anygood for a 12 mile daily commute as they take as little while to get some heat in them, if they don't disintegrate....)