More brake woes - cracked Ferodos

[dan_b]

Oh my pain with my front brakes continues.
In an effort to solve the wierd resonating noise I've been getting since putting in the new anti-squeal shims recently, I've taken the shims out completely. I also filed down the edges of the backing plates on the front pads as they are extremely tightly fitting in the retaining spring mechanism. I also managed to remove a lot of the bi-metallic corrosion that has formed behind the retaining system which was what was causing the pads to be held too tightly in the first place I presume?

Anyway, I think I've solved it by doing the three things above, fingers crossed.

What I'm not happy with was discovering that I've got yet another set of cracked pads - last time I had a cracked EBC Red which was less than 3 months old, and now I've got a cracked Ferodo DS2500, again probably about only 3 months old.

I don't know if you can see it that well from this photo, sorry it's out of focus but there wasn't much light.

With the EBCs, the pad material had actually sheared off completely and I only noticed that when the car started pulling violently to one side under braking. This hasn't done it yet, but I should be replacing this really shouldn't I? Has anyone else had any problems with cracked Ferodos?

Yes, it was the same caliper as when the EBCs cracked. Yes I think it was because of the corrosion behind the retaining mechanism, which wasn't allowing the pad to retract properly and was putting an asymetric force through the pad, and also causing it to stick on after braking, causing the noise.

Whilst I'm loathe to replace my entire braking system again after just 12 months, it is concerning me that in those 12 months I will have got through 3 sets of front pads! I don't have the money for a complete new set of calipers, carriers, pads and discs right now...

[audiman]

The brake pads have been getting too hot, in otherwords, due to the fact that they were tight in the caliper the pad could not retract away from the disc. This is what has caused the pad to overheat and crack IMHO.

[dan_b]

Yes I think you're right :-( Question is, can I pull the same trick on Ferodo as I did on EBC and get a full refund/free replacement?

I managed to remove a whole heap of corrosion from behind the retainer and there is now free play in the pad, but I fear that for that pad above, the damage has already been done? These pads were expensive.

Re the overheating thing - there was no external visable evidence of the pad cooking - ie. that disc didn't look like it was turning blue or anything. Mind you, come to think of it, that was the inside pad, so I guess I wouldn't have seen it...

[audiman]

It did overheat, you can try sending back at ferodo. Nothing to lose i guess. They are expensive, thats why you must make sure that everything else is ok. Now you have sorted the problem out, i doubt that you will experience the same problem. I have those pads in my car and have been trashing the hell out of it and done a track day. No cracks.

[dan_b]

Exactly - Lee's been thrashing seven shades of sh*t out of his Ferodos to no ill effect, so I'm surprised that they've cracked from the use that they've had since I've had them on my car - this set of pads haven't been tracked. I've ordered a replacement set anyway and Graham Goode have said that I should send the old ones back to them and they'll see what they can do: the chap at GG said he'd never heard of a single set of DS2500s being returned before...

As you say, now I've got rid of most of the corrosion the retention plates are much freer, so hopefully I've nipped the problem in the bud.

[audiman]

Lets hope so

[dan_b]

Yes, that's what my credit card is saying at the moment too!

[Lee]

Damn good pads...no problems from here. Those DS2500 pads were nearly £200 for my calipers but an absolute bargain as I am still on my first set after some monumental abuse for well over a year...well with a short stint on Pagid Oranges in between for a proper comparison!! Big disks sure do cut down on pad wear.

I check pads regularly by removing them from the calipers...and returning them in the same positions! Got to be done if you hammer the crap out of them.....reminds me, need to split my disks/bells apart to see how they are doing.

[audiman]

I have worn out my first set of DS2500, they have been in there a good while now. And done some serious hard driving, inc track days. I WILL be buying moreof these pads as i find that they are the best so far.

[dan_b]

Well again this is what I'm concerned about -the actual pad wear on these DS2500s has been really low, they're fantastic for that, hence a bit surprised to see them cracked. I've not really hammered the brakes that much since putting the Ferodos on, only a few times!

I'll see what happens and let the forum know how I get on. Glad I checked my brakes thoroughly at the weekend really - what with that and doing the fluid change (nasty spunky stuff came out, urgh!). Got to keep the brakes in tip top condition IMHO.