Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: bert on 03 June 2010, 15:17:58

Title: Brake Pads
Post by: bert on 03 June 2010, 15:17:58
Hi all ive been told brake pads need changing soon how can i tell how much  i have  left and is it an easy task to renew them i never done brake pads before would like  to try diy.
cheers
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Varche on 03 June 2010, 15:46:25
easy enough job to do. However you need to have the corner you are working on safely up in the air as you need to remove the wheel. Don't for example just use the car jack.

Once the wheel is off you can see fairly easily the amount of pad left.

Although some chapters in Haynes manuals get the mickey taken sometimes, it is still a useful starting point with a wealth of info. They pop up at car boot sales regular enough.
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: bert on 03 June 2010, 16:20:20
Thanks Varche i have a couple of axle stands ill have a go  :y
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: miggy on 03 June 2010, 17:17:37
Get a new wear sensor (Front) if fitted as you can bet your life the old one will not come out in one piece, you can get them on ebay for a few quid.
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: bert on 03 June 2010, 18:20:02
is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: miggy on 03 June 2010, 18:22:13
Quote
is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel

Just the one, from memory mine was on the passenger side
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Glyn on 03 June 2010, 18:46:53
Hi
I,ve just done mine last weekend. Very easy actually.
However if you are doing the rears as well I would recomend you get pads that have new pins and springs with them, as my springs fell apart and were unusable once removed. I got mine from this chap. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Omega-Rear-Brake-Pads-pins-springs-G-M-Part-/220614786925?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item335daa7f6d.
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Andy B on 03 June 2010, 20:03:18
Quote
Quote
is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel

Just the one, from memory mine was on the passenger side

It depends how old your car is. The very late cars only have one (someone will know the date  ;)) but all others have two  :y
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: charlie on 03 June 2010, 20:07:12
up to my 2000 has two sensors,my year2001 onwards as one  :y :y
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Aicis on 03 June 2010, 22:06:13
Its easy to check the pads when the wheel is off.
I did mine about a month ago - real easy. took me about an hour/each side with all setups and clearups as i did them over 2 days.
Your brake discs probably will need skimming as well or just replace them (they will look nice and shiny :D). Replacement of the disc is real easy as log as you have gotten it off.
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: bert on 04 June 2010, 08:46:10
Thanks for the feedback guys much obliged :y ps my car is a 99 will there be two sensors?
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Aicis on 04 June 2010, 10:47:47
My car has 2 sensors on front pads, so yours probably has 2 as well.
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: jonathanh on 04 June 2010, 12:19:29
the other question is by someone has suggested changing the brake pads.  obviously because they are worn but what is the condition of the disks? they can wear at a similar rate and possible they wear unevenly

what this means is that a) it may not be economical to change pads alone as you'll be back soon changing disks and

b) if you have uneven wear on the disks then new pads are not going to help

changing disks as well is not difficult so do not get put off:  just make sure you have all the parts you need to change at once and take your time
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: bert on 04 June 2010, 15:42:58
 I was told disc,s are fine not much wear will this be ok not to change disc,s
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Aicis on 04 June 2010, 15:50:19
I would recommend skimming them.
You wont be able to do it by yourself unless you have the equipment of which im sure you have not.
I wasnt very keen on stretching the time i spend on changing the pads, so i just bought a set of discs and pads and changed them all.
The set was 109 quid from my local vauxhall dealer, but im sure you will get it cheaper as you are on mainland :)
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Andy B on 04 June 2010, 20:11:24
Quote
I would recommend skimming them.......

I wouldn't   by the time you've got to the stage where you might be thinking about a skim, it's afair bet that the discs will be near their min thickness anyway. You've have to fork out for machining (I tried to skin a pair at work, all clocked up in the lathe etc etc ........ they were a mile out when fitted - a local machinist is unlikely to be able to do better that I did)
Buy a new pair .... they're around £100 for discs & pads from vauxhall on Trade Club

Don't buy pattern, unless you want to repeat the process   
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: plym ian on 04 June 2010, 20:49:18
what are the best pad and discs to buy?
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Andy B on 04 June 2010, 20:55:13
Quote
what are the best pad and discs to buy?

Vauxhall's on Trade Club  ;)  ;)
OK their pads might not be the best, but they're certainly up to the job. Gixerchris will tell you that the 'proper' Vauxhall pads are hands down the better pad .... but they're £75-ish a set!  :-?
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: plym ian on 04 June 2010, 21:57:13
Quote
Quote
what are the best pad and discs to buy?

Vauxhall's on Trade Club  ;)  ;)
OK their pads might not be the best, but they're certainly up to the job. Gixerchris will tell you that the 'proper' Vauxhall pads are hands down the better pad .... but they're £75-ish a set!  :-?
cheers bit pricey will look into them :)
Title: Re: Brake Pads
Post by: Andy B on 04 June 2010, 22:00:30
Quote
Quote
Quote
what are the best pad and discs to buy?

Vauxhall's on Trade Club  ;)  ;)
OK their pads might not be the best, but they're certainly up to the job. Gixerchris will tell you that the 'proper' Vauxhall pads are hands down the better pad .... but they're £75-ish a set!  :-?
cheers bit pricey will look into them :)

Ordinary Trade Club pads are good enough for the rest of OOF mortals though  :y ;)