25 replies to this topic

[Pitmonster]

Hi all,

Mk2 Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec

I'm considering fitting new front discs and pads to my Focus - not as a performance upgrade, just routine maintenance.

I've changed brakes plenty of times in th past so I'll most likely do this myself, getting the parts from somewhere like Euro Car Parts or similar.

The problem is that when I go on the ECP site there's various brands and prices, and I don't know which are the correct ones:

Front discs - brands are Pagid or Eicher, and prices are from £30 to £46
There seem to be 2 sizes - 278 and 300mm. Which do I need?
(I have 16" wheels, car is diesel)

Front pads - brands are Pagid or Eicher, and prices are from £21 to £33
There seems to be only one specification, so does it matter what size disc I have? Will the same pad fit both disc sizes?

Are the two brands compatible? Will I buy one and find they don't fit?
(I once had this with a previous car - the manufacturer used 2 brake suppliers and I managed to buy the wrong part. Although it was the correct part for that model/year, through pure bad luck it wasn't the correct part for *my* car, if you know what I mean)

Or can anyone suggest the right parts to get and where to get them from?

Finally, are their any special tools I need or tricks I need to know?

Thanks for your help.

[stef123]

The 1.8 tdci uses 300mm front and 280 rear. Used plenty pagid brake parts, seem ok.

[Pitmonster]

Thanks for that :-)

Do the same pads fit both disc sizes?

[stef123]

No there are front pads and rear pads. The front 280 or 300mm use the same pads however.
The 280 rears use smaller pads

[grahamp]

I was having a look for the same as mine will need doing within the next couple of thousand miles, but the Pagid stuff looks pretty expensive on ECP... the discs are priced each, not for a pair.

I've seen recommendations for the guy knocking out Mintex stuff on eBay, might go down that route myself.

[stef123]

remember you get a discount through the forum for ECP - 25%. unless of course they have a better offer on the site

[ShinyAndy]

remember you get a discount through the forum for ECP - 25%.

How do you get that?

[stef123]

FOCCOM25 at checkout. Think that's the code...

[ShinyAndy]

Cheers

[Pitmonster]

FOCCOM25 at checkout. Think that's the code...

I never knew that, thanks.

Do you get the discount in person?
There's a branch of ECP not far from me and I would rather pick the parts up than get them posted.

[stef123]

I never knew that, thanks.

Do you get the discount in person?
There's a branch of ECP not far from me and I would rather pick the parts up than get them posted.

if you order online to pick up in store you will get the discount

[Pitmonster]

Excellent!

Do I need any special tools to fit front discs & pads, or need to know any special tricks, or is it pretty straightforward?

[grahamp]

Bit of a late reply to last question, no its pretty straightforward. Apart from the usual tools you'll need;
Torque wrench to do securing bolts up correctly
Hex socket of the right size for mounting bolts
Wire brush and can of brake cleaner (new discs usually have a coating to stop tarnishing which needs removing)
G clamp or piston retractor (not the wind back sort) to push piston back
Hose clamp and length of bleed pipe so fluid isnt pushed back up the system when piston is pushed back in



Anyway, a question to the forum.... Sources and makes of brake parts. I need to do all my discs/pads, buying all Pagid stuff off ECP would cost £150 including their current 30% discount. I'll call my other local motor factors for prices too, but does anyone recommend any other online sources that could be better value? Any makes to avoid?

[stef123]

35% off at euro car parts for brake disc/pads at the moment.

[grahamp]

Good spot, cheers. Actually I've been going by Haynes spec for disc diameters but I've got a feeling they're wrong, better pop it up later and measure.... could be all in for under £130 with the promo code.