which is better: early or late brakes?

[stigma]

So I have early brakes on the van and i wonder if its worth upgrading to late brake setup? thanks

[bigherb]

They both do the job expected of them.

[stigma]

so the late brakes are not improvement over early ones?

[ajsimmo]

No, not worth the hassle.

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[stigma]

Ha thats interesting, I have looked at thicker disk and bigger pads and it seem to me that they may provide better service. Good to know. Thanks

[boatbuilder]

You could swap your brake booster for a bmw one. Easy enough upgrade and makes your pedal a bit easier to push down.

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[California Dreamin]

I've always assumed the later setup as being better because the early twin piston setup uses smaller rectangular pads which work harder having a smaller surface area (don't last as long?) compared to the floating single piston arrangement using larger crescent shaped pads.
Albeit, counter intuitive given that multi-piston calipers would normally be regarded as better performing. Those regularly driving both would know better and might comment.

Martin

[stigma]

Thats what I was thinking, brake pads are bigger and disk is thicker.

[bigherb]

Brake force is determined by the diameter of the discs, the clamping force and the type of materials used. Surface area plays no part apart from the service life of the materials. As both types are quite capable of locking the front wheels (when it is all over for the brakes and you are then just relying on how good your tyres are) which is better is really academic unless you do mega miles a year then the later longer life pads are a benefit.
It more important to use good quality components the difference between brake pad makers can be quite noticeable. Personally I only use TRW pads and definitely not JP group.

For reference early discs are 287mm diameter x 13mm later discs are 258 x 16.

[stigma]

thanks

[ajsimmo]

Well to me the nub of the op's question, as I read it, (despite the title) was not necessarily which was better, but was it worth going to the trouble of swapping everything from early to late. I say not, because earlies work perfectly well if maintained. They suffer more with seized pistons, and uneven wear, if allowed to. The lates can suffer with seized slide pins, creating a similar result of uneven pad/disk wear and overheating. I agree with bigherb, and I'd stick with what you've got and make sure they're kept free and clean, with good quality pads and disks. Then they're just as good, in that they're capable of doing the job well.

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[Mr Bean]

Of more relevance is the gap between the brain and the foot
CS