Brakes, Brakes, and more Brakes

[Fish Eagle]

After having said that my brake fluid's still OK in my previous post in December (above), and after another 3 track days since then, I've decided that it's time for a change because it's started feeling quite spongy.

Previously I've used Endless RF650, but I found some Motul RBF660 in Nelspruit at less than half the price of Endless and the specs look very similar, so I'm going to give it a try.

Claimed boiling point 325°C dry, 205°C wet vs Endless RF650 which claims 323°C dry, and 218°C wet.

Anyone got experience with this product?

[Vic_RSA]

Heard good things about the Motul product especially with regards to performance vs. price compared to Endless. Formula Friction in Edenvale recommend a Ferodo alternative.

[sav]

Yep, we always use Motul in the bikes. RBF600 I think, I'm assuming 660 would be even better. The best part is that you can buy it from pretty much any bike shop.

[Fish Eagle]

Originally Posted by sav

Yep, we always use Motul in the bikes. RBF600 I think, I'm assuming 660 would be even better. The best part is that you can buy it from pretty much any bike shop.

That's where I got it.

[sav]

Cool!

[Fish Eagle]

I felt that my brakes were on their last legs on Sunday, so I did a front brake pads change yesterday.
They only just lasted the day and smeared a bit at the end.
Not a surprise because those pads have done 5 or 6 hard track days already...

I thought it would be a good time to re-iterate the most important thing that I've learned about brakes, which is -
DON'T GO ONTO A RACETRACK WITH STOCK BRAKES
It's probably the most important safety upgrade you can do, and it's not expensive.
Feel free to contact me if you need more info.

See the pic of my caliper and disc to get an idea of the temperatures generated on track.

Here's an excellent article about brakes for track day use - http://www.powerbrake.co.za/tech_inf..._trackdays.htm

[sav]

YIKES!

BTW.
I don't have the link anymore but apparently it's possible to upgrade the Std spec's 277mm rotors to the High spec's 295mm by simple getting the High spec brackets. That should be a fairly substantial upgrade with a much bigger surface area.

So Powerbrake 295mm slotted rotors with Endless pads, fluid and High spec brackets then you're sorted.

[Fish Eagle]

Thanks. Maybe I'll consider that when I need to replace my discs.

I'm actually very happy with my brakes as is, and I'm getting gentler on them as my experience grows. A typical noob trait is to overbrake into corners, and as driving skills improve one carries more and more speed into the corner.

Using a set of front pads every 5-6 track days, and rear pads every 8-9 track days seems normal to me. My discs don't have any bad cracks but they're getting quite worn and will need skimming or replacing in the not too distant future.

[sav]

Cool, I agree - do it when you replace disks. I doubt the disks would be much more expensive. Not sure what those brackets cost.

[tm86]

Thanks Fish Eagle, you are a valuable resource of all things 86

How long do you take to replace the front pads?

[sav]

That sounds like a challenge! I reckon 20-30mins from start to finish.

[Fish Eagle]

Originally Posted by tm86

Thanks Fish Eagle, you are a valuable resource of all things 86

How long do you take to replace the front pads?

Yep, 30mins is more than enough to change front pads.

[sav]

Yep, and they've made it so easy - one bolt and that's it.

[Fish Eagle]

Originally Posted by sav

Yep, and they've made it so easy - one bolt and that's it.

Most of the work is jacking the car up, taking the wheel off, and putting the wheel back on.
Changing the actual pads is a cinch.

But you do need some strength to push the pistons back when fitting new pads (or a big tool)