Disco TD5 front brake pads

[white90]

Method shown here is the replacement of the front brake pads on a TD5 Discovery.

Slacken the road wheel nuts with a 27mm socket then jack up and support the corner you are going to start on. Remove the wheel and turn the steering so that the caliper is as far out as the steering will allow - remove the ignition key and the steering lock will hold it in this position.

The brakes on this vehicle are twin pot sliding calipers, so the main body of the caliper has to be slid back on the two pins. Use a screwdriver, pry bar or similar tool to lever the body back until the pistons are fully back in their housings.

The two retaining bolts that go into the sliding pins are 12mm, so a socket or spanner to remove them.

The caliper will now lift away and can be rested on the steering rod.

The old pads can be removed from the caliper bracket - they should just lift out, but if there's corrosion of the bracket, they may have to be levered out.

Clean any rust/dirt off the 4 areas where the 'ears' of the pad fit. It's quite common for there to be a discrepency in the size of replacement pads.

The two slide pins should be removed and inspected, they can be just pulled out until the gaiter pops off. Clean the old grease off, inspect the pins for scoring, steps, or other damage, and replace them if necessary.

Some manufacturers supply new bolts, but not in this case. Clean the threads and when you re-fit them, put some thread-locking compound on.

New pads 'Green Stuff' from EBC. They have a special coating on the pad face to assist in bedding in.

Make sure you fit the pads in the right way round - some pads can be fitted accidentally with the metal backing against the disc.

Put the caliper body back on - making sure that the end of the sliding pin sits correctly.

The anti-rattle springs prevent the top hole from lining up, so you will have to push it in with one hand while fitting the bolt.

Once both bolts are in, tighten them.

One further thing - as you push the calipers back, the fluid will fill the reservoir. Keep an eye on it and remove any fluid as required. Brake fluid is a good paint stripper, so be careful.

Les.