T5 Soft discs

[brad]

Yeah, that's why a good mechanic will take the history of the car, driver's age, driving habits and environment onto the consideration and from that he will be able to tell how many km's is remaining on the brake pads.
In BraienJ's case the mechanic didn't check the brakes properly.

Sometimes it works - sometimes not. According to my swmbo, I'm a hard driver & she isn't - but she goes through brakes twice as quick as I do. If you tell her she's hard on brakes she will outright deny it.

I followed a guy for the length of the M5 the other day - he was doing 120kmh with his foot on the brake for the whole 25km I was behind him. I bet he says he isn't hard on the brakes either.

[gslrallysport]

Use the Bendix DB1404 GCT in the future

How did you get DB1404 for a T5? Unless I've got the wrong pads for the T5, they're very different to a DB1404, similar shape, but the lugs are different, and I've got the T5 pads listed as a 1 wire sensor, whereas DB1404 is a 2 wire?

[Transporter]

How did you get DB1404 for a T5? Unless I've got the wrong pads for the T5, they're very different to a DB1404, similar shape, but the lugs are different, and I've got the T5 pads listed as a 1 wire sensor, whereas DB1404 is a 2 wire?

On my 128kW T5 I have 2 wire sensors. I'll be in touch with you for the front pads, I don't want to get Bendix GCT, what I'd like to get is the brake pads that will not cover my rims with black dust. I'll post you exact shape of the pad.

[GUV]

How did you get DB1404 for a T5? Unless I've got the wrong pads for the T5, they're very different to a DB1404, similar shape, but the lugs are different, and I've got the T5 pads listed as a 1 wire sensor, whereas DB1404 is a 2 wire?

Hi Greg, The Bendix have a different sensor connector but apart from that they couldn't be too much different as they have been on my van for the last 20,000 km's with no problems, they have also been fitted to two other vans before mine that I know with no problems either.
I cleaned all the black crap off my front calipers when the Bendix pads were fitted & they are still as clean as they were that day.
I didn't re-connect the sensor as I couldn't see how it could be any more accurate of an indication than removing the wheels and checking during routine servicing of the vehicle, and as others have found they have been able to get many more km's out of their pads after the low pad warning has alerted them.
I am interested in your rear pads for the T5 if they don't leave rotor dust all over the wheels, will I need to replace the rear rotors as well as the pads to stop this happening?

Grant.

[Transporter]

Hi Greg, The Bendix have a different sensor connector but apart from that they couldn't be too much different as they have been on my van for the last 20,000 km's with no problems, they have also been fitted to two other vans before mine that I know with no problems either.
I cleaned all the black crap off my front calipers when the Bendix pads were fitted & they are still as clean as they were that day.
I didn't re-connect the sensor as I couldn't see how it could be any more accurate of an indication than removing the wheels and checking during routine servicing of the vehicle, and as others have found they have been able to get many more km's out of their pads after the low pad warning has alerted them.
I am interested in your rear pads for the T5 if they don't leave rotor dust all over the wheels, will I need to replace the rear rotors as well as the pads to stop this happening?

Grant.

Hi Grant,
How much load do you carry in your van and do you drive in heavy traffic or mainly highways? I might give the Bendix pads go. After 20,000km how many mm do you have remaining on your pads?

[gslrallysport]

Hi Greg, The Bendix have a different sensor connector but apart from that they couldn't be too much different as they have been on my van for the last 20,000 km's with no problems, they have also been fitted to two other vans before mine that I know with no problems either.

Looking at them I can see they'd physically fit, but from what I can see the lugs look slightly different... may not be a issue, but that's often something that can lead to noise.

With alot of this stuff you'll have to bear with us. We very rarely use Bendix's catalog to look up Euro stuff, we'll either use ATAP's (TRW Lucas importer) online catalog, or our hard copy Remsa catalog, which is straight from Europe and easily the most comprehensive catalog I've ever seen at 1088 pages! So often we get a heap of crap that isn't even available in Australia, and often two pads which Remsa list as different, someone like Bendix with their DB numbers will only list one, and do stuff like only manufacturer the smaller of the two thicknesses etc, or make a shape that fits both.

Having the greatest catalog in the world can be extremely helpful, especially with Euro and Import stuff, but can also work against you in a small market like Australia...

[GUV]

Transporter, I only do about 20,000 K's a year of which 12,000 would be city driving, I am a fairly heavy on the brake's (drive the van like its a car) I’ll check the wear over the weekend & come back to you.

Greg, you are correct with the comment about the noise, there is a slight noise as the van recovers after a heavy braking moment but nothing during normal driving, I have another set of new Bendix pads in the shed & will most definitely be using them when these are worn out, but I still haven’t found a dust free set for the back so if you do come up with some please let us know.

Grant.

[gslrallysport]

Grant,

QFM HPX is dust free, but I'll have to check whether they do them. If not, we can get them custom made by QFM but it's a few bucks extra. I'll have to have a look after the 8th, as we leave soon for the WRC...

Cheers,
Greg

[Transporter]

Transporter, I only do about 20,000 K's a year of which 12,000 would be city driving, I am a fairly heavy on the brake's (drive the van like its a car) I’ll check the wear over the weekend & come back to you.

Greg, you are correct with the comment about the noise, there is a slight noise as the van recovers after a heavy braking moment but nothing during normal driving, I have another set of new Bendix pads in the shed & will most definitely be using them when these are worn out, but I still haven’t found a dust free set for the back so if you do come up with some please let us know.

Grant.

Grant, how did you go with checking that wear on the front brake pads?

I bought the set of Bendix DB1404 GCT, just out of curiosity and that sensor wire can be used, just re-use the connector from old pad (cut off and solder on, insulate well), the wire is long enough to be connected at the same spot as originally.
Pads fit in “ok”, and yes the lugs as mentioned are a bit different shape, but the active braking surface area is the same.

After 70,000km my front rotors are down to 26mm and are close to min thickness of 25.5mm, so I’m getting the slotted discs for the front.

[GUV]

Sorry I didn't report back sooner.

They have only worn I'd say a 1/3, so I should get 50,000 km out of them.

How did you go with the QFM pads Greg?

Grant.

[gslrallysport]

Grant,

Sorry mate, working off DB1404, can supply in a QFM HPX (Basically a Bendix Ultimate equivalent, but very low dust and rotor wear. Also the pad that QFM put in their '4WD' box).

Won't have the wear sensor, but the more I talk to people the less of an issue that seems to be, so either close the loop up, tell the computer to not worry about it, or use the old one.

DB1404 HPX is $79, and in stock.

For those who want a more OEM replacement (ie. dust and a wear sensor), Remsa pads to suit DB1404 are $109.

[Transporter]

Brake pads for T5 Bendix DB1404 GCT

Difference between OEM and Bendix DB1404:
Back plate has no anti-squeal shims and end lugs have smaller contact area with brake caliper holder on Bendix pads.

[gslrallysport]

Ok yep, Bendix doesn't have a equivalent to that, but as you've found, any DB1404/DB1351/DB1510 etc will fit. We carry DB1510 in both HPX and A1RM to cover all those numbers.

In a Remsa, which will be an exact copy of OEM with regards to shape and sensor:

http://www.remsa.com/catalogo/verimagen.php?ref=1045.01

[Transporter]

Installed slotted front discs with Bendix DB1404. The brakes feel more bitie, much better now and I hope for cleaner wheels.
Disc P/N is RDA7049S

[Ivo]

Man van is in getting a service today and they rang to say rotors are below minimum thickness. I also need new pads.