New front pads for the DHC

As mentioned in some earlier posts the front brakes needed sorting sooner rather than later. When in regular use on (shorter) trips here in the area they behaved as they should, giving enough stopping power. But when they were cold they lacked bite and needed a second or so before they really started to work. I fitted these pads (APEC brand) a few days before the 2011 edition of the 10CR.

During this run they performed as they should, giving good stopping power. But fast forward two years, and during the 2013 edition of the 10CR it felt like the brake pedal would lock up. Applying the pedal would give no reaction from the brakes. Pushing harder on the pedal always solved the problem. And as the problem didn't reappear when I drove the car after the last 10CR, I forgot about it. But the problem reared its head again during the Taith o Amgylch Cymru. Comparing it with how the brakes behaved in Wales and during the last 10CR I could only conclude that there was something wrong with the pads. Time to get the spanners out. And with the pads removed it was clear that there was nothing wrong with the callipers. All pistons moved freely and all pads were fairly evenly worn. But the pads surfaces didn't look as they should. The surfaces looked glazed, cracked and pitted, so removing the glazing was no option ...

They clearly are not suited to my driving. And comparing them with a picture of the rather burned Mintex M1144 pads they replaced, they definitely don't look good ...

Time to get back to decent pads. Wanted either Mintex M1144 or Ferodo DS2500 pads. But in the end I opted for some very old school Mintex M171 pads. Actually they are de predecessor of the M1144 compound pads. Found them at a local brake specialist, and I couldn't resist them ...

And as you can see (when you have read some earlier posts here that is) I was a bit undecided how to fit the spring clips. Have tried them both ways round and can't see any difference in how they work so I have gone back to their original position when I bought these callipers many years ago. Hopefully I will have time to take the car out for a little test drive in the next few days or so, to see how these pads behave and to get some miles on them in preparation for the cars MOT.