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[TECHNOPUG]

Did some work on the car at the weekend. Changed the fuel filter and coolant - all good.

Got a brand new set of OE front discs and pads to go on the front. So started on the near side unit. Got everything off as far as the disc, only to discover that some numpty has over-tightened or not used any copper grease on the disc-retaining screw. So of course, the head just rounded as I tried to unscrew it. Unsure whether to apply some heat to it or just drill it out - suggestions people?

  As I had the brake unit apart, I decided that I may as well change the pads whilst I was there. Took the current pads out - seemed plenty of meat on them still and they had worn evenly. On closer inspection they turned out to be Pagid pads. I should have taken a note of the serial number. However, upon looking at the website for Pagid, they only list pads for the rear, not the front. The rears are £102 a pair from Pagid (for the cheapest ones in their range)! so I decided to leave them on and just replace and bleed the brake fluid.

 I wasn't aware that Pagid manufactured pads for other people (made to VX OE spec and sold as VX parts) so I'm a little perplexed  - ideas anyone? It's ex-Plod so it's possible that they used uprated pads - perhaps Pagid no longer stock them so that's why they aren't listed?

    So I now have a set of part worn Pagid pads of unknown spec, a set of brand new Black Diamond "Predator" pads that I ordered prior to taking the car to the 'ring but didn't arrive in time, and a set of OE pads that came with the discs that I bought from VX. I'll have to decide what to go for when I tackle the disc retaining screws and fit the new discs. Either way, I'll have at least one set of brand new pads available!

Andrew

[Kevin Wood]

Sometimes you can hammer an impact socket onto them - such as a male torx, for example, to get some purchase. Plenty of Plus Gas, of course.

Failing that, drill it out. It'll probably unscrew easily once the head comes off and the tension is released.

These screws only need to be hand-tight as they just centralise the disk and support it until the wheel's on.

Pagid pads are one of the better brands and expensive. I would guess they're an uprated pad specified for the plod, and maybe just sold on by VX, who won't make the OE ones anyway. Would be a shame to discard them, but if fitting new disks to replace worn ones, I wonder if they'd ever bed back in satisfactorily. Personally, if the disks are still safe, I'd use them until the pads have died then change both.

Kevin

[TECHNOPUG]

yeah, had the same disc retaining screws on my 205. No real problem if they are missing. Will probably just drills the heads off them.

  As you say, bedding worn pads with new discs is a problem, so I will definitely fit new pads when I fit the discs. Pads look a little glazed, although no scoring on the discs. I reckon that they need a bit of left foot braking abuse to bring them back to their best. I have no complaints with the brakes, certainly not now the fluid has been changed. Probably won't have the car long enough to wear out the pads, I only bought the new brakes as a precautionary service item.

  They do take a while to get up to temperature (which you'd expect from harder pads) so you have to be wary when driving in town. Had no problem hauling the car down from big speeds on the autobahn and 'ring though.

[Omegatoy]

done the same job today on mine didnt drill them just got a good quality centre puch with a sharp point couple of good wack with the hammer and it undid no problem so try that before you go drilling them out!! i then punched the centre pop all round the outside edge of the allen hole the allen key then was tight again to do it back up!!