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Rusty Brake Disc Advice

Discussion in '348/355' started by Foxy348, Jul 2, 2008.

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  1. Foxy348

    Foxy348 Karting

    Jun 21, 2008
    94
    UK
    Full Name:
    Noel Ebdon
    #1 Foxy348, Jul 2, 2008
    Just bought a 348 that has been standing for two years (not sure what I have let myself in for!). The discs are new, but are now rusty on the surface. Any ideas on getting the rust off, or will I have to skim them (can they be skimmed safely?). If yes, any idea what the minimum thickness is?

    Any advice on what I should do to the pads would be a help as well.
     
  2. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,151
    Bay Area Calif.
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    Dave
    #2 ferraridriver, Jul 2, 2008
    I'd try gently driving it letting the pads clean up the rotors then replace the pads first, if that didn't work, then skim about .010 off each side.
     
  3. Tom_C

    Tom_C Karting

    Feb 20, 2008
    233
    Raleigh area, NC
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    #3 Tom_C, Jul 2, 2008
    unless the rust is REALLLY thick, you ought to have no problems cleaning the rotors off with the pads. Then pull the pads and clean them up really good (I sand down just a bit, which is very unsafe from a health perspective, but I've only done it two or three times on old Porsches that have sat for years) The important thing afterwards is to make sure the calipers and seals are in good shape, as they have the potential to rust on the outside as well, which can mean a sticking caliper later on, when you are 50 miles from home, and smoke starts coming from the hub, and your rotor is red..... Don't ask me how I know.... :)
     
  4. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
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    L.C.
    #4 355dreamer, Jul 2, 2008
    WD-40 ;)
     
  5. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
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    Mike Seals
    #5 mseals, Jul 2, 2008
    WD-40 ????? on Brakes????

    ?????

    Mike in Kuwait
     
  6. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jon
    #6 Bullfighter, Jul 2, 2008
  7. xpensivewino

    xpensivewino Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2008
    954
    Simi Valley CA
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    Need to know basis
    #7 xpensivewino, Jul 2, 2008
    Emory cloth works fine for this..Just scuff the rotors in a circular pattern, just as you would do with a set that has glazing. Then drive the car as normal. Treat the brakes as though they are new, and do some long gradual stops to bed the pads and heat treat the rotors. After a few miles on the car 20-40, they ought to be ready to go. Always check the rotor thickness on a car you have just bought to make sure that they are within factory specs....best of luck
     
  8. mwhitesell

    mwhitesell Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,083
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #8 mwhitesell, Jul 2, 2008
    How rusty can they be from sitting in the dry air out there? I would just drive it a few times and let the issue sort itself out.
     
  9. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
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    chris
    #9 cf355, Jul 2, 2008
    If you can take your discs off and take them to the local garage you can have them machined for $35.00 per pair.

    The minimun disc thickness is cast into the disc and the technician can take off the mininum necessary to give you a 1st class finish with out unduly compromising the disc's thickness.

    Check your pads as well......try and clean them with emery paper and water (sand them on a flat surface)......but if you can't get them perfect then replace them.

    There is no excuse for second class brakes on a car of this calibre.
     
  10. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
    CT
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    Jay
    #10 UConn Husky, Jul 2, 2008
    Mine got some rust from condensation sitting over the winter, I had them turned down for $20 each.
     
  11. FandLcars

    FandLcars F1 Rookie

    Aug 6, 2006
    3,057
    Tempe, Az
    Full Name:
    Rick Schumm
    #11 FandLcars, Jul 2, 2008
    If driving didn't take care of it, this is exactly what I would do... very fine emory cloth in a circular pattern.
     
  12. Foxy348

    Foxy348 Karting

    Jun 21, 2008
    94
    UK
    Full Name:
    Noel Ebdon
    #12 Foxy348, Jul 3, 2008
    Cool. Thanks for the advice. Just driving seems to be the way to go by the looks of these responses. The pads are fine, so I don't want to ruin them. Will probably try a bit of emery paper and some light elbow grease, then pull the pads out for a clean after the first run. I'll also check the pistons are moving in and out while I have it up on jack stands.

    By the way, fyi, we have major humidity out here in summer , hence the rust. It can be up to 95% on a bad day, which is about now. They actually changed the weather by planting trees and grass everywhere!
     

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