C5 estate brake discs.

[billyg55]

Hi everyone. I posted a while ago regarding my radio/sat nav issues. I have resolved that by having an after market radio fitted. Thanks for all the advice given. Niw i wish to replace all four discs and pads. I can get them off the internet, but i am being asked to check the disc size. They could be either 283mm or 288mm size. I cannot see anything in the disc. Could someone please tell me were i can find the info i need ? Also is it a straight forward job or do i need special tools ? It us a c5 estate. 07 plate 2.6 hdi. Thanjs in advance. Billy

[chinkostu]

If you post the reg or VIN we can check servicebox

[billyg55]

Av07 gfk. Thanks

[billyg55]

Av07 gfk. Thanks

[chinkostu]

That comes back as a picasso??

[billyg55]

Av07 fgk. Sorry

[chinkostu]

No worries man! They're 283mm

[RichardW]

Also is it a straight forward job or do i need special tools ?

Welllll.....

Fronts not too bad - you need a T55 to get the caliper bolts out, and one of the calipers may be LH re-wind (it was on MK1, not 100% sure on MK2), so a wind back tool will be a help.

Rears. Ha ha!!! You need to remove the caliper bolts which is where the fun starts, as they are loctited in to the calipers, and can be nigh on impossible to remove - one member had to get a local garage to cut them off.

[Hell Razor5543]

I looked at the price Citroen charge for doing the brakes of a C5 Mk1. £200 for the front, £220 for the rear (which should tell you something!).

[dnsey]

I don't know why the fronts should be so much. Yes, the Torx screws can be a bit of a pain, but they can be drilled out if necessary (and aren't really essential anyway). Easy otherwise.
Yes, the rears are another matter, but the calipers probably need seeing to anyway.
I understand that most dealers just cut the calipers off, so they'd no doubt charge the above price plus new calipers.

[chinkostu]

Its worth adding you don't need the t20/25 on the discs, but you do need the t55 on the caliper!! If you use plenty of plusgas, a decent socket and a long enough bar they come loose easily. I had my car up high enough to use a breaker bar on them.

[billyg55]

Thanks for the info. The rear calipers are goosed. Osr not working. Nsr working a little. I might look at replacements for the rear !! One more question if i may, is the handbrake connected to the front wheels ? Although there is plenty of meat on the front pads the handbrake is almost useless. Thanks again.

[Paul-R]

The Mk 1 and facelift (sometimes called Mk2) C5 has the handbrake on the front wheels. The X7 (sometimes called Mk2, sometimes called Mk3) introduced in 2008 restored the handbrake to the rear.

[lexi]

The calipers on ebay are good. They are bought outright and they give you a freepost bag for £15 refund if you send old ones back. Two companies do them.

[chinkostu]

Chances are the mechanisms siezed, the cable operates an arm on the caliper that moves the pads. A spring returns the arms when the handbrake is off, they usually stick on. Best bet is to stick the handbrake on and see if the cables actually move the arms, as it could just need tightening.