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Rear disc brakes upgrade?
J222jra - 7/10/14 at 08:35 PM

Hi guys just after some opinions really.


My locost currently has mk2 escort van rear drum brakes that have always been fine. Whilst I'm rebuilding the car though is it worth converting the English axle to disc brakes?

Thanks in advance.


CosKev3 - 7/10/14 at 08:42 PM

If it's just a fast road/occasional track car drums are good enough on the rear.

I've gone for discs just for looks really


perksy - 7/10/14 at 08:44 PM

To be fair on something as lightweight as a 7 type car I think drums are fine and as you say they are working ok.

Save the money and spend it on something else

Just my 2p


ali f27 - 7/10/14 at 08:49 PM

I went willwood looks good but hand brake poo even with Adithorp mods which are necessary to pass mot thanks Adi probs the worst think i spent money on in terms of value


scutter - 7/10/14 at 08:49 PM

I did the conversion on an Atlas axle, should have spent the money on something else. Drums worked just fine

ATB Dan.


jeffw - 7/10/14 at 09:27 PM

When you come to use them in anger the rear disc provide much better balance that drums and allow shorter stopping distances. At least mine did when I went from drums to rear Willwoods. The handbrake is crap however....so I'd do it if you where tracking the car otherwise spend the dosh on something more useful.


britishtrident - 7/10/14 at 09:55 PM

If the brakes are not fading and generally up to the job the only reason for going to discs on the rear is they give more linear feel.
Due to self-servoing drum brakes give more breaking at low pedal pressures but due to mechanical factors the therate of increase in brake effectness falls off at higher pedal pressures.

Thiis effect is actually quite useful on the rear as partly compensates for the different brake bias required from dry to wet conditions.