Brake pad replacement

[antodeco]

Hi all,
Going to venture into the unknown for me and replace the pads on my 1275gt.

My assumptions are: 8.4 discs at the front? (1980)
Drums on the rear?

How straight forward is it to replace the pads? Is it pop open the caliper, copper grease up new pads and in they pop, or is it more complicated?

Also, as I do a fair bit of M50 driving, I'll probably fit green stuff pads just to give me a little more confidence if a quick stop is required.

Thanks

[woody]

You will have to push the pistons back into the calipers to fit the new thicker pads, as you do so the brake fluid will rise in the mastercylinder and may overflow if you have toped it up.
On the rear take note (photo) of the way the pads are fitted (oppositte on each side) and the bottom spring only fits one way or it will wear and break.
Most brake manufacturers will offer pads in different materials for road, fast road and race, for daily use stick with road as the others will require a lot of heating up before they become effective.

[antodeco]

Thanks Woody. I assume I can just wedge the pistons back in using a long screw driver levered against the inner side of the caliper? I'll remove the top of the brake fluid reservoir just in case (I only topped it up about 2 weeks ago!)

Are you suggesting I stay away from the green pads?

[macker]

having used greenstuff pads in my own mini I can say that they need a good bit of heat to work well and they take a good bit to heat up properly, once it is wet out they cool quickly too!
my own advice would be to go for maybe the ferodo or more so the Pagid pads as these would seem to be better suited to road going minis and won't break the bank

[Dylan8660]

Yes, road pads for road use, there's no time to let them heat up when a kid runs out in front. if you think heat build up might be a problem then go for a high temperature brake fluid and/or fit stainless pistons.
Mintex serve me well.
A decent pair of pipe grips are good for getting the pistons back in.

[macker]

Have a read of this,
http://www.minimania.com/BRAKES___Pads_ ... meters_935

and maybe this,
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... IGOhtoxPZQ

[antodeco]

Thanks lads. Looks like the EBC Kevlar pads are the best? Work well from cold and low wear. Sound ideal!