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Converting live axle to disks
ceebmoj - 6/12/06 at 01:14 PM

Hi all,

I think that my car has and English axle and I wanted to convert it to disks from drums. My questions are what do I need and how do I correctly identify the axle?

blake

dozracing - 6/12/06 at 01:39 PM

Easiest way is to contact Rally Design and buy a kit of parts off the shelf.

DG

Fatgadget - 6/12/06 at 01:49 PM

Chrysler 180 disks fit straight on....If you can still find them.

Peteff - 6/12/06 at 02:36 PM

Fiesta solid front discs fit on the rear with the drum backplates removed. You'll need some callipers like the VW or Pug/Citroen ones and some brackets either welded on or bolted to the half shaft bearing plate.

russbost - 6/12/06 at 03:55 PM

I'd have to ask - why?

Andy S - 6/12/06 at 05:30 PM

I have to agree - why? - the conversion to discs just makes the assembly heavier and you end up with a sytem that will be overbraked and need to be restricted by a bias valve etc.

Only worth while if on a heavy car with poor brakes as standard that you intend to make much quicker.

If you want to upgrade - go for drilling the back plates to add a bit of extra cooling and new grooved drums.

Andy

lsdweb - 6/12/06 at 05:51 PM

HAve a look here for weights and how to do it.

Wyn

britishtrident - 6/12/06 at 09:03 PM

Just use Escort Mk3 1980-86 front non-vented discs very cheap for www.buypartsby.co.uk (less than 6 quide + vat + p&p


Rear Calipers Rover 216 or 416 or VW Golf are about ideal.

britishtrident - 6/12/06 at 09:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Fatgadget
Chrysler 180 disks fit straight on....If you can still find them.


In the 1970s they were the only discs that fitted straight over a 4.25" pcd hub but things a have moved on a lot since then, just about any 80s-200 Ford Sierra or Escort disc can be used.

britishtrident - 6/12/06 at 09:10 PM

True but the real benefit from rear disc on a Locost is they respond to pedal presure in a similar fashion to the front discs unlike drums which have a different friction/pressure curve.


quote:
Originally posted by Andy S
I have to agree - why? - the conversion to discs just makes the assembly heavier and you end up with a sytem that will be overbraked and need to be restricted by a bias valve etc.

Only worth while if on a heavy car with poor brakes as standard that you intend to make much quicker.

If you want to upgrade - go for drilling the back plates to add a bit of extra cooling and new grooved drums.

Andy

Peteff - 7/12/06 at 12:11 AM

New drums are £35 each + backplate + cylinder. If you can get the Golf or Pug alloy calliper with a small disk I don't think there's that much of a weight penalty, plus disks give a firmer pedal as mentioned.

gazza285 - 7/12/06 at 05:29 AM

I've yet to find any disc that will fit straight on, most need the half shaft flange reducing in diameter to allow the disc to fit, easy job though, two minutes on a lathe. I have a pair of brackets for the Citroen/ Pug calipers to suit using the Fiesta/Escort discs if you want them, straight bolt on job.

NS Dev - 7/12/06 at 09:56 AM

same here Gazza, always had to turn a tad off the halfshaft flanges, pretty std mod.

lsdweb - 7/12/06 at 12:59 PM

I turned the discs rather than the halfshafts as I worked on the premise that if I ever broke a halfshaft it would be easier to scounge one if it didn't have to be already machined.