Metal Matrix Composite VS Cast Iron Brake Systems

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:09 pm

Thanks Mikie711,

Yep, plenty spaces left might have a go at that in the morning, go grab some lunch, then check out the afternoon meeting too

Anyone else heading up for the Novice morning @ knockhill..? Mmm, wonder if to post this in the trackday section...

Cheers,
Pete

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:48 pm

Pedro did you mean to say the handling is not good in your Lotus?

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:58 am

Hi,

Yep handling not good at the moment, although it is going into the garage tomorrow to get new anti-roll bushes & hopefully the Geo checked, so after that I am hoping it will be much better

Brakes feel a bit off too, so will get these checked soon as well

Think I'll go to the Novice day Sat 24th, costs £50 tho! But should be good fun

Cheers,
Pete

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:01 am

Hey Guys,

I got the anti-roll bushes fitted yesterday, (nylatron), and the car feels better for it, although I still feel a lot of vibration through the steering, (could be the sh!t3 condition of Fife roads tho).

Looks like the rear brakes have brembo or ferodo pads fitted, standard & not MMC. I can't see the front pads though, I wonder if the rear's are iron discs, & MMC front, like RichardHumble had. Either way brakes are no good at speed, (find I brake with the gears & thanks to Lotus, the car just pulls out corners at speed, though this can be scary on the roads by me due to thier condition).

Does anyone have experience of the Turbo Grooved Discs, (at elise parts)..? They are a bit more expensive than standard disks, but may be worth the extra..? I am thinking about getting these with the Green Stuff pads, as they are reasoably priced. If I do, then I may sell the MMC Discs, and pads that are taken off here or on ebay, to try & recover the costs of the new brake discs & pads.

I reckon once the brakes are done the car should feel a whole lot better.

Next up will be an A service next year in spring after the winter.

Other upgrades, I will look at next year will be the Shocks, (has original red konis), upgrade to Bilstien & perhaps a stainless clutch hose, (has red hose at the moment).

So by next Spring/Summer the car should be ready for some good mileage, & track days...as long as the engine doesn't pack up...

Apologies for my rather long winded rant, I'll use this as my to do list for the car though, & hope to get good advice from you guys.

Thanks in advance, & as always any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete

hiscot · Post by **hiscot** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:10 am

Looks like the rear brakes have brembo or ferodo pads fitted, standard & not MMC. I can't see the front pads though, I wonder if the rear's are iron discs, & MMC front, like RichardHumble had. Either way brakes are no good at speed, (find I brake with the gears & thanks to Lotus, the car just pulls out corners at speed, though this can be scary on the roads by me due to thier condition).

like i thourght , there are possably quite a few mmc disc cars using std pads and not knowing
the right pads realy are very good but as richard said they do have a wet weather lag to be aware off and require caution in the wet
check your rear discs by colour and no rust (but they maybe pitted)
try to try a mmc pad car before you swop to iron discs the cost to swop or fit mmc pads are approx the same

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:13 am

If you want turbo grooves, talk to Stu160.

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:44 pm

Wouldn't touch Green Stuff IIWY. A much better pad for similar money is the Mintex M1144.

I've found that plain discs are just as effective as grooved and dimpled.

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:41 pm

Hey Guys,

How can you tell between MMC & Standard brakes, other than one rusts & the others don't..? Is there a sure way to tell..? I heard a magnet helps to identify..?

The Elise I have is a '97 model, so was fitted originally with MMC, & the dealer I bought from said MMC, but I would like to check, just to be sure before ordering the pads.

Cheers,
Pete

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:52 pm

Magnet sticks to iron discs but not to ali discs.

Any of the old hand's will be able to tell by looking or by feel....

Take pics of all 4 corners.

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:37 pm

Yup,

Definatley MMC Discs, done the magnet test just now, & the magnet does not stick to the dics, plus no rust, and they have that aluminium look. I tried the magnet on my saloon discs too and they stuck to these as they are Iron, just to be sure the magnet worked.

The Discs look to be in ok condition not rough feeling or scored, (one very small score on back drivers side), so I have decided to go for the MMC pads, & will try these. Hopefully they will be ok

I don't imagine changing the pads will take too long..? I'll get the garage to do it though...

I will probably sell the pads that come off as they look brand new, (I reckon the bloke I bought the car from put the standard pads on to get the new 1 year MOT not realising they were MMC), and since I've only done 3 short runs they should be in good nick.

Cheers,
Pete

Post by **simon** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:23 pm

Pedro wrote:I don't imagine changing the pads will take too long..? I'll get the garage to do it though...

Changing pads is very easy, if you can change a wheel you can change the pads.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:27 pm

simon wrote:
Pedro wrote:I don't imagine changing the pads will take too long..? I'll get the garage to do it though...
Changing pads is very easy, if you can change a wheel you can change the pads.

+1 a good intro into DIY mechanics, its scary as it look complicated but its not really.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:36 pm

brake pads are a skoosh!
I'm sure someone nearby will help you as long as you supply plenty of tea and biscuits

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:30 pm

Totally Agree,

Brake pads are a doddle to fit...unless it is piss!ng down with rain, & you don't have the garage or equipment, then it can be a real pain in the neck. If this was Summer I would definately have a go, it's usually just removal of R clips, a couple of pins, anti-rattle bit, ease back caliper pistons using only the pad fixings, & not the caliper itself as leverage & remove pads. Insert new pads, pins, anti-rattle thing & R clips...jobs a good un...well for the front anyway...

...But...The single piston on the rear caliper needs to be depressed into the caliper to allow room for the new, thicker rear pads. The piston needs to be rotated and depressed into the caliper, using a special tool, T000T1242 (I have heard of other items being used here...namely needle nosed pliers inserted into the two holes...BUT you cannot pinch or damage the rubber grommet..I think the piston has to be turned clockwise as you push back a couple o times).

If I had a garage with enough room & a trolley jack I might do the pads myself, but unfortunately I don't, & want the brakes to be sweet...so I've booked the car into Falklands for Sat again, I just hope they have me back on the road so I can get thro to Knockhill for the afternoon meet

Cheers,
Pete

tut · Post by **tut** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:23 pm

Very few of us have the caliper tool, needle nosed pliers used properly, ie do not let them slip, work fine.

My young son now does them for me as well as changing disks over with no problem

tut