Xsara HDi rear brakes (discs)

Unread post by **RichardW** » 29 Nov 2004, 13:23

My Dad's just had to have new pads and discs (one disc damaged by a worn out pad) on his Xsara - which has only done 27k, and is still on its original tyres and FRONT brakes! Stealer says "Not warranty, wear and tear". Yeah, right.... Anybody know if there are any issues with the rear brakes on these that might cause premature wear of the pads? I remeber that the new pads are very thin, Dad said that 3 looked pretty well unworn, but one was right down to the metal, hence the trashed disc.
He's still holding the upper hand though, as they gave him the car back, and he hasn't paid the bill[}:)]
I'm waiting for a belly laugh when I find out how much a stealer charges to supply and fit rear pads and discs for a Xsara....[:D]

David W · Unread post by **David W** » 29 Nov 2004, 14:53

Very interesting Richard...I'm just being asked to look at an identical situation with a Xsara that's covered 24K!!
David

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 29 Nov 2004, 15:03

If it's the left rear disc, its common for that one to rust and wear quickly. The left hand wheel tends to go through puddles more than the right, so that disc in particular gets wet a lot and rusts. The rear discs don't do enough of the braking on a car typically, so they don't get hot enough to keep themselves dry.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 29 Nov 2004, 15:55

I don't know whether it was near or off side disc that was trashed, but I would have expected both sides to be shot if it was a rust issue. The car is used every day, so I doubt it gets left long enough for rust build up to be serious problem - and it has steel wheels not open alloys. Interested to know the outcome of your investigation, David.
I guess it may simply be light use leading to rust or similar, but if there is a fault with the system I would expect it to re-appear after another few 000 miles - no indication of excess wear was given at the 24k service in the summer.

simonelsey · Unread post by **simonelsey** » 29 Nov 2004, 17:12

I have a Citroen xsara hdi estate w reg 2000 . I have had 4 new discs all round , and pads , with in 24000 miles had to have all new pads again , then again after 22000 miles . I seem to have a problem with drivers side front caliper sticking (piston stuck)(seems pad is always slightly rubbing) The car doesnt slide/pull when driving or braking . When checking pads every thing is ok apart from 1 pad on drivers front is worn to just above metal . I have never known a car to eat pads disks, seems to be a embalancing on the brakes Mind you passes mot every year . Think it is a design problem on the whole braking system. PS It has lucas front calipers on it . Can have 3 differents types of caliper.

drpau · Unread post by **drpau** » 29 Nov 2004, 21:35

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by simonelsey</i>

I have a Citroen xsara hdi estate w reg 2000 . I have had 4 new discs all round , and pads , with in 24000 miles had to have all new pads again , then again after 22000 miles . I seem to have a problem with drivers side front caliper sticking (piston stuck)(seems pad is always slightly rubbing) The car doesnt slide/pull when driving or braking . When checking pads every thing is ok apart from 1 pad on drivers front is worn to just above metal . I have never known a car to eat pads disks, seems to be a embalancing on the brakes Mind you passes mot every year . Think it is a design problem on the whole braking system. PS It has lucas front calipers on it . Can have 3 differents types of caliper.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
my caliper seems to stick slightly as well (drivers side), can hear it at motorway speeds- only seems to be when its warmed up though I think. I had the same prob on my rover 200 diesel- to the extent where I could smell burning got out of the car on the motorway to see smoke bellowing from the wheel! Crapped myself....[:0] It was OK after that though..

CBR600FV · Unread post by **CBR600FV** » 29 Nov 2004, 22:24

Xsara HDI Estate, 2000x 68k. Pads and disks changed all round at 60k. Rear disks were slightly worn (grooved at the edges, didn't think they'd last another 60k) Changed the fronts at the same time. £130 for pads & disks (genuine Lucas) Rear pads were more worn than the fronts. Should add that I'm normally good on brakes but was still quite impressed with the life. Negligible wear difference between left/right or inside/outside pads. I've never really noticed substantial wear differences on any car between left and right sides. Have to ask the question as to why 3 pads show virtually negligible wear and remaining one is down to the metal........!!!! Quite common to see slightly more wear on the pad nearest the caliper cylinder, but then on some calipers it is the opposite one that wears quickest due to dragging. Be interesting to see the Stealer get any money out of your Dad. Assume car is still under warranty.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 30 Nov 2004, 17:02

It's still under warranty (it's August 02). It was the inside pad on the O/S that was worn out, so can rule out the N/S puddle theory. The other pads were pretty thin, but I am sure these pads are very thin to start with - but they were apparently evenly thin. Got to be something amiss with it.