What brake pads

[Sike]

Can some one please help me, i need to get some new rear brake pads but there seems to be a couple of sizes, i dont want to end up ordering the wrong ones. My cars a 2003 2.2 16v sri.

Thanks guys

[Rebellion]

It's really not very hard to find the information if you look in the brakes section and see the sticky thread:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...mparison-Chart

[boxman]

My advice would be only buy genuine GM pads - I fitted 3 different pads (pattern parts) and all rattled like nothing on earth!

[Big Dave]

Chances are, if the pads need replacing, so do the discs. Pads these days are made from as hard a material as the discs and can wear at the same rate.

It can also be false economy to just buy pads when a brake kit works out cheaper than buying the discs and pads separately.

[Mr Owens]

Chances are, if the pads need replacing, so do the discs. Pads these days are made from as hard a material as the discs and can wear at the same rate.

It can also be false economy to just buy pads when a brake kit works out cheaper than buying the discs and pads separately.

Total rubbish mate, most discs last at least 2-3 pad changes especially on the rear

[Big Dave]

Total rubbish mate

So politely put!

most discs last at least 2-3 pad changes especially on the rear

Mine didn't. The discs were worn to almost their min thickness at first pad change. Also, when I changed the front pads, the discs would have been below their min thickness before they would need changing again.

As I previously said - false economy. Not to mention the hazzard of getting brake fade if the discs are worn.

Pricing up rear discs on their own, then pricing up rear discs and pads

REAR DISCS Approx £40 + vat
REAR DISCS AND PADS Approx £51 + vat

Can you buy rear OEM pads for £11 (+ vat) on their own?

[Mr Owens]

I'm sorry but in the last 14 years as a mechanic I've changed thousands of sets of brakes and very rarely do the discs need changing everytime the pads are changed unless the driver has been realy hard on the brakes

[CBR600FV]

Thats a bit harsh on a fellow member. Modern vehicles with pad material without asbestos do appear to be harsher on disc material and do wear the discs quicker. As you've only been a mechanic for 14 years then you might not appreciate that. Just to throw my bit in, we have 2 Vectra estates in the family, they both wear their rear pads out far quicker than the fronts possibly due to pressure proportioning/rear loading. Just had the front pads changed on one at 75k, original pads with plenty of life left. Had the discs changed as well as didn't think they'd last to the next change. For the price of replacement discs I don't think its worth not changing them.
changed

Total rubbish mate, most discs last at least 2-3 pad changes especially on the rear

[Pete B]

Chances are, if the pads need replacing, so do the discs. Pads these days are made from as hard a material as the discs and can wear at the same rate.

It can also be false economy to just buy pads when a brake kit works out cheaper than buying the discs and pads separately.

Yes, definitely false economy, especially if you plan keeping the car for a long time. I've never not changed discs (or drums where used) at the same time as pads (or shoes) on any of my cars since 1998 when observing for the first time how much faster the discs or shoes wore with then new asbestos free friction material than before.

I've just done a complete pad/disc change on my current car at 65k miles and the discs, although possibly just about OK now would not last another 65k miles or so. It was exactly the same when I changed them on my previous car, a Vectra C at the same mileage just over 12 months ago.

Not only that but worn discs/drums with modern friction material (which contain iron based materials amongst other things, just like the disc/drum material) are left with a much rougher surface than when asbestos based friction materials were used. New pads have to bed into this rough surface where old discs are being re-used so subsequent pad lifetime will be less, not to mention potential brake performance in emergency conditions during the bedding in period.

[Bigtee]

Replaced rear pads at 21k as worn low to same thickness as metal backing , but discs in very good condition.

Fronts are 35% worn hope they do to 38k.

It depends on how badly worn they are not every time you need to change discs more like second time.