TARGET CHECKED OUT BRAKE INSPECTORS IN AUCKLAND

[Habanero666]

Did anyone see the episode of Target tonite? I was absolutely appalled at the level of incompetence displayed by these so called " Brake technicians"!

The job was to check the brake pads, rotors (discs), hoses and test the fluid for water content ( boiling point)

All I can say after seeing this people is: Insist on a professional inspection, or do the work yourself!!!

[ham]

Have to agree. It was a shocker!!

[Mark]

What did they find out? (I missed it)

I can guess perhaps. Only because we were next door on other business, I got my wife to take my (then not so) old Safari to a well-known brake & muffler national chain, 'cause I couldn't be stuffed doing the pads myself. They sincerely ensured her that the discs desperately needed to be machined, the fluid (that I'd changed a few months before) must be replaced, and that as it was a 2 1/2 tonne serious off-road machine, it needed special expensive ceramic pads and they wouldn't dream of putting OEM spec pads in. They quoted $700.
That was over 10 years ago.
Since then and 150,000 km later the discs have never been machined, and still don't look like they need it, new ordinary pads cost $35 every three years or so, and the brakes work just fine, including when towing my 2 1/2 tonne boat. Adjusting the hand brake (transmission brake) is a pain in the neck, but apart from that it's dead easy. It's never failed a WOF. I kind of like the old beast - as I like my MX5, both seem simple, well designed and engineered without compromise (touch wood). I've got to learn to not wave to MX5s when driving the Safari though - it's just not right.

90% of people don't have a clue themselves, so if they've set up a business model that only eliminates 10% of the market, then they're on to a good thing - so long as they can sleep at night.

[Habanero666]

None of the workshops passed the Target test!
Lets hope peoples MX5 brakes are up to it, for the up coming 20th anniversary run ey!!

[WideOpenThrottle]

If it ain't broke!-dont fix it comes to mind.
Generally modern brakes will squeal at you when the pads are getting low as they have a thin plate that rubs on the disc
Brake fluid does absorb water but at what point in time does it pose a problem as i have never purposefully replaced the fluid other than the occaisional bleeding on numerous vehicles that i have owned for long periods.I suspect for serious racers water in your fluid is a problem as your brakes will be running near boiling point all the time-but for the average motorist?
A lot of these business make out you need to do this & that for no other reason than to make more money per customer that walks in their door.
As a teenager i put my car in for one bearing to be replaced in the drivetrain only to be stung with a bill for five times what it should have cost as the guy said needed to do all the other bearings in the system.
What peeved me off was the fact that there was no consultation or proof of what actually was done!
Luckily my apprenticeship was in the engineering trade so i was able to do most of my repairs myself after that.
Having said that there are some very reputable mechanics out there and most in my experience are the small, personal hands-on business owners.

[Stevo]

Water in the fluid is not too good. I had this problem once and lost all braking on a trip around the East Cape, the fluid boiled and the pedal went to the floor. The other problem is the moisture will cause corrosion of the Master cylinder and you will need to get it machined and re-kitted at some stage. Having said this, I still never replace my brake fluid.(':oops:') Perhaps I should do the MX5 as its now 11 years old and may still have the original fluid? Cheers Stevo

[Habanero666]

Regular servicing is most certainly a must for hard drivers, although I have often had issues with people not wanting to spend money on there vehicles, ie: they buy an expensive european/ sports car with all the modern saftey features, and they replace their tires with the cheapest brand shitte and put cheap ass non genuine, super dusty, ultra squeely, aftermarket brake pads into em!!
Defies my sense of logic...

Yes and no, a lot of motorists havn't a clue when it comes to mantaining there car, and will often wear the brake pads right down so the brake pad backing plate is scoring its way into the brake disc! This could have been avoided by simply lubricating the caliper slider pins, as it is usually just one pad that will do it, then you will have to do both sides (pads and rotors) in order to keep a safe balance at that axle.... Some see that as unnecessary spending, they are the "she'll be right" people.

Heard a horror story from a colleague, of an older lass who did the above and kept going even after the brake pad dropped out of the caliper and popped the piston out pilling fluid every where...only came in because the pedal was hitting the floor!!!!

Brake fluid should be replaced every 2-3 years as per manufacturers recommendation. If you want the seals and pipes to be rust free and non perished. It also helps to avoid spongey pedal and general poor braking performance or complete braking loss

Yes! unfortunately there are "money makers" out there.... so chose those who are reputable in their respective trades

[Mark]

Water in the fluid is not too good. I had this problem once and lost all braking on a trip around the East Cape, the fluid boiled and the pedal went to the floor. The other problem is the moisture will cause corrosion of the Master cylinder and you will need to get it machined and re-kitted at some stage. Having said this, I still never replace my brake fluid.(':oops:') Perhaps I should do the MX5 as its now 11 years old and may still have the original fluid? Cheers Stevo

You could get it checked for free, apparently (I looked at the Target programme on TV3's website), some would do brake fluid tests as part of a free safety check. I guess those electronic meters just measure resistance.
I drove pretty briskly with a passenger from Hilltop toward Akaroa the other day- no cars in front, and plenty of twisties with a good surface, and I was on the brakes pretty hard. Mine's just an NB8a, so not the huge discs in some of the NB8Bs etc. The brakes weren't exactly cold, but they weren't extremely hot either by the time we got down. Compare coming down that same road in our shopping dray (97 pulsar with A/T), and the brakes are literally smoking when we get to the bottom (when my wife is driving - she doesn't shift the A/T down to save the brakes).
With light weight and pretty good brakes, and as you're unlikely to be carrying a heavy load, I guess it would take some serious effort to boil MX5 brakes. On the other hand - it only needs to happen once, and...

[Habanero666]

Brake fluid tester boils the tested fluid and measures its boiling point (vapourisation) due to the sudden rise in current required by the heater when the fluid changes state the temperature sensor is tripped to take the reading in dgrees celsius.

I have upgraded the brakes in my car to suit the requirements imposed by the turboed engine, and my driving style. Brake fluid gets changed evry track day and so do the pads.