One of the many discussion points at MoT time has been the state of the rear discs and the marginal pass on the brake tester. Typically the rear discs and pads have lasted about 3 or 4 years on the C8 before needing replacement; they don't get much use unless the car is towing or fully laden and there's enough weight on the rear wheels to open the brake valve which polishes the discs.
This year I thought I'd try and get the discs skimmed and I found out how much the procedure has changed. I had visions of me casually undoing the rear calipers, braying the discs off with a suitably sized hammer (as I've done a few times before) and taking the discs to a local engineers (not done for years and years). There a chap in overalls would take a thou off each side, making the discs look like new, I'd hand over a few modest notes and be on my way. Nowadays, I'm informed, nobody does that any more. There's a franchise operation where you leave the whole car at a garage, they remove the calipers and pads and fit a machine that skims the discs while they are attached to the car. Whatever next?
The money involved for this project makes no sense. I was quoted nearly £100 for caliper removal and disc skimming in situ with a week to wait for an appointment, and find my own pads, but my trusty Ebay seller has delivered me a set of discs and pads for a few coppers less than £40. With costs like that, how does the in-situ disc grinding system ever get any customers? Have any of you had your discs skimmed recently? On the car or off? How much?
Last edited by: smokie on Mon 22 Apr 19 at 00:26
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