Drilled discs - worth it?
Discussion
I'm changing all the brakes in the next week or so, and I'm wondering if people think that drilled/grooved discs are worth it?
It's already got braided hoses, and I'm using ATE Super Blue fluid so will fully flush the old out (easy to tell with blue fluid)
Rears I'm keeping standard, new solid discs and standard pads. As I take it with all the weight up front and shifted more so when braking if I upgrade the rears it actually runs the risk of making things worse. That's what i've always understood and done in the past unless that's wrong?
Front's I'm swapping for Mondeo calipers and going for 273mm discs. But I can't work out if it's worth getting drilled or grooved (or both) discs? Reading lots of conflicting information online?
Obviously they look nicer which is a bonus but I'm not that bothered - she's a go'er not a show'er.
I'm going for decent pads up front, currently I've got red stuff but they make so much dust. I'm going to get Ferodo DS2500
It's already got braided hoses, and I'm using ATE Super Blue fluid so will fully flush the old out (easy to tell with blue fluid)
Rears I'm keeping standard, new solid discs and standard pads. As I take it with all the weight up front and shifted more so when braking if I upgrade the rears it actually runs the risk of making things worse. That's what i've always understood and done in the past unless that's wrong?
Front's I'm swapping for Mondeo calipers and going for 273mm discs. But I can't work out if it's worth getting drilled or grooved (or both) discs? Reading lots of conflicting information online?
Obviously they look nicer which is a bonus but I'm not that bothered - she's a go'er not a show'er.
I'm going for decent pads up front, currently I've got red stuff but they make so much dust. I'm going to get Ferodo DS2500
My car came with drilled/grooved disks on. They cracked through the drill holes and these were decent branded disks. Quite common apparently.
Now have standard solid disks and pads, worked fine on track (circa 40 laps during the day) so never felt the need to change.
I have DOT 5.1 and braided hoses.
Now have standard solid disks and pads, worked fine on track (circa 40 laps during the day) so never felt the need to change.
I have DOT 5.1 and braided hoses.
thanks, I've read similar things online where people have switched back to standard discs without any noticeable decline in performance. I might try them and see.
Apparently Red Stuff pads produce the least amount of dust so it looks like mine aren't those, they don't work when cold though so I'm guessing Yellow stuff. But the discs are worn down anyway so need changing
Apparently Red Stuff pads produce the least amount of dust so it looks like mine aren't those, they don't work when cold though so I'm guessing Yellow stuff. But the discs are worn down anyway so need changing
If you are going for Mondeo 887/888 Callipers then why not get 283 disks? You may need to shave the carrier a tad.
Drilled disks look better but are more prone to fracturing as weak points have been applied. Grooved would be a better bet.
I went for solid disks as I like the idea of more surface area and they were dirt cheap. If done a couple of T/D with them and they've performed faultlessly.
Drilled disks look better but are more prone to fracturing as weak points have been applied. Grooved would be a better bet.
I went for solid disks as I like the idea of more surface area and they were dirt cheap. If done a couple of T/D with them and they've performed faultlessly.
brett84 said:
thanks, I've read similar things online where people have switched back to standard discs without any noticeable decline in performance. I might try them and see.
Apparently Red Stuff pads produce the least amount of dust so it looks like mine aren't those, they don't work when cold though so I'm guessing Yellow stuff. But the discs are worn down anyway so need changing
I had red stuff pads, cold perfomance was terrible (as in virtually no brakes after a motorway run) but this was quite a few years back I understand they have improved since. My standard pads (as selected and fitted by my garage) have worked faultlessly for a while now. Apparently Red Stuff pads produce the least amount of dust so it looks like mine aren't those, they don't work when cold though so I'm guessing Yellow stuff. But the discs are worn down anyway so need changing
sounds like standard discs it is then.
the whole 888 caliper thing is a bit confusing. I've been reading about it LOADS and a few people are saying they have fitted standard mk2 mondeo calipers fine? Other people are saying that standard mk2 calipers are the same as the 888 versions? (which are getting harder to find and more expensive).
So I was planning on just getting some reconditioned standard mk2 calipers. Do the larger discs fit ok? how much is needed to be 'modified'?
the whole 888 caliper thing is a bit confusing. I've been reading about it LOADS and a few people are saying they have fitted standard mk2 mondeo calipers fine? Other people are saying that standard mk2 calipers are the same as the 888 versions? (which are getting harder to find and more expensive).
So I was planning on just getting some reconditioned standard mk2 calipers. Do the larger discs fit ok? how much is needed to be 'modified'?
brett84 said:
sounds like standard discs it is then.
the whole 888 caliper thing is a bit confusing. I've been reading about it LOADS and a few people are saying they have fitted standard mk2 mondeo calipers fine? Other people are saying that standard mk2 calipers are the same as the 888 versions? (which are getting harder to find and more expensive).
So I was planning on just getting some reconditioned standard mk2 calipers. Do the larger discs fit ok? how much is needed to be 'modified'?
I fitted 887/888 calipers and all it needed was the two mounting holes in the front hubs drilling out a bit (to 10mm I think) and some 10mm spacers popping in between the hub and caliper. I'm afraid that I gave away a set of 887/888 calipers that just needed cleaning up ... no idea whether the person I gave them to ever used them. the whole 888 caliper thing is a bit confusing. I've been reading about it LOADS and a few people are saying they have fitted standard mk2 mondeo calipers fine? Other people are saying that standard mk2 calipers are the same as the 888 versions? (which are getting harder to find and more expensive).
So I was planning on just getting some reconditioned standard mk2 calipers. Do the larger discs fit ok? how much is needed to be 'modified'?
Phil
The bigger 283 discs are sierra cosworth 2 wheel drive and only need a small spacer the size of a normal washer to centralise the caliper. The 278 discs need a much thicker spacer. Not sure what discs the 278 are from. I just preferred having the thin spacer. A normal washer did the job perfect.
this is what I found online, so I'll try to get 888 calipers but if can't then not too fussed as discs are really cheap.
"You don't have to use 887/888 Mondeo calipers, it's just that they're preferable as they take the full size pads.
Later Mondeo V6's still used the 278mm discs and carriers, but Ford started using the 2.0 Zetec calipers in the carrier (presumably to save money!). This affects most ST24's and all ST200's. My calipers came off an ST200, so I found this out when I fitted the brakes (I also had an ST200 at the time, so could look at it for reference). But basically the pads are slightly smaller than the surface area of the disc, leaving a small untouched area around the bottom of the surface area. That's it. Luckily, the brakes did still provide an upgrade over the originals seeing as I went from 239mm to 278mm! These calipers are much cheaper and easier to find too, think I paid less than £120 for the calipers and some new pads and discs! Add the braided hoses and it was a nice little upgrade. So all I would say is do some more research and don't get too hung up on the 887/888 thing. It's preferable for an extra 5mm of friction area on the inside of the disc, but they usually cost more.
"You don't have to use 887/888 Mondeo calipers, it's just that they're preferable as they take the full size pads.
Later Mondeo V6's still used the 278mm discs and carriers, but Ford started using the 2.0 Zetec calipers in the carrier (presumably to save money!). This affects most ST24's and all ST200's. My calipers came off an ST200, so I found this out when I fitted the brakes (I also had an ST200 at the time, so could look at it for reference). But basically the pads are slightly smaller than the surface area of the disc, leaving a small untouched area around the bottom of the surface area. That's it. Luckily, the brakes did still provide an upgrade over the originals seeing as I went from 239mm to 278mm! These calipers are much cheaper and easier to find too, think I paid less than £120 for the calipers and some new pads and discs! Add the braided hoses and it was a nice little upgrade. So all I would say is do some more research and don't get too hung up on the 887/888 thing. It's preferable for an extra 5mm of friction area on the inside of the disc, but they usually cost more.
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