should i buy discs and pads? or....

[Dave_GTI16v]

hi all, i got some strange noises coming from the rear brakes, grinding, some kinda rubbing noise(only when about to drive away) and high pitch noises, do u think its worth getting pads and discs or just pads?, i think i could fit the pads myself.

dave

[mk1]

Deff worth a look, more than likely find the discs are not in a good shape. If you can fit the pads yourself, you are half way there. The discs are not that expensive.

[golfvr6]

Take the wheels off and have a look.
Pads are fairly straight foward to replace if you have the piston back winding tool.
Discs are more of a pain because the hub also houses the rear wheel bearings.

[Dizzie]

I had smoke coming off a rear disc the other day. it filled the car!
gonna be buying another set soon and getting a mate to drill them cos they look sweet.

[Gambit]

Dave, sounds more like your handbrake mechanisms on the rear calipers are stiff/partially seized.

they dont fully release when you take the handbrake off hence the rubbing noise, they gradually release over a period of about 5mins mins or so.

to fix:-

put the rear of the car on axle stands
remove the wheels
remove the handbrake cables
knock the handbrake spring rachet out about 1/2 inch
rub the rachet with wet n dry to remove the rust bits
drown it with WD40, then give it a good coating in grease or something similar
knock the rachet pin back in
reconnect cables (good time to fit new cables as these also stiffen up)
give the handbrake lever a good working up in down for about 5mins to free it all up

job done

if they are still stiff then get ford granada release springs, they are far stiffer and make the mechanism release even faster