F-3 brakes
As my new F-3 is only 3 days old, I can't yet add any related experience about Spyders; however, I can speak from similar horrific experiences re auto brakes - specifically on a Grand Cherokee Jeep - involving rotors, pads and particularly calipers.
Some years ago, on a 1-year old and still under warranty Jeep, it was necessary to replace brake pads and rotors while still at relatively low mileage. This happened twice in quick succession, just a couple of months apart. I was experiencing abnormal wear, especially since I wasn't abusing the machine and normally drove paved highways only, except for a 4 km (2.5 mi) stretch of gravel road leading to my cottage home. During springtime it could get muddy; in summers it could be dusty.
After the first unexpected need to change pads/rotors with low mileage, I expressed my disappointment to the dealer, and I paid the bill because these were 'wear and tear' items. To then have to do so again within weeks was outrageous - same 'wear and tear' response, but the dealer was a good fellow who shared my concerns and accepted some responsibility. Then came a complete surprise!!! My girlfriend picked up the Jeep immediately following this second round of new pads/rotors, and headed home. She hadn't gone 6 miles when she was suddenly pulled over by Police who told her the front end was on fire. It was. The front disc brakes had completely seized. Flames were shooting out from red hot wheels. The blaze was extinguished by Police and the Jeep was trucked back to the garage. Luckily most of the damage was contained, but a lot of equipment at the front end was replaced - by the manufacturer and the dealer. They finally accepted responsibility and agreed that it was not my driving but rather their workmanship that had been the cause. It could hardly be otherwise since the vehicle had gone only 6 miles after leaving the service bay. And that was in the middle of Toronto, miles away from my cottage road.
The interesting answer was this: when mechanics see that it's time to replace brake pads/rotors, or grind and re-surface, most simply do that part and put pieces back together. Calipers are barely given a nod. It is simply assumed that the calipers are working - as long as there are good pads and flat, clean rotors, the brakes should work just fine. So most believe. Well, turns out in my case it was failure of those calipers that was causing excessive brake wear and eventual failure. And it was failure of mechanical check procedures - failure to fully inspect functioning of calipers - that resulted in a catastrophic event, thankfully no worse than it was.
My dealership/manufacturer made things right in the end. Everything was replaced under warranty. And garage policy was immediately changed. Instructions went out to all mechanic staff that henceforth on EVERY brake pad/rotor job, CALIPERS were to be fully inspected as well - just part of a thorough review. It was agreed that my calipers had become stuck and likely failed to function properly because of possible mud and dust build-up from the gravel cottage road. I had never been 'off-road', and normally washed my vehicle every few weeks, including spray cleaning wheels, discs, etc., as best I could. Still the calipers were sticking, and several mechanics had failed to take note through successive servicing of the brakes. Brake servicing policy, up to that point, simply assumed that calipers by and large would function and only pads/rotors needed much attention. Following my incident, the garage decided that it was far better policy to offer a thorough check of ALL parts of the braking system, not just pads and rotors. Probably wise from a liability standpoint too.
So, maybe worthwhile checking caliper function too.
I throw that out there for what its worth. Now I'll go back to perusing the threads on this wonderful site, trying to educate myself as to what to expect as I get to know and enjoy my new F-3 Ltd. toy.
Cheers, all.
:thumbup: You can use them to measure an exhaust manifold to determine whether you have a bad plug (the bad one will be "cold").
