Is it due for replacing?

I haven't done any major research in the wheelarch area yet, but something is not right.

Symptoms:
- During autumn 09 and this winter, my Stilo's brakes has in general become weaker - even my wife notices is.
- The handbrake has to be pulled with force (very hard) to hold the car in a steep hill. Not wife-friendly.
- Rear left wheel smells like burned engine oil. The alloy is hot but not burning. Not wife-relaxing.

The car has travelled 75.000 km and nothing has been done to the brakes in 8 years. No fluid change either. They have been 100% perfect until now, so I feel it's ok if something needs replacing.

Should I just buy 4 new discs, 4 sets of pads and get a new caliper at the same time?

It's still 1,5 meters of snow outside and pretty cold so I'm not going to do anything before April/May when I change to summer tires.

Just need some opinions and thoughts before I start. And it's MOT time in May...

your handbrake needs adjusting and id say the pads are knackered. during cold weather too, the handbrake may freeze on, thus making the pads bind, quicker wear, and the burning smell, and may hae also warped the disc. Does the lever travel a long way up? oh, a plus, its the cheaper option.

Thanks for the input. I rarely use the handbrake. My wife finds it very useful though. I never put the handbrake on after driving. Every Friday, I drive to work, and park in a heated garage - the car loves it, and all snow and ice vanish into thin air. :) Except the huge amounts of salt and asphalt grit. That's another story. I thought the handbrake was self adjusting, so I haven't poked around for the tightening nut either, and if I was to change pads I'd stay clear of it.

Anyway, I suppose I have a fauly caliper. Is it repairable or should I just get a new (used) one.

Will the standard discs outlive the pads? Or should I do everything at the same time? I will then need some buying advice aswell. :) It's a long time since I've been working on brakes now. Last time was the Ritmo Abarth - with rear drum brakes...

Hello Morton..Philip will be pleased to see you on here ..he was only saying the other day "I wonder if Morty had our christmas card " I am sure he can help you with the problem when he is back on his feet..I know he has loads of good links for brake parts and spares should you need them ..

Hello Phil. Yeah, I got the card, hopefully you got mine aswell.

FIAT STILO 1.6 GROOVED BRAKE DISCS GREEN STUFF PADS on eBay (end time 07-Apr-10 1648 BST)

I''ve had these in my watch list since Christmas now, but now it is time to really consider what to do...

Prices here are so high, that I'd rather sell the car. VAT or not, it all ends much cheaper to buy from the UK.

OK before I go into work Philip said if they are the same ones than dan bought recently then dont get them..He is laid up at the moment Morten but I am sure he will help with getting something sorted when he is up and about..

[posted by Mrs PNL]

hi Morty, i would replace the rear pads but also inspect the condition of the disc. rear pads should be enough.
when you have the caliper off to wind back the piston you have to turn the piston clockwise on the RHS and Anti clockwise on the LHS.
to adjust the handbrake you have to take the rear of the centre console apart and you'll see a "gold" adjusting nut it's 10mm turn it clockwise with the handbrake in the "off position" a few times and test the handbrake to see how it feels.

Thanks Phil. I got an idea when I asked about the disc brand.

Reply: "OEM spec".

Well, not exactly what I was asking, so they are just there in my watch list.

I'd rather go for these then (also in my watch list): Brembo Brake Disc FIAT Stilo 1.6 16V 01 to 07 on eBay (end time 04-Apr-10 13:21:51 BST)

This shows the piston, right? Found an image from a Swedish site of the Stilo rear caliper. If my caliper is sticky or stuck or whatever, what might be the problem? Can i fix it?

its twist piston on the rear, so could just need greasing inside, but its a pain getting it apart, and back together without breaking the seal