FRONT BRAKE PADS

1275 GT models are fitted with disc front brakes, and the brake pads are replaced as follows:- Replacement 1. With the front of the car jacked up and safely supported on stands, remove the road wheels. 2. Straighten the legs of the pad retaining pins, depress the pad anti-rattle springs and withdraw the two pins from the calliper . Remove the anti-rattle springs. 3. Withdraw the brake pads and anti-squeal shims from the calliper, using long-nosed pliers, if necessary. 4. Clean all dust, dirt, etc., from the calliper recess and inspect the piston dust covers for any signs of damage. Also examine the brake disc for any signs of damage or excessive wear. Wear on one side may indicate that one of the calliper pistons is seized, in which case, the calliper should be overhauled. 5. Rotate the brake disc by hand and remove all scale and rust from around the edge of the disc with a scraper. Also scrape any rust or deposits from the pad locating surfaces in the calliper. 6. Press each of the calliper pistons back into their cylinder using a tyre lever or other flat piece of metal. lever against the hub of the brake disc during this operation, not the outside edge of the disc. The fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will rise when the pistons are pressed back, and it may be necessary to syphon off excess fluid to prevent it overflowing. Alternatively, fluid can be drained off by opening the calliper bleed nipple while the piston is being pressed back. 7. Check that the cut-away portion on each piston is position upwards, then fit the new brake pads and shims in the calliper. Ensure that both the pads and shims are correctly positioned, and that the pads are free to move easily in the calliper recess. 8. Fit the pad anti-rattle springs, press them down and insert the new retaining pins from the outboard side of the calliper. Splay the legs of the pins to secure them in position. 9. Depress the brake pedal several time to bring the pads into their correct working clearance with the disc. 10. Finally, when the operation has been completed at both front brakes, lower the car back onto its wheels and check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir.