Brake fluid requiring replacement?

[piggoy]

Hey guys,

I took my 172 to the stealers a few days ago to get the bonnet catch defect fixed free of charge. They also offered me a complimentary 'health check' of my car. In their report they noted that the brake fluid was in need of replacement. I'm confused :S. Why would the brake fluid require replacement?

They also noted that the front discs were in need of replacement due to corrosion. The discs always have rust spots on them when the car is parked up for a few days, but certainly none when I drove the car down to them - even tho it's a short journey I most certainly used the brakes and that would clear the rust!!!!!! Is this the type of corrosion they are talking about or something more serious? When do the discs generally require replacement?

Cheers in advance :approve:

 

[.Ben.]

[FONT=verdana, geneva, helvetica]The fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture over time - FWIW: moisture lowers the boiling point of brake fluid...

As a general rule-of-thumb you should replace it every 2 years.
[/FONT]

 

[Fred@BTM]

should change it every2 years really

inside of the discs can corrode really badly

 

[Budgie]

They could well be telling the truth, but for christ's sake, do the work yourself.

Anyone with working hands can change brakes.

 

[piggoy]

They could well be telling the truth, but for christ's sake, do the work yourself.

Anyone with working hands can change brakes.

I intend to cheers

What are people's recommendations for a.) brake fluid, b.) front pads and discs? I'm not a racer or a track day person, just maybe the occasional B-road blast to let off steam (legally of course :rasp. I was looking at KTR uprated kits, any good?

 

[Budgie]

Brembo HC discs and DS2500's are the way to go. 5.1 fluid. You'll notice the difference.

 

[piggoy]

Brembo HC discs and DS2500's are the way to go. 5.1 fluid. You'll notice the difference.

This seems to be what most people talk about. Are the KTR uprated kits any good?

http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=1148

 

[.Ben.]

Speak to Pete @ Auto-Nation.

 

[Henry]

have you had a good look at the discs and pads yet? might not need doing. it's usually the rears that suffer, as they're underused compared with the fronts. track pads are expensive and you'll rarely see their benefit in a road car (unless you habitually drive around like your hair's on fire. proviso.) - much better off replacing discs/pads for OEM or branded pattern parts from GSF/ECP/suppliers on here/etc

defo change the fluid if it's not been done for a while

 

[.Ben.]

^ To be fair, I recall that standard 182 pads are made by Ferodo and are and upgrade from stock 172 items. Not sure on the validity of the claim though...

Personally, I've gone for Brembo HC discs and Mintex 1144 pads - I've had uprated discs and pads on other cars and have been pleasantly surprised by the - relatively inexpensive - results!

 

[piggoy]

have you had a good look at the discs and pads yet? might not need doing. it's usually the rears that suffer, as they're underused compared with the fronts. track pads are expensive and you'll rarely see their benefit in a road car (unless you habitually drive around like your hair's on fire. proviso.) - much better off replacing discs/pads for OEM or branded pattern parts from GSF/ECP/suppliers on here/etc

defo change the fluid if it's not been done for a while

Thanks for the advice Henry.

I haven't had a look at the discs and pads yet cos I can't get the sodding wheels off lol. I guess I need an air gun. The bolts are far too tight for the boot tool kit

Just my concern regarding the Brembo HC discs. I stated in my previous post that i'm not a racer, just an occasional b-road blaster, so my concern was that I would be unnecessarily spending money on brakes I don't need. The OEM brakes I currently have are easily good enough for me I think. I would only consider an upgrade if I could ensure a better life expectancy or less corrosion etc.

 

[TimR26]

I think the Brembo HC discs might be cheaper. Brembo HCs, oem pads and decent fluid are all you need.

 

[Nick172Cup]

I've got brembo HC disks with standard pads on my Cup as thats easily good enough, i'd put in Dot 4 personally as it has a longer life span to Dot 5.1 if your not tracking/racing all the time. Stainless steel braided lines are a well worth purchase also.