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brake upgrade


brian wesby

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The easiest upgrade is simply to swap the front disc pads to Mintex 1144, often discussed here. Unless your Vitesse has been modified to increase power output substantially, the standard braking system in good condition and fitted with 1144 pads should be up to the heat and inclines of Spanish driving.

My 2.5 litre GT6 has standard brakes, apart from the Mintex 1144s. Even though the power output has been increased by 30-40%, this setup is adequate for road use.

There are quite a few references to Mintex 1144 on this forum, all positive!

Nigel

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Brian,

No argument with  hotter brake material (one that will tolerate more heat, not from page 3 of the Sun!)    But mountains imply long descents, with continuous brake use leading to overheating.      Vented brake discs are invaluable for this.   They need a bit of work to allow the calipers to accomodate their greater thickness, but perfectly possible and a really good mod.

I have Ford capri 2.8i discs, but many others can be made to fit.

John

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Definitely, refresh the Fluid!!. "Brown Trouser" Moment trying to stop a 9t American R-V on a down grade!!. The fluid was less then 3 years old!. But NO brakes!!. The Big Diesel in the back was screaming in low gear. and the ride on the verge trying to lose forward momentum, was of serious "off road" dimensions!. It was a good job there was no other traffic at the time. Once it Cooled I got brakes back, crawled to a campground and spent the next day bleeding the whole system through with fresh Fluid.

Pete

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John has made an important point. If there are long descents, then vented is a sensible move to stop the brakes overheating. 

Otherwise the mintex 1144 option is wise. If you do find they overheat (not unheard of!) the ferodo DS2500 though they have slightly less cold bite. But sit down before you ask how much.... they do last very well though.

The brake fluid thing is essential. DOT 4, change every 2 years and if it gets seriously hot, change it ASAP. 

You know when your brakes are getting really hot. The grease melts out the wheel bearings, drips onto the discs and you think the car is on fire. But you can't stop as the brakes have had enough. Quite scary stuff.

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Perhaps there's room for improvement in brake cooling via ducts.?   In a previous life, I was called to make up ducted plates for a race car (not a Triumph but the same principles apply) which took 'fresh' / cooler air from the front of the car.  Naturally your choice of wheels can likewise make a big difference to the amount of air getting to the brake disc and calipers.

Not intending to be flippant, but the simplest (and cheapest) solution is of course to slow down and then to stop occasionally ..to allow things too cool down, both for the engine oil uphill and for the brakes on a long downhill. ie., think to drive according to the conditions as anyone on the 1970's or before would do.

It is worth remembering that one of the beauties of being in the mountains is that the air is much cooler than in the plains ..which is why the Spanish migrate to them for their holidays. 

Pete

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18 minutes ago, Bfg said:

 

It is worth remembering that one of the beauties of being in the mountains is that the air is much cooler than in the plains ..which is why the Spanish migrate to them for their holidays. 

Pete

Not just the Spanish. I didn't get my holiday in the Pyrenees or Picos d'Europa this year because of a certain virus! I agree about stopping often. Take advantage of the scenery, that's what it is all about. 🏞️

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1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said:

alright   have  edited and added the E  ............... sillykone

pete

Which reminds me of the old Lancashire joke at the undertakers.

A man asked for a simple line added to the head stone. It read 'She was thine'.

The head funeral director, thinking this was quite easy. gave the job to the apprentice.

The following day, as pleased as punch, the lad asked the director to view his work.

Aghast, the director lambasted the apprentice. You silly bu99er, you have left the E off  - as it read "She was thin"

The following day, not so pleased with his work, the apprentice asked the director to see his work

Upon reading it the director collapsed in a flood of tears.

In true Lancashire style the lad had chiseled  "E she was thin"

 

Sorry about that very old joke.

Roger

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3 hours ago, RogerH said:

In true Lancashire style the lad had chiseled  "E she was thin"

Allegedly, when John Wayne was cast as the Roman soldier in the crucifixion scene of one of the great biblical films, and he delivered the line "surely this was the son of God", the director asked him to try saying it with a bit more awe. In the next take... "Awww, surely this was the son of God"

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May or may not be of interest. Recently there has been some discussion on Motorhome websites following complaints of Disk warping, mainly where the park brake has been applied imediately upon stopping. It would appear that suspicion is focused on Brake systems, where after a long downward run the vehicle has been stopped and the park brake applied imediately, It was theorised that the Heat absorbed in the Caliper system was concentrated in a localised fashion, causing the disks to warp. Some where advacating not to use the park brake, under those conditions, unless safety was compromised.

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27 minutes ago, PeteH said:

May or may not be of interest. Recently there has been some discussion on Motorhome websites following complaints of Disk warping, mainly where the park brake has been applied imediately upon stopping. It would appear that suspicion is focused on Brake systems, where after a long downward run the vehicle has been stopped and the park brake applied imediately, It was theorised that the Heat absorbed in the Caliper system was concentrated in a localised fashion, causing the disks to warp. Some where advacating not to use the park brake, under those conditions, unless safety was compromised.

A known issue with brakes. They need to cool before using te handbrake. (after a track session, last lap is used to cool down, and then don't apply the brakes when you park up. Saves the discs warping)

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to get a grip im sure modern discs are made of monkey metal  its been a problem for some years that hot discs and pressure washing gives them the wobble as would flood water

not easy but you never want to stop with a  very  hot disc as the pad resin stuff bonds to the disc face and you get vibrations 

and most rear disc needs the foot brake applied then lock it off with the hand brake  as they are designe d a a parking brake not a secondary brake        or ..........as the caliper and disc cool the brake lets go ...  bye bye car 

pete

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