350i BRAKE UPGRADE

[GRIFFONMARK]

My brakes appear to be working OK (no binding calipers, no leaks, passed MOT)although the brake fluid won't have been changed for a long time. However, when I drive very hard I get real bad fade and burning smell from the rear, possibly as a result of the fronts giving up. I want to do the princess upgrade with ventilated discs but can't get hold of calipers at a price I can afford (£250 plus). Is it possible to do a direct replacement with Granada Mk2 vented discs and calipers which I may find easier to get hold of? i'm not bothered about increasing braking power, I just want to get rid of the fade which is my limiting factor to driving fast, the engine having more than enough poke.

Regards

Mark

[Number 7]

First off I'd flush the old fluid out and replace with DOT 5.1 (not silicon) as the old fluid will have absorbed moisture over time, which the heat from heavy braking will cause to boil, causing compressable gas bubles.

Then I'd take out the rear pads and check for even wear - if they're smoking it might indicate that they're not retracting properly from the rotor. Not necessarily a seized caliper, could just be an accumulation of road crud that needs cleaning out. If the pads have been getting hot enough to smoke, check the surface - if they're cracked or powdery, time to change.

I don't think you necessarily need to upgrade the fronts until you're happy that the rears are working ok.


7.

[islander]

Granda estate calipers with vented discs are a very straight forward switch I did mine in a couple of hours and are can be got from any good motor factors! The only mod you have to do is trim a small part off the back plate to get clearance. I was lucky didnt have to adjust the servo bias at all!

Fairly cheap aswell and its great to actually see the nose dip when you brake. There are plenty of other options available, Iam sure somebody will be along to tell about them.

[barrington]

2.8i granada vented disc and calipers are a straight swop but i would check the back bracks i had a caliper on the back ceized witch boiled the fluid and i lost the brakes may be worth a look

[mikeb]

Take a look at what I found when I took my brakes apart!

Had a bit of a fire in the rear ones to! Rears were binding and ran so hot that they boiled the fluid and started to burn the UJ grease!

http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/maint_brake_refurb....

MikeyB

[GV]

Where can I get the spacers for the princess 4 pots?

[taz turbo]

Not much cheaper than the £250 princess calipers, but a more up to date option, don't know what the piston diameters or disc width are though.

https://www.burtonpower.com/features/wilwoodcalipe...

I spaced the original calipers to suit Granada vented discs, which I cross drilled and have Ferodo DS11 pads, they have been on now since 95 when I rebuilt the car, very good, but pedal pressures are quite high.

Regards,

Chris.

[GRIFFONMARK]

Many thanks to all of you who took the time to reply, what superb advice! I took the following extract from web pages which states where to get the spacers from.

Calliper widening kit. RD3602 for use with A.P. callipers.1 off required from Rallydesign at £36.00, if fitting ventilated disc. Tel [phone] or Fax [phone]

Regards

Mark

[Toltec]

GRIFFONMARK said:

Calliper widening kit. RD3602 for use with A.P. callipers.1 off required from Rallydesign at £36.00, if fitting ventilated disc. Tel [phone] or Fax [phone]

Regards

Mark

Make sure these are the right size, the vented Granada discs need 10mm spacers iirc.

At the risk of stating the obvious - don't forget to get some grease into your ujs.