I took my '03 blob STI for its MOT today and I asked the guys doing it to replace the rear discs and pads with a new set that I provided them with.

They tell me that the handbrake pads are worn and that, rather than have everything off twice, it would make more sense to get the handbrake pads first and then they can do the whole lot in one go.

I didn't even know there were separate pads for the handbrake but can someone point me in the direction of somewhere I can buy some other than a Subaru main dealer, where they would no doubt charge me £150?

 

GODSPEED BRAKES On here will be able to help message him mate

 

http://www.importcarparts.co.uk/part...en=&searchKey=

Check weather you need 190mm or the 170mm versions first though.

 

They will be the 190mm handbrake , our supplier can't supply us these , but check with them they do need changing , we don't have to change many of them , as you don't use them when your moving they never seem to wear down , they are very thin to start with , only 4mm thick , so when mechanics strip them down , they naturally assume they are worn , when they are not.

 

That's interesting and thank you for the reply.

I have just been to collect my car and unfortunately I didn't get it back because it turns out that Kwik-Fit stripped two of the threads on my calipers and then just Loctited the bolt back in . While I was there, the mechanic (who is good but not a Scooby specialist) showed me the pads and they did look thin but if they only start off 4mm thick, they should last a while yet. They aren't down to the metal so I'll just get them to adjust the brakes in that case.

Your advice was very helpful and I'll remember that the next time I need some pads (which won't be that long, the fronts are three quarters worn).

I had Kwik-Fit replace all my pads a while ago and it has been a tale of disaster. They sheared a bolt off my front calipers and I had to pay £1000 for a replacement (which I now realise I should have got from a breaker) and now I find they have effectively glued my brakes back together. Even though the deal at the time was pay once and Kwik-Fit will replace the pads forever for the life of the car, I wouldn't trust them to pump the tires up much less work on my brakes again ,

 

Just for you to know for future reference , if you have damaged threads or snapped bolts in the calipers , I can fix this with a helicoil , I charge £30 per thread

Cheers Ian

 

That's what I'm having done (although I'm paying more than that for it). I need this doing in a hurry as I'm going on holiday in my car on Monday but if it happens again I'll bear you in mind. Where are you based BTW?

 

We are based in South Wales , we can generally fix them the day we get them in , pack them up and send them out so you get them back next day , we realise people need there cars every day so we can mostly do them straight away