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[Webby the Bear]

Just put a set of Mintex front discs and pads on the Omega.

They're noisy! I've bedded them in over 200 miles and I'm gentle on my brakes anyway. Anyone else gritted these? I'm going to get them to do me a set of Brembos under warranty!!!

[Webby the Bear]

*edit. Fitted, not "gritted" 

[TheBoy]

I had a set early in my Omega ownership.  I didn't regret my purchase for too long, as I prompted warped them...   ...and the replacement set when they went back

[Webby the Bear]

lol yeah but this is you TB 

They shouldn't be squeaking with my tunnie-esque driving!

[TheBoy]

lol yeah but this is you TB 

They shouldn't be squeaking with my tunnie-esque driving!

Do they squeak under heavy braking?

[Webby the Bear]

No mate. The squeak happens as I'm gently (ish) slowing down coming up to a junction. Heavy braking no noise.

[Stige]

Angle grinder and make a shallow vertical cut in the middle of the pad.

[STEMO]

No mate. The squeak happens as I'm gently (ish) slowing down coming up to a junction. Heavy braking no noise.

This is exactly what happens with the nearside rear on my astra. I just lift off a bit and re-apply and it stops. I’ll get it looked at at service/mot time.

[Webby the Bear]

Angle grinder and make a shallow vertical cut in the middle of the pad.

We do this when folk ask for a brake service. Nice chamfer on the sides of pad material. Clean up pad ears. Clean up slides. Grease up. JD.

However as these are brand new pads I don't want to void the warranty and therefore will simply get them to send me a better set under said warranty. 👍

[TheBoy]

They are, of course, really shitty pads. You can't expect miracles.

That aside, did you clean up calipers before fitting, and use proper coppaslip (not the cheap shit that washes away), and do you have play in the sliders?

[Bigron]

Oh dear, Kwik-Shit fitted Mintex to my Omega - I saw the coutier bring the pads in and he was labelled "Mintex". Should I be worried? 

Ron.

[TheBoy]

Oh dear, Kwik-Shit fitted Mintex to my Omega - I saw the coutier bring the pads in and he was labelled "Mintex". Should I be worried? 

Ron.

Of course they fitted the cheapest they could get.  I'd imagine they cost £10-£15.  If the say they will replace them for life, they have to be cheap, just in case they actually can't wiggle out of that promise.

[TheBoy]

But, no, given your suggested driving style, I think you'll be fine

[Bigron]

Thanks TB. What could the problem be with a more vigorous driving style - brake fade? Or short life, maybe?

Ron.

[Bigron]

The pads that Kwik-Shit replaced were ones that they fitted 30k miles ago, at Boscombe branch. No idea what make they were, but they seem to have lasted well.

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Thanks TB. What could the problem be with a more vigorous driving style - brake fade? Or short life, maybe?

Ron.

Both , if you drive like TB does. Rumour has it, its a style that would scare the shite out of Lewis Hamilton. 

[TheBoy]

Thanks TB. What could the problem be with a more vigorous driving style - brake fade? Or short life, maybe?

Ron.

General ineffectiveness and huge amounts of fade under even minor abuse.

[TheBoy]

The pads that Kwik-Shit replaced were ones that they fitted 30k miles ago, at Boscombe branch. No idea what make they were, but they seem to have lasted well.

Ron.

I'm guessing you get good mpg

[TheBoy]

Thanks TB. What could the problem be with a more vigorous driving style - brake fade? Or short life, maybe?

Ron.

Both , if you drive like TB does. Rumour has it, its a style that would scare the shite out of Lewis Hamilton. 

Oi! I'll have you know I'm now the model driver, mostly keeping to my new year resolution to drive slower...

Just call me Daisy. Miss Daisy.

[Bigron]

Can you have "good mpg" and "Omega" in the same sentence? Classic oxymoron!
Unless you are clever, like Nige, and have LPG conversion? 

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Thanks TB. What could the problem be with a more vigorous driving style - brake fade? Or short life, maybe?

Ron.

Both , if you drive like TB does. Rumour has it, its a style that would scare the shite out of Lewis Hamilton. 

Oi! I'll have you know I'm now the model driver, mostly keeping to my new year resolution to drive slower...

Just call me Daisy. Miss Daisy.

And I have a pet unicorn which is training my pet pig to fly. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Can you have "good mpg" and "Omega" in the same sentence? Classic oxymoron!
Unless you are clever, like Nige, and have LPG conversion? 

Ron.

Or a manual desmond

[terry paget]

Can you have "good mpg" and "Omega" in the same sentence? Classic oxymoron!
Unless you are clever, like Nige, and have LPG conversion? 

Ron.

I was pleased if I could 25mpg out of my 24 valve Senators. I get 30mpg from my 2.5 estates, which seems good to me for a near 2 ton luxury car.

[TheBoy]

Can you have "good mpg" and "Omega" in the same sentence? Classic oxymoron!
Unless you are clever, like Nige, and have LPG conversion? 

Ron.

All v6 petrols need lpg

I suspect your mpg is far better than most with same car if you get 30k from pads

[Bigron]

I try not to brake too much, for fear of wearing them out! Anyone got a new front bumper? 

Ron.

[Webby the Bear]

To be fair Mintex are priced in the midrange category. I've had them on the rear with no problem at all. There are some really cheap pads out there. Drive master is the one to definitely avoid.

As for my installation yes I used the proper ceratec on the pads and silicone pasted my slides. 👍

My braking needs are never going to be like yours TB. But in return for being gentle on my brakes I would expect them to be quiet. I must remember to ring and get some brembos. Assuming brembo do omega pads?

[Kevin Wood]

As with most manufacturers, they will make high end pads and cheap motor factor pads.

The Mintex pads I use on the kit car are excellent, and without a brake servo you really do notice what they are doing. Then again, they are about £60 an axle set, IIRC.

If you pay standard factor prices of £15 or so you will be getting a pad that meets the legal requirements and will be perfectly adequate for 99% of motorists, but don't be surprised if they aren't the ultimate in performance or refinement.

[Bigron]

Thanks Kevin.
So, in another 30k miles when these Mintex pads are beginning to wear down, what should I replece them with?

Ron.

[ronnyd]

Drogue chute i reckon Ron lad.

[Kevin Wood]

Thanks Kevin.
So, in another 30k miles when these Mintex pads are beginning to wear down, what should I replece them with?

Ron.

More of the same and turn the radio up a tad.

[Bigron]

Nah, me wireless don't work! 

Ron.

[TheBoy]

To be fair Mintex are priced in the midrange category.

Because of the name . Their aftermarket spec pads are definitely not god enough to be classed as midrange. They are budget.

Brembo also do (expensive) cheapo pads, which are also shite. And not to be confused with the decent stuff sold through specialist outlets.

On an Omega, you have a simple option for cheap - TC pads. Nothing in the sub £50 bracket comes close. Only downside is a dead feeling for the first 100 yards when they haven't been used for a few days. Around £15+VAT on TC, or free with the (also very good) TC disc sets.

Why oh why people piss around with other cheap pads on an Omega is a complete mystery to me.

[TheBoy]

As with most manufacturers, they will make high end pads and cheap motor factor pads.

Exactly the point, and most factors won't list the expensive options...

[Bigron]

Why oh why people piss around with other cheap pads on an Omega is a complete mystery to me.

Mystery solved, TB - I knew nothing of this and just let Kwik-Shit honour their warranty.
Can you see where I went wrong, there?

Also. I don't have TC and no longer have the ability to mend much other than the simplest things myself - anno domini, you understand!

Ron.

[Webby the Bear]

News to me also. I didn't know factors brand x was any different to somewhere else's brand x.

So say I wanted "decent" mintex where does one purchase???

[ronnyd]

Nah, me wireless don't work! 

Ron.

Did you ever manage to get it out Ron. The radio i mean.

[Bigron]

Nope, it's stuck fast - the radio, I mean!
Short of taking a chain saw to the dash, I can't get the son of a bachelor out - the radio I mean!
Thanks for your interest though. 
Ron.

[TheBoy]

Nope, it's stuck fast - the radio, I mean!
Short of taking a chain saw to the dash, I can't get the son of a bachelor out - the radio I mean!
Thanks for your interest though. 
Ron.

I'm gonna have to get to one of these Essex meets some time, seems like there are a few niggles that need sorting...

[Bigron]

You would be as welcome as flowers in Spring, TB - but I bet you wouldn't be able to get my radio out!
If by some mirale you xould, it still wouldn't work as I don't know the code for the radio.

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If its a standard CD radio, used ones are cheap as chips - I wouldn't pay more than £20 for one - so just pull it out, even if you wreck it in the process. 

[Bigron]

It's a CCR2006, Albs - and it just won't come out without wrecking the facia.
I can get it out a couple of inches, then it will go back just enough to clear the (auto) gear lever.

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If it will pull out a couple of inches, I would have thought it would come the whole way out with a good yank. 

[johnnydog]

To be fair Mintex are priced in the midrange category.

Because of the name . Their aftermarket spec pads are definitely not god enough to be classed as midrange. They are budget.

Brembo also do (expensive) cheapo pads, which are also shite. And not to be confused with the decent stuff sold through specialist outlets.

On an Omega, you have a simple option for cheap - TC pads. Nothing in the sub £50 bracket comes close. Only downside is a dead feeling for the first 100 yards when they haven't been used for a few days. Around £15+VAT on TC, or free with the (also very good) TC disc sets.

Why oh why people piss around with other cheap pads on an Omega is a complete mystery to me.

Not wanting to be argumentative on the subject of Mintex pads, but my thoughts about Mintex has to be formed on the basis of my own experiences - I have fitted Mintex for many years in different cars ranging from Honda, Audi, VW, Kia, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot, Ford (can't remember all the other vehicles I've fitted them to), and I've never had any complaints, either about pedal feel or noise. Fitment has always been good too (no filing to fit). Their pads that I have fitted to my own cars have also been very good.
So I personally don't quite get the statements that Mintex are shite - just as similar comments that Bosal exhausts are cheap and nasty, which I also have to disagree with.

[Bigron]

I think it's the CAGE that is coming out, Albs.

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

You then need to use either the little tools made for the job, or jam thin screwdrivers or similar into the 4 holes in the front to allow the unit to separate from the cage. 

[Bigron]

Done all that, Albs. Proper tools and skinny screwdrivers - still stuck fast! 

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Crowbar then. 
Sounds like the cage isn't secured so the whole lot is coming out until you start pulling on the wiring. Don't know how you would disconnect the wiring plugs from the back in that scenario. 
Might be accessible if you remove the clocks. Cant picture it without being in the car.

[Webby the Bear]

To be fair Mintex are priced in the midrange category.

Because of the name . Their aftermarket spec pads are definitely not god enough to be classed as midrange. They are budget.

Brembo also do (expensive) cheapo pads, which are also shite. And not to be confused with the decent stuff sold through specialist outlets.

On an Omega, you have a simple option for cheap - TC pads. Nothing in the sub £50 bracket comes close. Only downside is a dead feeling for the first 100 yards when they haven't been used for a few days. Around £15+VAT on TC, or free with the (also very good) TC disc sets.

Why oh why people piss around with other cheap pads on an Omega is a complete mystery to me.

Not wanting to be argumentative on the subject of Mintex pads, but my thoughts about Mintex has to be formed on the basis of my own experiences - I have fitted Mintex for many years in different cars ranging from Honda, Audi, VW, Kia, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot, Ford (can't remember all the other vehicles I've fitted them to), and I've never had any complaints, either about pedal feel or noise. Fitment has always been good too (no filing to fit). Their pads that I have fitted to my own cars have also been very good.
So I personally don't quite get the statements that Mintex are shite - just as similar comments that Bosal exhausts are cheap and nasty, which I also have to disagree with.

I too have never had a bad word to say about them. Other than these omega fronts that are noisy.

Still curious to hear about factors vs specialist outlet pads as I never knew there was any difference.

[BazaJT]

I'm with you on that one Webby,I never knew there was a difference either.Don't know what pads are in the Omega as they were in when I bought it six years ago,can't even tell you what's in the V70 and I've only recently replaced those.

[Doctor Gollum]

Crowbar then. 
Sounds like the cage isn't secured so the whole lot is coming out until you start pulling on the wiring. Don't know how you would disconnect the wiring plugs from the back in that scenario. 
Might be accessible if you remove the clocksdashboard. Cant picture it without being in the car.

Not pulling hard enough when it stops...

[biggriffin]

To be fair Mintex are priced in the midrange category.

Because of the name . Their aftermarket spec pads are definitely not god enough to be classed as midrange. They are budget.

Brembo also do (expensive) cheapo pads, which are also shite. And not to be confused with the decent stuff sold through specialist outlets.

On an Omega, you have a simple option for cheap - TC pads. Nothing in the sub £50 bracket comes close. Only downside is a dead feeling for the first 100 yards when they haven't been used for a few days. Around £15+VAT on TC, or free with the (also very good) TC disc sets.

Why oh why people piss around with other cheap pads on an Omega is a complete mystery to me.

.

Must agree with our leader on this, GM pads and discs, are cheap enough and proven to work well for daily use, if you need better brakes then contact Serek for a BIG BRAKE upgrade.

[Webby the Bear]

Just a quick update.

Got a new set of pads sent out under warranty. Rechecked previous fitting. All fine as expected. The new set were "Girling". We've used them a few times but not often.

However pleased to report all quiet again 👍👍👍

Definitely going to avoid Mintex from now on.