anyone used the rear disk kit from ultimate engineering?

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 24 Sep 2008, 17:36

Belly laugh!!!

Post by **andysimpson** » 24 Sep 2008, 18:13

ken simmonds wrote:
andysimpson wrote:
lhd wrote:
I would suggest however that if you want to drive like a rally driver you swap the T25 for a . . Mexico complete with clip board and leater driving gloves.

Who said anything about driving mad, i did the correct thing of a big brake upgrade after a big engine and wheel upgrade. 2wd t25's brake are fairly good, syncro ones are poor especailly with bigger wheels.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 24 Sep 2008, 18:47

Case of "does my bum look big in this" - heh heh

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 24 Sep 2008, 18:58

My Kangoo trekka has rear discs, they are a constant source of problems, and have had to replace one caliper, and two set of discs. The reason is that under normal driving conditions the rear discs just do not get used enough, and the discs go rough and rusty, then get grooved. There is no wear on them, just corrossion through inactivity. Even if you drive around like a hoon it just delays the rust. I am on the second set of rear discs and pads at 90,000 miles, where the front has just gone onto it's 1st set.

If the balance is not right, and the new disc brake setup underbrakes at the rear, this is what will happen.

If it overbrakes at the rear, then you are driving a very dangerous vehicle, as a rear wheel lock up on a bend will lead to instant oversteer, and a collision with the hedge, or on coming traffic.

In a serious accident your vehicle will be scrutinised to the nth degree, and if cause of accident is down to an un-balanced braking set up, then you are in the doo doo's.

Be very sure that any change to your brakes is TUV, or similar approved.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 24 Sep 2008, 19:16

Thats another issue too - parts replacement. ABS brakes is the answer maybe. Now that WOULD be worth having.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 24 Sep 2008, 21:01

CovKid wrote:Thats another issue too - parts replacement. ABS brakes is the answer maybe. Now that WOULD be worth having.

Yes I guess that would be good. On one of my many trips Dooorset (down the M25,M3,M27 and A31) we were all stood standing in a jam nicely spread out when some nutter in a big posh saloon zig zags through us all with all wheels smoking and the steering wheel being wrenched from side to side. He eventually made it through to the hard shoulder where he skidded on for a few more yards before coming to a halt. This would have been a real challenge for someone using cadence braking and certainly save the day. But should he have been going so fast or paying so little attention? Safer you make them the bigger bang when it comes!
Cheers
Ken

Post by **andysimpson** » 24 Sep 2008, 21:31

CovKid wrote:Thats another issue too - parts replacement. ABS brakes is the answer maybe. Now that WOULD be worth having.

ABS only make vehicle controllable, it won't make it stop quicker (some very modern ones CAN) it also not quick enough to cope with rear end breaking away under hard braking and cornering, ESP will catch most oversteers. ABS in alot of conditions will increase the distance it takes to stop.

Post by **andysimpson** » 24 Sep 2008, 21:37

syncrosimon wrote:My Kangoo trekka has rear discs, they are a constant source of problems, and have had to replace one caliper, and two set of discs. The reason is that under normal driving conditions the rear discs just do not get used enough, and the discs go rough and rusty, then get grooved. There is no wear on them, just corrossion through inactivity. Even if you drive around like a hoon it just delays the rust. I am on the second set of rear discs and pads at 90,000 miles, where the front has just gone onto it's 1st set.

The last 7 or 8 vehicles i have had except one have had discs all round discs have only been replaced when worn not corroded, never had caliper issues (i don't do french "pooh").

My everyday car back wheels get just as covered in brake dust as the fronts.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 24 Sep 2008, 21:43

There was a wonderful documentary in the early 90s called 'Crash' which gave the history of the car in the context of accidents and one thing that has been known for many years is that every time a safety 'feature' is added, be it, ABS, protection areas, airbags etc, drivers simply drive faster or more recklessly, putting the safety margin back where it was. In the 50s, cars had few safety features and without belts, the biggest killer was steering wheels and hard metal dashboards. As the perceived 'safeness' is increased, we become 'cosy' in out metal boxes and lose all sense of proportion.

This was one of the things I adored about the Beetle - you could FEEL the road beneath you and were always reminded of the limitations and adjusted accordingly. The best safety feature would be a big spike sticking out of the steering wheel and no seat belts. Watch people slow down then!

Post by **PEET** » 24 Sep 2008, 22:41

I was told from a friend (who's a large dealership mechanic) that the manufacturers reasoning for rear discs being fitted are more from a price and reliability point of view before a performance angle, thats just a happy coincedence. Also if they are fitted to a syncro thats being used as it should surely discs are far superior and cause less hassle/repairs?
I reckon they look better too...

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 25 Sep 2008, 21:49

Ive got an ultimate kit to go on the back of my Westy.
I'm sick of adjusting the drums all the time.
I have a heavy van.
I have a bigger engine.
I drive like a knob, generally.
I think fitting rear discs is quite justified.
I also have a larger "Oettinger" style servo to fit.

Only one shoe has a self servo action...
The brake adjusters however maintained never work.
The ultimate kit has been worked out properly to work with the master cylinder, I do know lots of effort has gone into making the kit right, it's not just a set of calipers thrown on because some Americans said so on a website once.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 25 Sep 2008, 22:16

E D I T... I was going to make further comment, but thought better of it....

Post by **R0B** » 25 Sep 2008, 22:22

the point is si.you have an opinion.and why not share that with us.whatever anyone's opinion is.someone will want to slate it.at some point.anyway...

I was going to make further comment, but whats the point, it will only get slated in anycase

Post by **toomanytoys** » 25 Sep 2008, 22:31

R0B wrote:the point is si.you have an opinion.and why not share that with us.whatever anyone's opinion is.someone will want to slate it.at some point.anyway...

I was going to make further comment, but whats the point, it will only get slated in anycase

Exactly... "average joe" asked the question, so the sensible answer for "average joe" was given... but "highly modified" slating was introduced.... as usuall.......

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 26 Sep 2008, 06:38

My rear drums have all new components fitted by the army in Finland, and the components are all passivate yellow, I have not had to adjust them in the 2 1/4 years. The hand brake will hold her anywhere.

I d think that rear discs look really nice, especially with alloys, but you cant see them on mine anyway, so I will stick with drums.

CJ has had a couple of syncros with ABS, dont know what he thought of them.