Brake discs from brand manufacturers

How the brake disc works

The brake discs are a part of the disc brake and together with the brake pads generate a braking torque which is then transmitted to the wheel hub and the rim. The kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into thermal energy by friction between the pads and the disc, so that the speed is reduced. 90 percent of the heat generated penetrates the brake disc and is temporarily stored there. The heat is then transferred to the ambient air. Thus the brake disc serves as a kind of heat exchanger. It is important to dissipate the heat to the environment as quickly as possible in order to avoid overheating damage, as the brake disc can only absorb a limited amount of heat.

How to recognize the wear of a brake disc

The brake discs are therefore exposed to high thermal and mechanical loads. The following environmental influences also play a major role:

Road dirt, through which smaller stones get between brake disc and brake pad and are dragged along
Gritting agent, as the salts attack the material

Brake discs are subject to natural wear. When the wear limit is reached, the discs must be replaced to ensure reliable functioning of the braking system. Most newer cars have a so-called warning contact for this purpose. On the one hand, there is a cable which ensures that a warning light warns of wear in good time. Alternatively, there are also acoustic wear warning contacts which draw attention to themselves by making loud noises when braking. If no warning contacts are installed, there is still the visual inspection. The wear limit indicates when the brake discs are worn out. The discs have a minimum dimension specified by the manufacturer. The wear limit varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The defined minimum thickness is located on the outer edge or on the disc cup. Usually this information is stored in the technical data of the vehicle or in the service booklet. Grooves on the disc can also be an indication of wear. Flash rust, on the other hand, is normal and does not impair the function of the brake disc.

The following signs also indicate defective brake discs:

Braking effect has noticeably decreased
The steering wheel vibrates strongly when braking
Brake disc is overheated and started blue
Irregular braking action

Changing brake discs - what should be observed?

Changing the brake disc is basically not very complicated, but there are a few important points to consider to ensure road safety. We therefore recommend that the brake disc change be carried out by a specialist. In this way many mistakes can be avoided which would damage or contaminate parts of the brake system and reduce the braking force. In order to always be on the road with a good feeling, the brakes should be checked regularly during the inspection. There the thickness of the brake discs is also determined with the help of measuring instruments. When changing the brake discs it is also advisable to use a brake pad paste such as Plastilube to prevent the brake pads from rusting with the brake carrier. This is applied to all guide surfaces on the brake caliper and on the back plate of the brake pads.

It is not advisable to continue using the vehicle with worn brakes. Otherwise the brake discs would crack, which could lead to a sharp reduction in braking efficiency and cause damage to other brake components. When replacing brake discs, the discs should always be replaced together with the pads per axle, i.e. in pairs.

Differences - finding the right brake discs for your vehicle

There are different types of brake discs that are used for heat regulation.

Full brake discs
These are mainly brake discs installed ex works, as they are the cheapest to purchase. They are still increasingly installed on the rear axle and can be found in older vehicles.

Ventilated brake discs
During braking, the friction ring can reach temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius. For this reason, ventilated brake discs are frequently used, especially for the front axle. With the larger surface area, which is more suitable for heat exchange, the front axle is better cooled.

Perforated brake discs / slotted brake discs
The perforated brake discs have an even better cooling effect and have the advantage that they are less sensitive to wetness. Slotted brake discs are an adaptation of the perforated brake discs and have the same effect.

Brake discs are made of different materials such as grey cast iron and ceramics. The normal brake discs are made of grey cast iron.The ceramic brake disks are often used as special equipment for highly motorized vehicles and therefore have a higher price. The advantages for ceramic brake discs are the low weight, an extremely long service life and high form stability at all temperatures.

In our shop you will find grey cast iron and ceramic brake discs exclusively from renowned manufacturers who produce in OEM quality. These include Zimmermann, Herth+Buss, Textar, TRW and Brembo, and many others.The brake pads as well as the wear warning contacts should also be replaced as they also wear out. With our inexpensive brake sets you can also save money.

Important in the search for the right brake discs are the key numbers and, if necessary, restrictions on the vehicle, such as the PR numbers for cars from the Volkswagen Group. The restrictions are indicated in the list of vehicles on the respective product page and can also be found in your vehicle registration or in the vehicle service booklet. A small instruction how to read the PR numbers can be found on our help page. Thanks to this information you will also find the brake callipers and the brake pads in the required size. If you need further help in choosing the right brake disc, please contact our customer service.

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Check the brake discs regularly!

How the brake disc works

How to recognize the wear of a brake disc

Changing brake discs - what should be observed?

Differences - finding the right brake discs for your vehicle