Front brakes on the van...HELP!

**Jeff** · 09-08-2006, 01:10 AM

So, the major issue with this minivan is the front brakes are dragging. You really have to stomp on it to get it moving and it slows down to a stop as soon as you let off the throttle. So, I can either replace it with stock stuff from Autozone or I can 'upgrade' them. Right now it has 10in brakes with a 5X100 bolt pattern and drums on the rear. There was never a 4-wheel-disc mini in these days. So, my options...

1-Use my leftover brakes from that 88 Shelby Z. They are 11in rotors with a 5X100 bolt pattern. I would need to swap the whole steering knuckle over. It is a bolt up affair. The rotor is larger...but the piston in the caliper is smaller. Guys on TD.com say this might actually make the brakes less effective... thoughts?

2-Get fronts and rears from an 90 or older grand caravan (v6) with the 5X114.5 (or whatever it is) bolt pattern. These are 11in in the front and bigger drums in the back. But then I have no wheels that fit.

3-Get a K-frame from a 91+ van and use brakes off an R/T or GTC...espensive and hard to do...this would be better for down the road.

I like 1 the best. What do you all think about the smaller piston and the bigger rotor?

On an unrelated note, I just learned today from the guy I bought it from that he had just installed new KYB GR-2s on it. I know they are not the best, but they have to be better then stock. He also upgraded to the 180degree thremostat, colder plugs, and I noticed when I picked it up that it has the $100 magnacore plug wires on it :twisted:

Andy · 09-08-2006, 07:50 AM

Get pads and be done with it. You have a "few" other projects to complete. Also, option one sounds like it would require a bigger Master Cylinder to compensate for the bigger Caliper.

CaptainHenreh · 09-08-2006, 07:56 AM

Andy Wrote:Get pads and be done with it. You have a "few" other projects to complete. Also, option one sounds like it would require a bigger Master Cylinder to compensate for the bigger Caliper.

Jeff, you need to figure out exactly what is wrong with the current brakes before you go and replace them with "upgrade" parts. Just my humble opinion.

On the other hand, having a smaller caliper is going to give you a better feel with the same size master cylinder and the larger rotor will help you with brake fade.

Listen to me.

Brake fade.

On a minivan.

My Opinion: If you're not going to fix the stockers, go with the larger rotor. If you did the older 5X114.3 pattern option, there's tons of wheels out there for mad cheap.

**Jeff** · 09-08-2006, 09:47 AM

Ok, I doubt I will fix the stockers because upgrading costs less money. I also learned today from a van guru that the piston is at most 2-4mm smaller then the stock one. Thats not that big of a deal. The pad surface and rotor will be larger, and as rex said, the MC will not have to work as hard to push the smaller piston. To me that means more braking force... thoughts?

.RJ · 09-08-2006, 09:49 AM

Less braking force, slightly shorter brake pedal travel. Probably wont even notice......

Cant you just rebuild the stock calipers with new seals/pistons and a good sandblasting/cleaning for $20 per side?

Evan · 09-08-2006, 10:10 AM

If you take into account that with replacing/rebuilding the stock calipers you are getting new parts, vs. used parts with your other options, I think that stock would turn out cheaper.
Thats my vote, you dont need bigger brakes on that van, and some good street performance pads and fresh rotors will give you all the stopping power you could want.

If you are dead set against that, then #1 with some good pads is the only option that makes much sense IMO

CaptainHenreh · 09-08-2006, 10:22 AM

I would at least try to rebuild the stockers before I went and "upgraded".

If you've got compressed air, a pencil, and 15 minutes, you CAN rebuild a front single piston caliper. The easiest thing I have ever "rebuilt".

.RJ · 09-08-2006, 10:23 AM

CaptainHenreh Wrote:The easiest thing I have ever "rebuilt".

+1

Although it will take more than 15 min to clean all the crud out and blast them.

**Jeff** · 09-08-2006, 10:24 AM

Or I can just get Autozone remans for $17.99 a side...

.RJ · 09-08-2006, 10:26 AM

TurboOmni08 Wrote:Or I can just get Autozone remans for $17.99 a side...

How is that more expensive than an upgrade?

Evan · 09-08-2006, 10:49 AM

.RJ Wrote:
TurboOmni08 Wrote:Or I can just get Autozone remans for $17.99 a side...

How is that more expensive than an upgrade?

he already has parts for #1

I would still do autozone remans and good pads

.RJ · 09-08-2006, 10:51 AM

Evan Wrote:he already has parts for #1

Not if those parts are busted and need rebuild....

**Jeff** · 09-08-2006, 03:01 PM

I don't think they are. Sylvia is bringing them down to me tonight, I will look them over and decide what I want 2 do.

Maengelito · 09-08-2006, 03:43 PM

well, if they're dragging, obviously something is busted, most likely seized. if the autozone remans are $18, it'd be silly to not get those at that price. though it doesnt hurt to upgrade, it sounds like more of a PITA than <$40 and an hour or two of labor. but then again, we are talking about jeff... Wink

**Jeff** · 09-08-2006, 10:26 PM

OK, I did the reman van calipers and pads but I used the crossdrilled rotors I had from the Lebaron/Daytona brakes. Turns out they were actually 10in also. I don't know how that worked out. The rotors were almost the same. The only difference was the overall height of the rotor, when laid flat on a table and measure to the outside face of where the lugs pass though was 1/8 in difference. Everything bolted in and worked so I am gonna assume its ok...

.RJ · 09-08-2006, 10:43 PM

If the rotor offset is different, the caliper wont be centered on the rotor...

**Jeff** · 09-09-2006, 03:45 PM

got Autozone replacement rotors...

**Jeff** · 09-10-2006, 09:39 AM

TurboOmni08 Wrote:got Autozone replacement rotors...

Now these measure out EXACTLY the same as the drilled ones...fuck it...keeping the bling.

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