| Author | Message | ||
     Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 357 Registered: 4-2003 |
20,000-series cars, and all cars modified to have wear sensors on the front brake pads (outlined in a factory bulletin), can use plain pads modified as below. No glue or parts are required, just a 5mm drill. Silver Shadow cars from chassis 12951 and all corniches, and pre-20,000 series SZ cars have the same brake pads. The only difference is that one pad on each front wheel of a 20,000+ series car has a sensor fitted. Provided the Too Late light on the dashboard has not illuminated, the sensor can be easily reused. This is particularly useful as aftermarket pads are available (eg Lucas) but without sensors. They cost a fraction of the sensor-equipped pad. For example, even Brabo sell Lucas pads for EUR60 a set or Crewe pads with sensors for EUR136. I think that PBR in Australia sell pads for these cars without sensors, but a good brake specialist will know. The pictures tell the story. Briefly, drill a 5mm hole through the bottom left of the new pad backing plate and swap the sensor from the old pad to the new one. Once assembled, simply push the sensor home with your thumb. The wire sheath holds the sensor in place as with a new one. I did one on a used pad today as an experiment, and it took a few minutes using a bench drill. On the next pads I buy I shall fit the sensors myself. Used sensor pad (a modified plain one is identical)  Drill and plain pad  Newly drilled pad, 5mm  Wire and holder slid out  Wire holder  Wire and holder ready in new pad  Ready to push home  | ||
| Larry Halpert Frequent User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2003 |
As in our other earlier posts on this subject, I was hoping there would be a way to modify the standard pads, but this is beyond what either of us expected. It is a great thing you had kept the older pads, and thought it worth looking over. This is even more of a money saving idea than your earlier fuel filter post! As you seem to change your pads every 18,000 miles, that will definitely add up. Also, I would stay away from PBR pads, as they have serious problems in the rain. What I was also wondering is who actually makes the pads in the Rolls/Bentley packaging? Larry | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 358 Registered: 4-2003 |
Larry, I think the original pads are supplied by Ferodo (a Federal Mogul company these days). This is supported by the part number stamped on a new Crewe plain pad: FER 3416F FF 438101. It all sounds a bit Ferodoish don't you think ? Also look at the link below, where they offer pads for $12.96 per wheel (4 pads). http://store.yahoo.com/classicgarage/486.html I shall contact them and ask what material they use, and if possible the manufacturer. I have already sent a request to another firm in the US. Thanks for your warning on PBR. Is that general, or specific to Crewe cars ? RT. ps we are lucky that the earlier pads with embedded sensors were superseded by these ones with a removable sensor !! The sensors work either by shorting to the rotor or breaking the circuit if the wire wears through. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 359 Registered: 4-2003 |
Larry, I have ordered 8 pads from Classic Garage over the Internet. They claim to be "organic" material, so let's see what they are ! I should now do some research on the semi-metallic ones offered for $20 a side. I'll keep you posted. At just US$25 for a full set I can afford to trash them if they are no good. They also offer rear pad sets at just $69 with the same "Organic" UK Mintex friction material for Shadows from chassis 15950 and Spirits etc, so I ordered the fronts with that material. The semi-metallic ones are made in North America. | ||
| Larry Halpert Frequent User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2003 |
On the PBR pads, its the material they use in their pads, so it applies to all makes. Here's a sample set of opinions: http://jimrothe.com/volvo/pbr_brake_pads.html | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 360 Registered: 4-2003 |
Larry, Note: The amalgamated PBR (Paton's Brake Replacements) and REPCO (Replacement Engine Parts COmpany), called Repco PBR for the last 25 years, are both of Australian origin way back, but the combined entity is owned abroad nowadays. Remember the Repco Brabham Formula 1 campaigns ?? Mintex are still UK owned I believe, but PBR / REPCO are now North American based. Maybe the Mintex pads are in fact OEM or similar. As I hinted, I have ordered a set of Mintex pads, fully prepared to ditch them if they are rubbish (I have two full sets of genuine Crewe / Ferodo ?? pads front and rear in the cellar on reserve). This is an experiment as you have probably worked out. I'll be looking closely at the part numbers marked on the pads when they arrive. RT. | ||
| Larry Halpert Frequent User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2003 |
Bringing replacement front pad costs for 20,000 series cars, and others using sensor pads down from $150+ US dollars down to about $25US is a good discovery & test result. Larry | ||
| Larry Halpert Prolific User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2003 |
In doing further research, I have been able to extract out the actual Ferodo part number for our brake pads with the sensor hole already drilled (unlike others). Of course it is not printed on the factory pads, and Crewe will not tell you as they are not supposed to be sold as an aftermarket item. Does anyone have a parts store that can supply Ferodo pads? The number to order is simply FDB1284. Here's a pic from Ferodo's catalog:  Larry tbird@consultant.com | ||
| Gordon Norris Prolific User Username: crewes_missile Post Number: 109 Registered: 2-2005 |
That's brilliant detective work Larry! Amazing what you can find if you dig deep enough. Is the actual pad material OK though, as I think the RR/B material is extremely hard, almost race hard by normal standards, to cope with the massive weight of the cars? Pads may have similar profiles, but pad material can vary. GN. | ||
| Larry Halpert Prolific User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2003 |
The Ferodo factory rep emailed me that picture, as I was trying to cross reference Ferodo with other brands that I knew had similar pads, but not exact. I asked him what the pad was applicable to, and he said it is supplied OEM to Rolls among other things. Luckily he was nice enough to not be secretive about this info like everyone else. Being in the US, that particular pad number is not easily available here, but if someone has a local parts store in Europe or Australia that carries the Ferodo line, it would be interesting to know its aftermarket price. Larry | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 386 Registered: 9-2004 |
The pads are no problem here UK lucas GDB660 Bendix, Auto delta, and EBC list them78+66+15 thick. With the centre hole. About £12-00 to £15-00+VAT | ||
| Larry Halpert Prolific User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 93 Registered: 9-2003 |
Its not the center hole that was the question, but the sensor hole on the lower left as in pic above. Ferodo 1284. The ones you mention are available for $7-$12 US for set of 4, very easily from Classic Garage, etc. Larry (Message edited by Larry Halpert on September 25, 2006) | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 610 Registered: 9-2004 |
Quite correct meant the sensor hole. Cost trade a little less than stated. | ||
| Larry Halpert Prolific User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 94 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Pat, Just to clarify, you mentioned GDB660. That pad does NOT have the sensor hole. Do you know a brand & part number that DOES? What is current cost? Larry |
