Best place to purchase brake parts, disc pads etc

[Middle29]

Hi all, first post. I just got myself a 1990 Atlantic. The brakes are less than ideal, have to press hard to stop. Briefly checked the discs this morning & they have a lip. Calipers & pads I haven't checked yet but calipers are a little rusty / original but might be ok. Servo is working after doing a test on pedal at startup. I have a family so want it safe...

My question is if buying standard parts should I go justampers, brickworks etc or can I get this sort of thing from gsf or similar or is that bad juju. What's the difference?

Also any info on checks I could do (back drums?) would be great, if I don't need to replace all parts, but I'm thinking if the discs have a lip then maybe it's time for all new if it's all coming off. Should I do drums at back too?

Many thanks in advance...

[nobbyfox]

Brickwerks!
All the parts advertised on the BW website are made specifically for our type of van and will fit.

Steve

[Delbertini]

Brickwerks is always my first port of call for most bits, JK parts are not so good had some real poor stuff from them. Do check out euro parts as some bits are dead cheap and good quality.

[kevcorks]

I've recently had front discs and pads from euro parts and they were great.

[kevtherev]

Has the brake fluid been changed (every two years)
Has the system been bled

Thin discs will cause brake fade
Leaky wheel cylinders will cause poor braking
Badly adjusted handbrake will give a hard pedal

[Middle29]

Thanks for the replies!

Brake fluid has just been replaced according to an invoice (Not by me - So I would assume also bled).

The discs definitely have a lip around them so are worn but I'm assuming this wouldn't have a massive effect in comparison to thin/no pads, bad servo etc etc - but correct me if I'm wrong on that.

With leaky cylinders
would this be visible & is that something i can check, or just the level of the brake fluid changing? interested to hear more - are they only on the back? Is there a master cylinder? Any link to a diagram of the braking system on T3 would be great.

Handbrake seems very good & holds well - but does travel quite a lot from floor to about 55 degrees - not sure if that is relevant.

Thanks for all your help so far... I suppose I'd like to know how to systematically narrow down the cause(s).

[pionte]

I have just ordered replacement brake parts for my latest van, I went to Brickwerks ( as I always do ) the reason being I trust them, they sell the parts that they fit and they warranty , with brakes I firmly believe that cheapest is not necessarily the best ! Remember that on our vans, the front discs also carry the wheel bearings, personally If I can't be certain when they where last changed and with which brand I change them at the same time , it is perfectly possible to swap them over.

With the rears its a case of taking the drums off and having a look, quite often you will find a weeping wheel cylinder, always best to catch these early before the shoes become contaminated, a de dust and adjust is usually sufficient to get them working well. The brakes on these vans are pretty good once set up as they should be, a change of fluid is also a good idea, cheap and easy enough to do.

[Middle29]

Great thanks. Have now found a diagram on google images. I couldn't have looked too well. I'll check everything out over the weekend I hope if missus & 2 yr old lets me

[pionte]

Nice van by the way get some pics up, everyone here loves pics.

If you do need to change the front discs, and you aren't familiar with tapper roller bearings on the front , do a quick search for a write up I did last year with pictures showing how I did mine.

[California Dreamin]

Strip down and examine both front and rear, evaluate what you need and stick with a 'brand' name.
Euro Car Parts PAGID brand and pretty good, ATE were fitted as OEM on many, Brembo are quality, New boy 'BOSCH' seem to be pretty good as well (relatively new into brake supply..compared to the others).

Bearings...all depends on whether you can strip/examine and have the space to have the vehicle in bits for a couple of days...obviously you can just order the whole lot but that gets pretty wasteful if half the bits are serviceable and can be re-used.
Don't forget: inner bearing seals, outer locking nuts (on the front stub axles), rear spring fitting kit (if needed) high melting point bearing grease.

Martin

[Middle29]

Thanks for replies. I agree, won't change anything that's working or can be serviced ok, just improve the braking a bit, I took it for a spin tonight & I've got a little more used to them but they could defo be a bit better so might be something easier.

Space & time might be a problem without some planning so will drop a line to guy I bought it from see if he has any idea and take a look at the easy bits at the weekend without anything too drastic just yet, then plan what's next...

Here's my new van - The last van was 15 years ago & a home conversion transporter from an old couple with a plastic lions head on the front so this is an improvement!

camper.jpg

Cheers all.

[California Dreamin]

Nice Van...you've spent some money there!

Same as mine apart from the stripes.

It sounds like the front disc's and pads will need changing (because of the step you described) and its always advisable to knock off the backs and check the shoes/wheel cylinders and drums for excessive wear. I will also state the obvious and say, this is an older van with small 'solid' brake disc's and single leading rear drum setup....reasonably good in the day but not really comparable to modern brakes. I'm only saying this to escape the 'I've spent all this money but they just feel the same' ...reply, that might appear in a weeks time.

If I'm honest, there are often big gains (mostly in brake feel) by adjusting up the rears correctly as they are all too often adjusted incorrectly (on the cables and not at the shoes as they should be) but you need to do the basic condition checks first.

Martin

[pionte]

looks a really nice van

You can slightly upgrade the discs and pads ( this is the route I have taken ) whether they are worth the extra money over standard , I wont know for a while ...
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/t ... -late.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ELVIS]

I know lots of us use Brickwerks. If you do decide to shop elsewhere, the only thing I would say is buy your wheel bearings from Brickwerks.

GSF VTEC brand for one , are absolute shocking quality and have seen them only last one MOT.

[Middle29]

Thanks, I'm hoping it will be a keeper. It was 10 mins down the road so paid a lot more than I originally planned to, but it saved me driving around the country looking at lots which would be expensive & tricky for me & It had pretty much everything I wanted, new engine, bodywork done, westy & pop top etc, so hopefully will be great for my family & pay me back.

I think I'll go brickwerks then. I'm not expecting modern brakes but I'm sure stopping power could be a bit better. It got through MOT as it is