Brake disc callipers

[mj1sjc]

Happy new year everyone.
Please see the attached picture on my 1.4 automatic Jazz 2006

1-So, i took a free brake check option at a Kwick fit as I was concerned about the status of the rear discs.
The guy at the kwick fit said I need to change brake pads, brake discs, callipers and bleed the system and put new brake oil with an estimate of £650.
He pointed me out the rear passenger disc where it  has rusted ( marked in red) and said that because of a faulty caliper thats why the disc is not touching or something and both sides callipers needs changing along with the pads, and discs.

2- One more thing i need mentioning- I weighs 125kg and occasionally when parked on a down hill or uphill and when I'm getting in or out of the car ( whilst parking brake and the hand brake is on) i can hear a little sqeezing noice. Is it normal or is it a sign of something? I don't have any squeezing noice whilst driving and applying the brakes though!

3- rear callipers are so expensive on UK sites and there are cheaper ones on Auto dr who are based in Germany. What things should I consider when buying callipers please, is it okay to buy cheaper brands from auto dr website?

What are your thoughts and advices to my 3 separate questions please?

Tia!

[Jocko]

Get a check at an independent small garage. Kwik Fit sell brakes and they want to sell you brakes.

[richardfrost]

Get a check at an independent small garage. Kwik Fit sell brakes and they want to sell you brakes.

Best advice ever. If you are not mechanically minded (like me) finding a trusted local independent (often called back street) garage is  you best bet. I am lucky as for my Jazz (just a bit older than yours) I have three locally that I trust.

Whereabouts in the UK are you? A member on here might live close and be able to recommend somewhere.

Also, when was your MOT? If it was that bad, surely they would have picked it up or noted an advisory at least.

[sparky Paul]

Do you have any concerns about the operation of the brakes, or is it just the state of the discs that is concerning you? It's not unusual to get areas on the edge of the pads where the discs rust, especially as the discs age. it is not a symptom of a failing caliper. and so long as the brakes are operating normally, not usually something to worry about until it is mentioned on the MOT. To be honest, they don't look that bad to me - I've seen a lot worse.

As there are no obvious signs of seizing, I doubt there is anything wrong with the calipers, but a set of discs and pads might be in order soon if they are getting scabby - parts cost £30-£40. Unless KwikFit have actually stripped the brakes, I can't see how they can diagnose whether the problem is a faulty caliper, sticky caliper slider pins, or just sticking pads.

Brake fluid should really be completely changed every 3 years or so, it's the best thing you can do to preserve the life of your calipers.

The creaking of the parking brake is very common, and not something to worry about if the brake is otherwise working normally.

Not sure what the prices are like on the Autodoc, but you can buy rear calipers for less than £45 each from UK sellers on ebay, if you do need them. I've fitted a number of these cheap pattern calipers over the years, two on the front of the Jazz, with no problems.


I absolutely agree with Jocko above, try to find a good independent garage - I know it's not easy at the moment, but try to ask around for recommendations. I would avoid the larger chains such as KwikFit, Halfords, etc., they are set up to part you from your money.

[Jocko]

I bought my Jazz from a dealer who had been a Honda mechanic. He told me to always firmly apply the foot brake and hold it as you apply the handbrake. Jazz handbrake is notorious for being a bit iffy.

[culzean]

The rear discs on my wifes MK2 were badly rusted across all the braking area ( after the car was less than 3 years old from new) I left them on for first MOT and it passed at Honda dealer,  I fitted new Honda  discs and pads and within a couple of years it was just as bad, fitted cheapo Eicher discs and Brembo pads from Eurocarparts and has been fine since.  Seems that the hydraulic pressure on rear brakes is insufficient to really keep discs clean,  the fact that there is an uninterrupted ring of clear metal on your disc is a good sign, do not fall for the frequent quikfix scams,  they have told my wife in the past she need new pads, when the pads were only 6 months old - they are notorious for it.

I have attached a PDF photo of the rear discs that passed Honda Dealer MOT,  the advisory said rusted but structurally sound.....

[mj1sjc]

Im in Watford Hertfordshire. Thanks!

Get a check at an independent small garage. Kwik Fit sell brakes and they want to sell you brakes.

Best advice ever. If you are not mechanically minded (like me) finding a trusted local independent (often called back street) garage is  you best bet. I am lucky as for my Jazz (just a bit older than yours) I have three locally that I trust.

Whereabouts in the UK are you? A member on here might live close and be able to recommend somewhere.

Also, when was your MOT? If it was that bad, surely they would have picked it up or noted an advisory at least.

[mj1sjc]

Sorry i forgot to mentioned the MOT has done 3 months ago. I only bought this 1 month ago from a dealer.

Get a check at an independent small garage. Kwik Fit sell brakes and they want to sell you brakes.

Best advice ever. If you are not mechanically minded (like me) finding a trusted local independent (often called back street) garage is  you best bet. I am lucky as for my Jazz (just a bit older than yours) I have three locally that I trust.

Whereabouts in the UK are you? A member on here might live close and be able to recommend somewhere.

Also, when was your MOT? If it was that bad, surely they would have picked it up or noted an advisory at least.

[mj1sjc]

You mean when you're parking?

I bought my Jazz from a dealer who had been a Honda mechanic. He told me to always firmly apply the foot brake and hold it as you apply the handbrake. Jazz handbrake is notorious for being a bit iffy.

[mj1sjc]

Thanks a lot woth your lengthy reply!

No  i dont seem to find any problem with the brakes, ingact it's working too well even with a tiny push. It's just the rusty look in one side of the rear disc i didn't like and that why i went to kwick fit for a free brake check.
Mot was done 3 months ago and i only bought this 1 month ago and nothing was mentioned on the MOT either.
I was also worried about this squeaking noice from rear when getting in and out of the car.

I'll just ignore this caliper thing what kwickfit said then. Thanks!

Do you have any concerns about the operation of the brakes, or is it just the state of the discs that is concerning you? It's not unusual to get areas on the edge of the pads where the discs rust, especially as the discs age. it is not a symptom of a failing caliper. and so long as the brakes are operating normally, not usually something to worry about until it is mentioned on the MOT. To be honest, they don't look that bad to me - I've seen a lot worse.

As there are no obvious signs of seizing, I doubt there is anything wrong with the calipers, but a set of discs and pads might be in order soon if they are getting scabby - parts cost £30-£40. Unless KwikFit have actually stripped the brakes, I can't see how they can diagnose whether the problem is a faulty caliper, sticky caliper slider pins, or just sticking pads.

Brake fluid should really be completely changed every 3 years or so, it's the best thing you can do to preserve the life of your calipers.

The creaking of the parking brake is very common, and not something to worry about if the brake is otherwise working normally.

Not sure what the prices are like on the Autodoc, but you can buy rear calipers for less than £45 each from UK sellers on ebay, if you do need them. I've fitted a number of these cheap pattern calipers over the years, two on the front of the Jazz, with no problems.


I absolutely agree with Jocko above, try to find a good independent garage - I know it's not easy at the moment, but try to ask around for recommendations. I would avoid the larger chains such as KwikFit, Halfords, etc., they are set up to part you from your money.

[Westy36]

Kwik Fit, like a lot of places can be variable. Over the years I have had positive and negative experiences at fast fit centres. They are not all bad by any means.

I replaced the rear discs and pads on our Jazz a couple of months ago, purchased from Car Parts4Less, and I used Pagid parts. They still look like new even after salty roads! Very impressed with the quality, and they cost just £44.

[sparky Paul]

It is a good idea to apply the foot brake when applying the handbrake, the Jazz hand brake is notoriously feeble as Jocko says. Good tip.

If the brakes passed the MOT roller brake tester a month ago, they should be absolutely fine. The MOT tester will soon tell you if they are approaching a point where they may need attention.

[culzean]

Kwik Fit, like a lot of places can be variable. Over the years I have had positive and negative experiences at fast fit centres. They are not all bad by any means.

I replaced the rear discs and pads on our Jazz a couple of months ago, purchased from Car Parts4Less, and I used Pagid parts. They still look like new even after salty roads! Very impressed with the quality, and they cost just £44.

I guess it depends on how busy they are and if they are told to look for ( create ) work or not that day.

[RayS]

They had a specail MOT promotion a number of years ago which I fell for.
Needless to say my car failed. Nearly two weeks later & £450 poorer, I got my car back.
Never set foot in one of their branches since.

Your car has nine months MOT, unless the disk is badly corroded (which it doesn't appear to be) I wouldn't worry about a bit of surface rust on the disk. The pads will polish away any rust on the braking area of a disc. As SparkyPaul has suggested, If the brake fliud has not been changed in last few years, it wolud be a good idea to do this, (at a reputable garage), it transformed the brakes on my GD when I owned it. 

[mj1sjc]

Many thanks for this!

I cant seems to find  the brake oil had been changed fromvthe last 3yr history what came with the car.
So, i will just change the brake oil then. Do you rekon 1l brake oil is enough to do a full change and also doea it matter what brand it is or as long as they are dot4 thats what matters?

They had a specail MOT promotion a number of years ago which I fell for.
Needless to say my car failed. Nearly two weeks later & £450 poorer, I got my car back.
Never set foot in one of their branches since.

Your car has nine months MOT, unless the disk is badly corroded (which it doesn't appear to be) I wouldn't worry about a bit of surface rust on the disk. The pads will polish away any rust on the braking area of a disc. As SparkyPaul has suggested, If the brake fliud has not been changed in last few years, it wolud be a good idea to do this, (at a reputable garage), it transformed the brakes on my GD when I owned it.