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Thread: Rear disc / caliper options

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    Rear disc / caliper options

    So i'm wanting to convert the atlas on my bubble arched mk1 to rear disc brakes, planning on using 8j 13" wheels

    After doing a little reading online the common route appears to be fiesta discs and sierra calipers, can anybody comment on their performance as the brakes on my saph cossie were rubbish.

    To be honest i really wanted a full set of willwoods as they look smart but they only seem to allow for a hydraulic handbrake which would fail the MOT

    What options are available?

    I understand that i'll need to get the half shafts lathed down with the taper machining back in

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Hi,
    I had Hispec at rear, was better than Cossie ones.
    The problem is that 2 pistons is not recommended without full floating axle. But I had no issue. I might go back to Hispec but I need to adapt the support !
    By the way, Hispec makes ones with handbrake cable also.

    I have escort mk3 front discs to be able to clear enough to use genuine Escort 4 spoke wheel.
    Yes you have to turn down the hub flange, not for Tran-x halfshaft I used, they were clever at that company and already able to take disc without any mod's
    Last edited by Mkdu; 17-05-2019 at 09:14.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Wilwood do a kit that has a mechanically operated handbrake too

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Thanks for the replies, i spoke to my brother who apparently had the willwoods previously with the handbrake function but they barely held the weight of the car (as there designed for kit cars a fraction of the weight)

    I'll take a look at those hi spec calipers but may ultimately end up going to sierra / fiesta route

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Cossie rear calipers work well in my opinion, when you say your Cossie brakes were crap, in what way? ive actually noticed very little difference between 9'' drums and rear discs when i changed, the most noticable braking difference was when i fitted an AP kit to the front.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Back in the day when rear discs on std production cars were very rare we would fit Chrysler 180 rear calipers complete with handbrake mechanism and they fitted inside a 13 inch wheel. You could even buy Mintex 171 pads for them.

    Fiesta indeed might be the right caliper to go for or something on the lines of VW Golf.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by 5tox View Post
    Thanks for the replies, i spoke to my brother who apparently had the willwoods previously with the handbrake function but they barely held the weight of the car (as there designed for kit cars a fraction of the weight)
    Strickly speaking Wilwood only describe them as 'Parking Brakes'

    https://www.wilwood.com/Images/Calip..._Brake-med.jpg

    Other alternative is dual calipers - some nice AP hydraulics for power and a dinky cable one for 'parking' ?

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    I have Sierra Cosworth calipers with Mk1 Fiesta 1.1 van front discs.
    When fitting the pads, make sure the lugs are lined up with the cutouts on the caliper piston.
    Also, I found that the handbrake holds much better if it's adjusted with the foot brake fully depressed.
    I did try looking for a method of adjusting a Sierra Cosworth handbrake to try and confirm if this is the correct way to do it, but couldn't find any info.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by dt36 View Post
    I have Sierra Cosworth calipers with Mk1 Fiesta 1.1 van front discs.
    When fitting the pads, make sure the lugs are lined up with the cutouts on the caliper piston.
    Also, I found that the handbrake holds much better if it's adjusted with the foot brake fully depressed.
    I did try looking for a method of adjusting a Sierra Cosworth handbrake to try and confirm if this is the correct way to do it, but couldn't find any info.
    there's no adjusting to do, fit pads pump the pedal, then set handbrake travel with the cable adjuster. for sure i you pull the handbrake on with your foot already on the brake pedal the lever will come up higher and the handbrake be on tighter

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    I'm using fiesta st150 calipers on mine with peugeot 406 coupe discs

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Sierra calipers would be getting harder to come by ?

    So a newer more common caliper might be easier ?

    But HiSpec do offer a Sierra replacement caliper with handbrake feature....never heard any great reports on it though.

    Wilwood defo offer some stuff with handbrake feature too.

    Here are some pictures I took at Autosport a couple of years ago of some calipers. Cant find any of the Sierra/HiSpec, but they'll have some on their website anyway

    Some do have very dubious mechanicals I would never trust.

    https://postimg.cc/gallery/362o5ip3g/

    That said...they do offer an electric handbrake caliper which could have potential if you dont actually need it for the likes of handbrake turns

    http://www.hispeccalipers.co.uk/rear.html
    Last edited by stevieturbo; 19-05-2019 at 23:06.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Cosworth calipers are still available new, in plentiful supply

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by Erikmex View Post
    Cosworth calipers are still available new, in plentiful supply
    From ? vented 4wd units ?
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Burton, brake parts U.K....most use the solid ones on Escorts tho, all the new kits you see advertised have them

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Burton do seem to list only the caliper/piston section....not complete calipers/yokes ?

    Unless their image only shows that part ? and not everything they supply. But a lot of caliper refurb places these days do only supply that section as opposed to the whole thing.

    Usually ok if you just need a refurb, not so handy if you're buying outright.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Just google search, lots of them come up. Escorts dont generate enough heat in the rears to justify usinbg the 4 x 4 vented ones

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Are the caliper mounts not just the same as 2wd solid ones? i thought the mounts were the same and only the caliper width was diff??

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    The 2 fixing bolts in the hub are the same. The yoke needs to be wider to accommodate the wider disc...as does the caliper section itself.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    I see, the kits folk use on Escorts are solid disc anyway, thjose are very easy to come by

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    all parts are now available again new. The issue used to be that you need the slider which only came if got you a set from the breakers a recon caliper was just the caliper. The only thing i think you gain from the vented 4x4 sapphire brakes is weight.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    I purchased some 2WD Cossie calipers new, there obviously a reproduction of the original, a word of warning, they are no where near the quality of the originals.
    I also used Mk 3 Escort discs which fit the half shafts without the need to lathe down but they are slightly larger in diameter to the Peugeot ones people seem to suggest.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    That's the problem with reproduction.... I had one that was not sliding correctly and finally under brake on itself.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Got sierra calipers with fiesta dics on Anglia run through a willwood proportioning valve on rears & hi spec 6 pots on front with 275 x 22.5 vented on bells.
    Sierra hand brake cable all works fantastic. fit and forget. JD

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Some great info on here guys, i did see a set of repro cossie rwd calipers on ebay @ £200
    might see if i can hold out for a genuine set though that just need a clean up

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    This might not help but the set up I use on my Escort is Mini calipers (new Mini) with fiesta front solid discs.
    This is on an English axle though so don't know if that makes a big difference?
    They are fitted using a bracket.
    They work well enough for me but assume most of your braking power should/does come from the front and I use the AP kit.
    Cheers

    Dazzle


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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Just seen these come up. Not mine, but might be of interest to you :
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/olds...61897698770224

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Absolute bargain, well spotted and thanks for the heads up
    Last edited by 5tox; 26-05-2019 at 20:01.

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    Rear disc / caliper options

    Picked this lot up today, well pleased x

    Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Result, those brackets should take up your 2mm gap now

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Very nice indeed..

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by 5tox View Post
    Picked this lot up today, well pleased x

    Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
    Haha, nice. Was that from the link above?

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Looks like a Rally Design kit with those Aluminium caliper mounts like I got although mine came with solid discs. One thing I found an advantage is to mount the calipers LH on RHS and RH on LHS - this puts the handbrake linkages correct for better cable alignment. And if using RS alloys the calipers rubbed / locked up on the wheels - 10mm spacer and some grinding sorted it - in my case!

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    It looks like the caliper mounting bracket will take up more than 2mm, at a guess 5 or 6mm in which case what holds the bearing in the axle casing, is it stepped?

    Where are the calipers intended to be mounted, top or rear of the axle?

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by dt36 View Post
    Haha, nice. Was that from the link above?
    Yup

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    It looks like the caliper mounting bracket will take up more than 2mm, at a guess 5 or 6mm in which case what holds the bearing in the axle casing, is it stepped?

    Where are the calipers intended to be mounted, top or rear of the axle?
    At first i was thinking on top like a sierra but i reckon i'll perhaps have them trailing behind the disc so it doesn't look odd with the front calipers, don't suppose it makes much difference really and if i change my mind i just unbolt and rotate the bracket

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by 5tox View Post
    At first i was thinking on top like a sierra but i reckon i'll perhaps have them trailing behind the disc so it doesn't look odd with the front calipers, don't suppose it makes much difference really and if i change my mind i just unbolt and rotate the bracket
    Have a think on how/where the handbrake cable is going to run, as mentioned by Katana.
    My calipers sit at about the 11 o'clock position on the drivers side and the 1 o'clock position on the passenger side. This then gives me a straight run in on the handbrake cable.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    I can't help but think that the caliper needs mounting in a position where the handbrake cable is at it's neatest location, whether that be mounted on top of the disc or as dt says in the 11 o'clock position. I have seen some mounted where the handbrake cable appears to be dragging on the floor underslung of the axle. Maybe as Kat says swapping the calipers from side to side might cure that problem.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    whether that be mounted on top of the disc or as dt says in the 11 o'clock position. I have seen some mounted where the handbrake cable appears to be dragging on the floor underslung of the axle. Maybe as Kat says swapping the calipers from side to side might cure that problem.
    My anglia has them at 11 o'clock and that gives them a good exit angle, however due to the short wheel base it does suffer with cable length and the dragging syndrome. A rs2000 4x4 cable is on the cards also ride height is an issue as it is very low which doesn't help the tightness of the cable bend.
    Last edited by wildo105e; 29-05-2019 at 17:24.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by wildo105e View Post
    My anglia has them at 11 o'clock and that gives them a good exit angle, however due to the short wheel base it does suffer with cable length and the dragging syndrome. A rs2000 4x4 cable is on the cards also ride height is an issue as it is very low which doesn't help the tightness of the cable bend.
    Beware Wildo, the RS 2000 used inboard brake shoes on the discs for parking so I doubt the cables will fit Cossie calipers.

    There's a company somewhere near Mansfield that will do bespoke cables and I don't think they are too expensive, maybe worth a call.

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    Re: Rear disc / caliper options

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    Beware Wildo, the RS 2000 used inboard brake shoes on the discs for parking so I doubt the cables will fit Cossie calipers.

    There's a company somewhere near Mansfield that will do bespoke cables and I don't think they are too expensive, maybe worth a call.
    I thought that is what everyone supplied in their kits.

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