Uprating brakes legality

[niceguy1]

Is it legal to convert drum brakes to disc brakes? Just wondering as a friend of the family staunchly believes it isn't. For example Honda Civic Lsi to rear discs. I was under the impression that as long as the stopping power is the same or better, and properly installed everything would be ok, legally.

[All Terrain]

As far as I remember, you just have to notify the insurers. A lot of Landies are converted drum -> disc

[niceguy1]

All Terrain said:

As far as I remember, you just have to notify the insurers. A lot of Landies are converted drum -> disc

Cheers, Streetcop any answers?

[edc]

I can't comment definitively on the legality but I know of plenty of warm/slow/hot hatches that have changed rears from drums to discs. None of these numerous ppl have ever encountered any legal problems to do with the brakes.

[Mr E]

Perfectly legal as far as I know.

Of course, your insurance will go up because the car can stop faster......

....errrrr....

[supraman2954]

I'm a simpleton, so forgive me if this is a silly question: Don't you need at least 1 set of drums for the parking brake? (the theory being that hydraulics will lose pressure over longer periods)

[oldred]

supraman2954 said:

I'm a simpleton, so forgive me if this is a silly question: Don't you need at least 1 set of drums for the parking brake? (the theory being that hydraulics will lose pressure over longer periods)

No, there is a mechanical lever that pushes the pads onto the disc.

[supraman2954]

oldred said:

supraman2954 said: I'm a simpleton, so forgive me if this is a silly question: Don't you need at least 1 set of drums for the parking brake? (the theory being that hydraulics will lose pressure over longer periods) No, there is a mechanical lever that pushes the pads onto the disc.

I never knew that, thanks!

[Cooperman]

So far as I'm aware, you can modify your car in any way you like so long as:
1. It still complies with all Construction & Use Regulations, and,
2. You inform your insurers of all modifications carried out so that they can consider the underwritten risk considerations of the mods.

[mybrainhurts]

niceguy1 said:

Is it legal to convert drum brakes to disc brakes? Just wondering as a friend of the family staunchly believes it isn't. For example Honda Civic Lsi to rear discs. I was under the impression that as long as the stopping power is the same or better, and properly installed everything would be ok, legally.

Tell your family friend (s)he's a dumbo.......

edited to say....assuming (s)he's not Spanish....I believe you can't do anything to a car in that misguided land......

EU.....pah

>> Edited by mybrainhurts on Thursday 2nd September 14:45

[BliarOut]

Parking brakes are usually cable operated, be they drum or disc.

[Imadreamer]

I fitted disc brakes to the rear of my Nova several years ago (I used to track it a lot and it helped immeasurably). They were from an Astra GTE I think (all new parts but the same design). The car passed numerous MOT tests and was never a problem. Even the insurance didn't go up after fitting!

[blueyes]

mybrainhurts said:

Tell your family friend (s)he's a dumbo....... edited to say....assuming (s)he's not Spanish....I believe you can't do anything to a car in that misguided land......

Nor in Italy. You can't even fit a roofrack or towbar without getting it added to your log book and it all has to be TUV approved.

Larger wheels and tyres???? Don't be silly!

Disc brakes???? EEEEEK! No way!

[mybrainhurts]

blueyes said:

mybrainhurts said: Tell your family friend (s)he's a dumbo....... edited to say....assuming (s)he's not Spanish....I believe you can't do anything to a car in that misguided land...... Nor in Italy. You can't even fit a roofrack or towbar without getting it added to your log book and it all has to be TUV approved. Larger wheels and tyres???? Don't be silly! Disc brakes???? EEEEEK! No way!

Oh, bugger...just wait 'til the Eurocrats latch on to that one..........

[edc]

Don't worry, how's a camera going to catch these death inducing changes