Break needs work - Recommendations for Break Pads / Discs?

[dsab]

Hello,

my brakes have been getting a bit strange lately, and I believe I might need a new Break Cylinder. It's a 2002 HDI (90). The brakes have been a bit strange since
I got the car, but the (Peugeot) dealer told me it will probably the Break Cylinder. They cleaned it, and it seemed to happen less often, but it still happens.

So the brakes seem quite erratic from time to time, as far as I can work out always when on low revs. If I then tip the break pedal it sometimes doesn't seem to
move down at all, it is like pressing a stone. Otherwise the break pedal is working like a knife that is cutting through warm butter, i.e. very soft and since a few
days it feels far too soft for my liking. I had it now twice in the last few days that I tried to lightly break when approaching something, but my car almost made an
emergency break both times.

So I decided to get the break cylinder changed, and plan to get the Break Pads and Discs done as well.

Do you usually go for the bog standard ones that Peugeot provide, or do you have any other recommendations that might even save some money? I have
seen that Mintex ones are sold for quite reasonable prices on Ebay. Are they any good? As my car gets serviced by an independ garage I can bring my own
spares to be fitted.

Any input much appreciated.

Regards,
Dsab

[skylinemv]

Just did my front pads and disc onan HDi 90 estate.

I used unipart factor discs at £32 a set and Peugeot pads at £49 plus my labour which is free.

The job was stright forward I never looked to augment my braking as the 406's efficiency is fine so far.

I am planning new brake flexible hoses on the front as at 123k they are showing signs of perishing.

Hope this helps.

[teamster1975]

I have seen that Mintex ones are sold for quite reasonable prices on Ebay. Are they any good?

I'm running mintex pads & discs and I've found them to be very good.

[DaiRees]

I'm running mintex pads & discs and I've found them to be very good.

Yup me too. About £60 on ebay.

[puggy]

Me too , very good

[mbell666]

add me to the mintex happy customer list

[muffindell]

I've used loads of pads over the years, some good some bad; however I have always found that Peugeot pads have a excellent 'bite' throughout their life and to be honest they aren't particularly expensive considering you only replace them every 30-40k. The only Mintex pads I liked were M171's, which are a motors sport version, they are useless when cold but fab when hot (unfortunately they also make hell of a racket when braking hards). I don't think that they make this version anymore but something similar in the range would do. I can only recommend Brembo brake discs, perfectly machined (along with wear indicators on the braking face to tell you when it's time to change discs), well presented and with new screws to mount.

[mjb]

I put Lucas discs and pads on my last 406, which are the same as the OEM ones except without the £100 blue cardboard box, and have to say they worked brilliantly, even when I could see smoke coming off them (during bloody hard driving around the peak district) they still performed well without becoming spongey. "performance" brake parts may work better on a track, but for road use you'd be crazy to spend the extra money for no extra gain.

[muffindell]

Thinking about it, the M171's were for fast road use, so mildly uprated compared with standard spec

[dsab]

Hello,

my brakes have been getting a bit strange lately, and I believe I might need a new Break Cylinder. It's a 2002 HDI (90). The brakes have been a bit strange since I got the car, but the (Peugeot) dealer told me it will probably the Break Cylinder. They cleaned it, and it seemed to happen less often, but it still happens.

So the brakes seem quite erratic from time to time, as far as I can work out always when on low revs. If I then tip the break pedal it sometimes doesn't seem to move down at all, it is like pressing a stone. Otherwise the break pedal is working like a knife that is cutting through warm butter, i.e. very soft and since a few days it feels far too soft for my liking. I had it now twice in the last few days that I tried to lightly break when approaching something, but my car almost made an emergency break both times.

So I decided to get the break cylinder changed, and plan to get the Break Pads and Discs done as well.

Do you usually go for the bog standard ones that Peugeot provide, or do you have any other recommendations that might even save some money? I have
seen that Mintex ones are sold for quite reasonable prices on Ebay. Are they any good? As my car gets serviced by an independ garage I can bring my own
spares to be fitted.

Any input much appreciated.

Regards,
Dsab

I had my 406 with another Peugeot Dealer (Startermotor gone) and when they test drove the car they thought as well that my breaks were a bit funny, even though I recently got new pads and discs. They looked at it, and according to them the Break Servo is faulty. A new one inlc. fitting will cost 145 GBP +VAT. But I just sourced a used one for 35 GBP and will get it fitted tomorrow. Hope that will be the last problem for a while.