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Wilwood brakes
Coopz - 8/9/09 at 10:27 AM

I've searched through many of the previous posts about wilwoods but haven't found the answer i'm after.

Ok so i'm running wilwood powerlite on the front with mintex pads... (The car is still in build stage) So generally i'm after the powerlight handbrake caliper. But after talking to MK they were very down on these has anyone got any experience with them is the handbrake that bad?

My second question is i'm stumped on what to order from rally design they do two kits one for disc and one for drum hubs (apparently the hub needs to be lathed down) which i don't fancy doing! I know I have drum hubs but have the disc adapter plate from MK does this mean if i order the disc setup they will fit and i get away without the lathe?

Anyone had any experience with this as i don't want to have an expensive mistake!


Flamez - 8/9/09 at 10:41 AM

I have rear powerlights with handbrake. They work just fine once bedded in. The only drawback is that the handbrake mechanism, lever, on the caliper protrudes outside the caliper casing. This makes fitting 13" rear wheels difficult. The only make I have found that give clearance are 13" team dynamics pro race 1.2. i think 14" and above would be ok.

See here for a picture.


Frosty - 8/9/09 at 10:45 AM

Rally Design told me that the hand brake is terrible and doesn't work very well at all.


turbodisplay - 8/9/09 at 10:50 AM

Nowdays so many cars have good handbrake calipers it is worthwhile using these. I have one from a vx220 (elise is same) on 25mm vented discs.
It works quite well, although i have heard of cars rolling, due to thermal contraction.
Personally i don`t think they put the handbrake on enough.

Darren


Coopz - 8/9/09 at 10:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Flamez
I have rear powerlights with handbrake. They work just fine once bedded in. The only drawback is that the handbrake mechanism, lever, on the caliper protrudes outside the caliper casing. This makes fitting 13" rear wheels difficult. The only make I have found that give clearance are 13" team dynamics pro race 1.2. i think 14" and above would be ok.

See here for a picture.


Thats good to know, I have 15" 1.2 pro race so clearance shouldn't be a problem any idea which kit to order though were you running drum or disk hubs? did you need to lathe down your hubs?


[Edited on 8/9/09 by Coopz]


adithorp - 8/9/09 at 10:54 AM

The hub flange has to be reduced in diameter to fit the disc (fiesta I think)thats supplied with the kit.

The powerlite handbrake caliper isn't the best engineering solution. It lacks leverage in some instalations (Fury) and I had to put an extra lever mechanism in to get it to work. In theory it needs constant adjustment as the pads wear; Having said that mine works well and after 4000miles has only just been adjusted for the first time and my extra linkage should make it need more adjustment.

13" Compomotive CXR's fit ok.

adrian


Gav - 8/9/09 at 11:33 AM

I've got them too.
The handbrake will hold the car on a hill, for instance it held the car on the incline of the car trailer i used for SVA so maybe a tad over 30/35 degree?.
This did require a really good pull on the handbrake though.
If i was to leave it on a hill i would keep it in gear just in case!


big-vee-twin - 8/9/09 at 11:56 AM

Your drum brake hubs need to be turned down to 134mm diameter to fit the disk brake kit sold by Rally design linky


A1 - 8/9/09 at 01:02 PM

Ive heard the wilwood handbrakes arent too great, Im thinking of getting hi spec rear calipers.

or...how about getting a spot caliper? Ive checked it out, hispec do them for 65quid each. dont think ill go for it due to the extra weight.


Coopz - 8/9/09 at 04:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big-vee-twin
Your drum brake hubs need to be turned down to 134mm diameter to fit the disk brake kit sold by Rally design linky


How exactly can this be done bit worried about doing it my self? any pictures?