Xantia Exclusive Brake Fade

DJGarry · Unread post by **DJGarry** » 28 Mar 2004, 17:33

Hi Guys,
I've had an R-reg 3.0V6 Exclusive for around 18 months. When I first got it, it was a dream to drive. I while ago though I was having a bit of a blat along a dual carrigeway and left the braking really late. Probably went from 120mph down to 0mph in just a few hundred yards (not recomended). I had a little brake fade and the pedal seemed to have more travel after this and the brakes in general not as sharp as they were. This did improve a little after a while, but they have not been the same since. I have just noticed the brake wear light come up on the dash today so will be changing the front pads.
Is there anything I should be aware of changing these (never worked on this unique brake/suspension system before) and looking for to get the 'bite' back to the brakes I once had?

BonceChops · Unread post by **BonceChops** » 28 Mar 2004, 19:53

As the handbrake is on the front wheels you have to rotate the piston to retract it into the caliper. you cant just force them back in. A tool can be bought for this to make it easy - I will be buying one for the next change.
Neil

ActivaV6uk · Unread post by **ActivaV6uk** » 29 Mar 2004, 01:05

also you would be whise to repace the pads with something like EBD green stuff pads as it will help with them last longer under heavy breakine, with mine im also going with TAR-OX disks as all the people who have driven our activa and VSX have noted that the breaks fade very quickly.
Andy

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 29 Mar 2004, 01:27

Maybe worth while checking the discs for wear at the same time. If you can find a length of 3/8th square steel, it's ideal for screwing the pistons in. Also be aware of the lug on the back of the pads. The groove in the piston needs to be in such a position so that the lug sits in the groove.

David Goddard · Unread post by **David Goddard** » 31 Mar 2004, 03:10

The minimum disc thickness is cast into the disc. The old pads are very simple to remove - the caliper swings up. If the new pads don't come with a new retaining screw, apply a dash of Locktite to the old ones and reuse. Without the tool, winding the piston back is a slow job.

MrXantia · Unread post by **MrXantia** » 04 Apr 2004, 20:38

You dont have to buy special tools to wind calibers back. I just use a square screwdriver almost fitting into the 4 cuts in the caliber and a small crowbar. Then repeatively turning the caliber 1/4 turn and pressing the caliber with the crowbar mounted at the disc center it only takes 2 minutes to completely rewinding the caliber piston into the housing. This works on all Hydro Cits I have owned.