Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[JesterRT]

Hi all,

Got me some wishbones to fit, and looking forward to taking the car to pieces to do it.  It's the 'putting it back together' I hate as that's usually where I break stuff.

Anyway, although I have the wishbones themselves I read that it's wise to replace all the bolts at the same time.  I know these are only a few quid each, but are they on TC?  With the amount of oil & filters I go through I'm contemplating trying to get hold of a TC, so it'd be another excuse to get off my backside and get one.

Also, whilst I've got the car in bits, is it worth changing drop links or anything else around there?  I've an MOT due in August (a little way off I know) but I'm fairly certain that one of these, can't remember which side, was pulled up with an advisory to change it soon.

Last thing, promise, and the answer will probably be one of those 'how long's a piece of string' answer's, BUT, how long does an average set of brake pads/discs last (GM ones) doing mostly motorway miles.  A few averages or guesses would be a start...

Basically I want to go to Vauxhall with a shopping list, and I'd like to only go once...   I always forget something, or get halfway through a job and find I can't finish it because they're shut.

Thanks in advance for the help!  

[Jimbob]

definatley recommend getting a trade card, I saved about £250 in one trip!

If you (like me) fail to blag one, just join Autobahnstormers and you will have one in a few days.

Or find a local friend to lend you one.

[ClarCE]

Hi all,

Got me some wishbones to fit, and looking forward to taking the car to pieces to do it.  It's the 'putting it back together' I hate as that's usually where I break stuff.

Anyway, although I have the wishbones themselves I read that it's wise to replace all the bolts at the same time.  I know these are only a few quid each, but are they on TC?  With the amount of oil & filters I go through I'm contemplating trying to get hold of a TC, so it'd be another excuse to get off my backside and get one.

Also, whilst I've got the car in bits, is it worth changing drop links or anything else around there?  I've an MOT due in August (a little way off I know) but I'm fairly certain that one of these, can't remember which side, was pulled up with an advisory to change it soon.

Last thing, promise, and the answer will probably be one of those 'how long's a piece of string' answer's, BUT, how long does an average set of brake pads/discs last (GM ones) doing mostly motorway miles.  A few averages or guesses would be a start...

Basically I want to go to Vauxhall with a shopping list, and I'd like to only go once...   I always forget something, or get halfway through a job and find I can't finish it because they're shut.

Thanks in advance for the help!  

When I did mine I didn't replace any bolts.

I would do the droplinks at the same time - only a tenner each from Vauxhall Spares Centre - these come with new locking nuts. (Have fun getting the old ones off, if you don't use any heat that is! And if you do use heat, don't cook your abs sensors!)

As for brakes, I've only just replaced mine so couldn't tell you... Make sure you get new brake wear sensors if you get new pads, they pretty much always snap..

[JesterRT]

I wonder if the last person to change the pads on the car didn't replace the sensor properly as there's a fair bit of electricians tape wrapped up around something...

[theolodian]

I didn't replace my droplinks, but the nuts on the droplinks and pinch bolts were in a terrible state so I would suggest at least getting those - would have made it a fair bit easier.

Doing droplinks doesn't affect geometry, doing wishbones and struts does.  Therefore, not the end of the world if you wait on droplinks, but cheap and easy enough to do if you don't want to go back in again later.

My brakes have been on there since the dawn of time, so I would think that they last pretty long!  

[Dave-C]

Last thing, promise, and the answer will probably be one of those 'how long's a piece of string' answer's, BUT, how long does an average set of brake pads/discs last (GM ones) doing mostly motorway miles.  A few averages or guesses would be a start...


About 20 - 35 k, mine lasted 29k  that's mixed driving, Genuine GM too... It depends on your driving... possibly auto's are a little heavier on pads..

DC

[JesterRT]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Think I'll be getting the drop links so I don't have to spend another day under the car.

(This'll be my 50th post!  Wooooooo!!)

Once I have the parts and have a wheel off the car - expect that post count to double    (hopefully not - but hey - no guarantees!)

[Markjay]

Last thing, promise, and the answer will probably be one of those 'how long's a piece of string' answer's, BUT, how long does an average set of brake pads/discs last (GM ones) doing mostly motorway miles.  A few averages or guesses would be a start...


About 20 - 35 k, mine lasted 29k  that's mixed driving, Genuine GM too... It depends on your driving... possibly auto's are a little heavier on pads..

DC

That's about right, maybe a bit longer if you're doing motorway miles...

[TheBoy]

Last thing, promise, and the answer will probably be one of those 'how long's a piece of string' answer's, BUT, how long does an average set of brake pads/discs last (GM ones) doing mostly motorway miles.  A few averages or guesses would be a start...


About 20 - 35 k, mine lasted 29k  that's mixed driving, Genuine GM too... It depends on your driving... possibly auto's are a little heavier on pads..

DC

OP has a tractor, which is heavier, so may be a little harder on the pads....

That's about right, maybe a bit longer if you're doing motorway miles...