Hello,

I have searched the net and cannot find the exact minimum brake disc thickness F/R on the Octavia VRs TFSi. I am due an MOT at the end of the month and like to check my discs and pads prior to going. Does anyone know what they are please?

Cheers Matt

Don't know the answer Matt, but on a similar vein - how easy is it to check the life left on the pads? My car is 4 years old in Feb (23k on the clock)...brakes still feel good but what is the average life of the pads & discs? (appreciate it depends in part on the driver !)

I like to check the basics before an MOT, but tend to get caught out by the stuff I don't have the knowledge/skills to check.

Apologies if I have hijacked your thread !

Don't know the answer Matt, but on a similar vein - how easy is it to check the life left on the pads? My car is 4 years old in Feb (23k on the clock)...brakes still feel good but what is the average life of the pads & discs? (appreciate it depends in part on the driver !)

I like to check the basics before an MOT, but tend to get caught out by the stuff I don't have the knowledge/skills to check.

Apologies if I have hijacked your thread !

just take the wheel off and have a look. @56OctyVRS im not to sure on the minimum thickness, guys on the mk5gti forum would know, but if you need discs PM muckipup on here as he got some brembo discs really cheap from som eon line place

I have searched the net and cannot find the exact minimum brake disc thickness F/R on the Octavia VRs TFSi. I am due an MOT at the end of the month and like to check my discs and pads prior to going. Does anyone know what they are please?

Hi I found this:

http://www.justpartsbiz.co.uk/acatalog/Skoda_Octavia_VRS_2.0_Brake_Pads_and_Discs__2005-.html

Seems this particular supplier recommends that the minimum disc thickness for a vRS is 23mm...

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 2005> Front Brake Discs

Pair of Ventilated Discs Size:-

Diameter 312mm

Thickness 25mm

Minimum Thickness 23mm

Overall Height 49,4mm

5 Stud Fixing

They also claim that the minimum thickness of a brake disc is determined by the manufacturer and is stamped on the disc.

"On a ventilated disc the minimum thickness is stamped on the hub, solid discs its stamped on the edge of the disc itself."

"Definition

The Minimum Thickness of a Brake Disc is determined by a Motor Vehicle Manufacturer during the design of each particular vehicle and it defines the thickness at which a Brake disc must be replaced because it can no longer deliver the braking performance required of it.

The Risks

Observing the Brake Discs Minimum thickness is vitally important to road safety, as indeed is observing the minimum tyre tread depth, exceeding either of these limits can negate the benefit of good brakes, a braking system which is not operating at its optimum can render useless a vehicle's other active safety systems. Using Brake Discs which have reached Minimum Thickness will lead to lowered braking performance and can even result in brake system failure.

The Specification

When a Motor Vehicle Manufacturer specifys a Brake Discs Minimum Thickness a number of considerations are taken into account. Firstly regarding the other components in the system, the size and the weight of the vehicle and then the impact of this information has on the other dynamics within the brake system such as the system's capacity for:-

Heat absorption and dissipation

Caliper piston retention

Brake pad retention

Brake fluid retention

To explain each of these in more detail -

Heat Absorption and Dissipation

The function of a vehicles brake system is to convert a vehicle's kinetic energy into heat energy. In a Disc brake system this is done when a driver pushes a brake pedal which activates a power-boosted hydraulic system. Hydraulic pressure then forces the pistons to move inside the callipers. The piston movement in turn forces the brake pads into the rotating Brake discs. Friction then occurs between the Brake pads and the Brake discs generating heat which is then dissipated, mainly into the atmosphere by convection. As a Brake disc reduces in thickness, so does its ability to absorb and dissipate heat. Once Minimum Thickness has been reached, a significantly reduced braking capacity can result. Symptoms include premature brake fade and increased stopping distances.

Caliper Piston Retention

In the course of their life, Brake Discs and Brake pads wear down. As the Brake discs and pads become increasingly thinner, the caliper piston moves further out of the caliper body to force contact between Brake pad and Disc. When Minimum Thickness is reached with fully worn pads, the extended piston can have insufficient support within the caliper bore. This can cause it to jam in the bore, causing brake drag or lock. Brake drag will lead to excessive heat build-up and possible brake fluid vaporisation. The result: increased stopping distances and, potentially, half-system hydraulic failure.

Brake Pad Retention

The combination of fully worn Brake Pads and Discs which are at Minimum Thickness can, in some caliper designs, allow the pad backing plate to jam between the caliper anchor bracket and Brake Disc. This will cause either brake drag or wheel lock-up. Both can result in a loss of vehicle stability. Alternatively it is possible that the pads will be torn completely free, severely impeding braking capacity and damaging other components.

Brake Fluid Retention

Under certain conditions when brake pads are fully worn and Minimum Thickness has been reached, the caliper piston may no longer form a hydraulic seal. This will result in leakage, causing increased stopping distances and, possibly, half-system hydraulic failure."

Edited 2 January, 201115 yr by silver1011

Correct, 25mm new and 23mm worn out on the front.

Thank you for all your replies:thumbup:

I have managed to find a set of mintex discs and pads for £150 for the job lot, so will be fitting these. I had thought of performance pads but have never had any trouble stopping with the OE ones fitted. So I am just staying OE spec.

Rather than making a new thread I thought I would revive this one.

 

I was checking over the car the other day and decided to check the discs and pads.

 

I assume it's on the originals with just 45k miles on it.

 

I measured the disc thickness and they are currently 22mm thick.

 

Now I'm pretty sure they are 288mm (with mine being the DSG) which according to ECP are 25mm thick when new (280mm are 22mm).

 

So this would mean they are down to the minimum thickness. Correct?

 

They seem a little small for 288mm (bit hard to measure without taking the wheel off). Is it physically possible to fit 280mm discs in place of 288mm?

 

Also. What size would the rears be? As ECP lists 255 and 260mm.

 

Phil

Edited 6 May, 201511 yr by Phil-E

I think I've answered my own question now.

 

Found a workshop manual online.

 

It shows both 280 and 288mm for the 1.9 DSG.

 

The 280mm have FS III brakes. I've checked and low and behold there's a big FS III stamped into the calipers.

 

So I have 280mm which seems about right holding a tape measure up to the wheel. So I can go down to 19mm. The 22mm I measured is actually the outer lip size (original size) but they're down to about 20mm on the surface... should be good for a few more miles!

 

Phil