Changing Drums To Disc's

1. SaxoKid95 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2013 London Posts: 171 Citroen Saxo 1.1 Desire

   #1 21st December 2013, 00:58

   Hi all
   I was thinking about changing the rears drums and coverting them to disc's on my 5 door, what would I need to do or get?
   Advise what be really appreciated.
   Many thanks
2. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #2 21st December 2013, 01:23

   You need
   
   The brake lines front under the passenger floor back, handbrake cables and disk axle calipers disks pads etc of corse and the brake compensator for non abs.
3. SaxoKid95 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2013 London Posts: 171 Citroen Saxo 1.1 Desire

   #3 21st December 2013, 09:45

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Cam You need The brake lines front under the passenger floor back, handbrake cables and disk axle calipers disks pads etc of corse and the brake compensator for non abs.

   Cheers bud is this a ebay job or a parts shop?
4. welshpug Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.

   #4 21st December 2013, 10:59

   dont bother, drums are better.
5. SaxoKid95 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2013 London Posts: 171 Citroen Saxo 1.1 Desire

   #5 22nd December 2013, 13:54

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by welshpug dont bother, drums are better.

   I dont really like the drums because you cant see how much friction material is left on the pads or what state the drum is in.
6. rick_VTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2011 Abermule, Mid Wales. Posts: 2763 Corsa Rally Car & Fiesta ST

   #6 22nd December 2013, 14:36

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by SaxoKid95 I dont really like the drums because you cant see how much friction material is left on the pads or what state the drum is in.

   
   take them apart and inspect them then like you should on a service!
7. SaxoKid95 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2013 London Posts: 171 Citroen Saxo 1.1 Desire

   #7 22nd December 2013, 14:42

   Yeah but then the brake pads cost more im not one to put my life in danger and buy cheap shitty ones but its just the thought of it, on the front its just a case of removing the caliper taking the old pads out slotting the new ones in bolting them back up and bleeding them on the back its removing the drum the pads and all the little springs thats in there its a pain in the arse.
8. welshpug Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2010 South Wales Posts: 3078 ZX 16v, 205 GTI, 309 Goodwood, 405 MI16.

   #8 22nd December 2013, 20:25

   brake shoes last a VERY long time, they are enclosed away from the elements too.
   
   mum bought a 405 12 years ago, on 170k miles its now on 318k miles and still on the same rear shoes.
9. wullvfr Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 killin,perthshire Posts: 1561 Audi a3 1.8sport,kawasaki zx9r c2,Yamaha R1 track

   #9 22nd December 2013, 20:29

   Drums are not better.
   
   if they were,cars today would favour them over discs.
10. jasonmayall Established Member Joined: Mar 2011 Birmingham Posts: 2148 Rover BRM, Rover 800 Coupe, Mk6 golf.

    #10 23rd December 2013, 13:00

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wullvfr Drums are not better. if they were,cars today would favour them over discs.

    A lot of cars today still have drums out of the factory though... if they werent safe then they would all be discs.
    
    Better in terms of having a working handbrake though
11. rick_VTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2011 Abermule, Mid Wales. Posts: 2763 Corsa Rally Car & Fiesta ST

    #11 23rd December 2013, 13:49

    drums are better in the sense they are enclosed away from the elements, and it is a simple task to change brake shoes, simply undo the nut in the centre once the wheel is off, and slide the drum off, may be abit tight if there is a lip built up on the inside of drum, bit a tap with a hammer, and there you go. if your that worried of putting them back together take a picture before you strip it apart.
    
    there is a reason that most small engine rally cars keep drums on the back, the bite from a drum and cable set up is so much better and effective than a disk/pad set up and hydraulic handbrake.
    
    and as welshpug mentioned above, you replace your shoes now and they will more than likely outlive the life of the car!
12. wullvfr Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 killin,perthshire Posts: 1561 Audi a3 1.8sport,kawasaki zx9r c2,Yamaha R1 track

    #12 23rd December 2013, 14:03

    I've replaced many brake shoes over the years especially when I worked in a fast fit place in Stirling and not once have I thought "this is easier than replacing pads"
    
    I can see the point of them being enclosed to the elements but then again its harder to see when things are going wrong and falling apart.ive came across many drums that look like they have seen much better days,I rarely see discs and pads that have been in this state.
    
    Then there is the performance factor,some say you don't need discs at the rear etc but its going to be more beneficial over drums in stopping distances and performance on track.
13. rick_VTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2011 Abermule, Mid Wales. Posts: 2763 Corsa Rally Car & Fiesta ST

    #13 23rd December 2013, 16:52

    I guess it's your own choice whatever you want to do, but from my past experience of fitting disk conversion to cars and my last rally car had disk on the back with a hydraulic handbrake, my latest rally car out brakes it and it has drums on the back and with a good clean and fresh set of shoes they have been fine for ages! And the handbrake works a hell of a lot better than the old one with disks on the back! Just my two pence worth. Yeah fair enough if your car already had rear disk then it would be silly to change it for drums but I really see no point in changing drums for disks.

    1 user thanked this post: SaxoKid95