Yellowstuff Pads/Land Rover Calipers on a Westfield

[Lordbenny]

I've got Land Rover Discovery rear calipers on the front of my Westfield (Westfield started using them when new Ford M16 calipers became hard to come by)

The car came with Yellowstuff pads in when I bought it, however, I have never been too happy with the stopping power of the car. The rears will lock up under heavy braking but the fronts wont (even with the brake bias set full on front).

Question - As the calipers are for a 2 ton Land Rover would the Yellowstuff pad's compound be any different to a compound for pad suitable for a 550kg kit car? If so, that would explain why they're not stopping so well.

[HustleRussell]

First of all, when was your brake fluid last changed (flushed and re-bled)? I suspect that isn't your problem but it's worth establishing early doors anyway.
I don't know anything about the caliper in question, or the pads for that matter. I've had wildly variable results with EBC brake pads so it's possible yours are out of a bad batch. Do they get any better as they heat up? My gut feeling is the Yellowstuff pads aren't reaching their optimum operating temperature because the car is lightweight and the open-wheel design keeps them cool.
My Caterham uses Spitfire front calipers and Mintex 1155 pads work brilliantly in all conditions, road and race. Many people are using Mintex 1144 which are even milder. They're quite a soft pad so they're quiet and progressive but make quite a bit of dust.

[PhillipM]

EBC does use different variants of their pads for heavy/off road cars, yes, even if they're called the same, they tend to have less friction but better lifespan.

[Lordbenny]

PhillipM said:

EBC does use different variants of their pads for heavy/off road cars, yes, even if they're called the same, they tend to have less friction but better lifespan.

That may well ex-lain things, thanks.