Hey All!

Recently took delivery of Series II 380 Platinum LPG and last year a MY10 Holden Berlina LPG.

Our previous cars (TF Exec and NJ Pajero) did not have ABS.

Never having changed brake pads on a vehicle with ABS I am interested to know if I can change the pads using the same methods I use to change on non-ABS vehicles.

Is there a preferred method?

Just concerned about damaging the ABS module if I force fluid back up to the reservoir...

Not interested in using a mechanic....

Same method, ABS bits are nowhere near the calliper. I usually loosen the brake bleeder screw a bit so the dirty fluid squirts out when the pistons are pushed back in. I don't want that to flow back through the lines. Do a bleed once the new pads are in.

You can download the 380 service manual somewhere here - can't find it myself at moment but will email that chapter to you

On the 380 front pads the inside one on the passenger side wheel has a small tang for the ABS.

Just make sure you stick this pad in that spot - it's the only one with the tang.

I've changed my pads twice now and those of another member's 380, and no special tricks involved and no problems with the ABS.

But as Max says, it pays to bleed the brake fluid a bit (at all four wheels) & top up with new fluid, or if you've done 50,000k plus since your last full brake fluid replacement you should renew the fluid.

Plenty of threads around about replacing the brake fluid.

On the 380 front pads the inside one on the passenger side wheel has a small tang for the ABS.

Is the tang part of the ABS? On my second gen V6 wagon with ABS, there are tangs on the inner rear pads, but I thought they were for warning you when the pads are worn down - the pad touches the rotor and sets up a noticeable grinding noise.

Is the tang part of the ABS? On my second gen V6 wagon with ABS, there are tangs on the inner rear pads, but I thought they were for warning you when the pads are worn down - the pad touches the rotor and sets up a noticeable grinding noise.

Max,

I've trawled through the service manual & the owner manual, and could find nothing about this little tang. I can't remember who told me about it or when, but they said it was to do with the ABS and to make sure it went on the passenger side inner. And it's definitely on one only of the four front pads and none on any of the four rear pads.
I've got my old Bendix CTs in front of me and the end/edge of the tang (it has a 90 degree bend) is barely level with the backing plate, so if you ever wore the pad material down that far the backing plate would well & truly be scraping on the rotor, with or without the tang also scraping! So I can't see this little tang being any sort of wear indicator.

This is a wear indicator - make a grinding noise once they touch the rotor.

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/disc-brake7.jpg

So are these - light a dash warning

http://www.mapco.de/files/1006/1006960.jpg

Haven't yet found pads where the tangs are part of the ABS. continuing to look though . . . . .

OK Max, I think you've got me!

The tang on one of the 380 front pads is pretty much identical to the pic you posted.

But if it is a wear indicator / signal, why is it so close to the backing plate?

The one I have in front of me can't be sticking up any more than 1/10 of a mm above the backing plate.

And it's solid/firm, so I'm sure it hasn't moved or been bent.

Not a helluva lot of pad left before it 'goes off'!

And why on only one pad of the four?

What if your pads are wearing unevenly (not uncommon)?

You could be down to nothing on the other three before the indicator goes off.

You can download the 380 service manual somewhere here - can't find it myself at moment but will email that chapter to you

Downloaded the iso, does not tell me much - pretty much, remove pads and replace! Nothing about moving the calliper pistons back in?

Received your PDF too, thanks!

Same method, ABS bits are nowhere near the calliper. I usually loosen the brake bleeder screw a bit so the dirty fluid squirts out when the pistons are pushed back in. I don't want that to flow back through the lines. Do a bleed once the new pads are in.

Good point! Damn, need to find that bleed kit now.

Any recommendations for pads, Bendix / Ferodo...

This is a wear indicator - make a grinding noise once they touch the rotor.

I had a TF that had this tang on it.... Squealed like a pig when the pads wore down; even with out touching the brake pedal.

Any recommendations for pads, Bendix / Ferodo...

QFM HPX.

I've had stock, Bendix CTs and QFM HPX and the HPX poo all over the others.

Some like Bendix Ultimates, good stopping power & fade resistance, but by all reports they are noisy and dusty.

Another one which might be OK is RDA Extreme, but I haven't heard of any reports on these on a 380 or on a Magna with 380 front brakes.

KJ.

I had a TF that had this tang on it.... Squealed like a pig when the pads wore down; even with out touching the brake pedal.

A bit hard to ignore that noise, but that is the whole idea. lol

I changed my front 2 weeks ago i put RDA Extreme seem good so far feel firm no noise not much dust. Had to push both pistons in at once with old pad and G cramp. The Tab talked about on pad on mine was on inside Drivers Front before so put back same. Hope its correct my pads wernt worn even RHS worn more compared to left so regreased guide pins not sure why uneven? I noticed behind disk sensor LHS covered in crap near drive shaft blew out compressed air mask on. Since this when reversing slow with foot on brake no more shudder wonder if thats why pads more worn that side.

Any recommendations for pads, Bendix / Ferodo...


Have a read of http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90136

and see my comments at posts 10 and 25 re Bendix HD's

A bit hard to ignore that noise, but that is the whole idea. lol

The Pads were Bendix CT (Off the top of my head) started to squeal after 5000kms with plenty of bite...new discs too...so chose to ignore, and turn the radio up.

The Pads were Bendix CT (Off the top of my head) started to squeal after 5000kms with plenty of bite...new discs too...so chose to ignore, and turn the radio up.

I'm having squealing noise after installing new pads to both my front and rear, have to reassemble everything again and this time coat a layer of moly grease to the back plate of the pad. Lessen the squealing down 80% but still have some noise occasionally.