Rear Disc Brake Remorse

[rklein71]

Is anyone out there having rear disc brake conversion remorse. The Cadillac Eldorado calipers are a major pain in the butt. The bleeders are not located on the top, the adjustment for the parking brake is very difficult. Kind of wished I had stayed with rear drums.

 

[pschlosser]

I, too, have heard more stories of regret than joy putting rear disc on the e-body (and b-body)

four disc, all-around, seems cool and modern. but in terms of braking force, it isn't warranted. Unless you're towing a boat, or something.

 

[don selleck]

Yep I have done it, never again unless I'm building a 200mph car, drums are fine for the rear in any application I plan on using. I did a willwood set, $$$ they worked fine but for the money, not really worth it.

 

[heminut]

Knowing that the rear brakes don't do near as much as the front brakes, I never considered going to the expense of swapping. I did source the parts to go to the bigger 11" drum brakes from the salvage yard and upgraded to the bigger drum brakes. I also put in an adjustable proportioning valve.

 

[ERAT340]

Why the hell are ya adapting GM hardware on ya mopar??

 

[pschlosser]

oh, behave.

 

[Xcudame]

Some of the rear disc brakes kits for the 8 3/4 use Cadillac calipers as they have a nifty built in parking brake. But they cause other problems as well. Drums in the rear work just fine for me! And remember the first Dodge Daytona to go 200+ mph had drums in the rear!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Many systems eliminate the tapered roller brgs & force the use of green brgs which is a Huge NO for me , they can interfere with the rear sway bar in many cases And as above are not really warranted unless you are on the brakes hard a lot such as autocross .
The first place I would look is Scarebird using cheap parts to create a system or Dr Diff for more functional rear disc pkgs if you want rear disc .

 

[Challenger RTA]

From another post.

The Wooden Roller coaster feel can be reduced with air shocks and extensions can be placed on the top side of shock and reduce air pressure. Worked for me did a lot of highway driving. How ever it does change front end alignment a little bit. When done with suspension (put the big weenies on 11/16 tie rod) steering,brakes(There is so much more to be gained with larger brakes on the front 11 3/4" rotors.Or bigger! Best money ever spent.(70-80% of stopping power comes from the front).ABS rear would be the most beneficial.( Articular using Dakota rear ABS system and a Ford 8.8 tone ring.)I have had 2 1/2 sets of hens teeth for decades and yet to put them on because of Green bearing. I would have thunk there would have been a fix for that by now?I agree the rear disc look good if you can see them.and other factors easier to maintain and cool off quicker in racing conditions. Drum brakes done right last 100k miles.When the Parking brake is set the adjuster adjust the rear drums.// I would have it Aligned. Aligned with the stance you want. check air pressure and bumper height for reference for street or strip. A little more on pass side helps with hooking up on track.If you have two singles shocks.//Vibration at high speeds. Could be a number of things U joints. drive shaft splines worn,loose saddle or stripped.Weight has fallen of drive shaft. Worn,broke loose shocks steering components box rods,bearings,bushings.Bent rim tire has busted belt.Tires worn and out of balance?// The previous items are of safety concern that should be coincided. Just my opinion and maybe others. There are knowledgeable individuals here. I wounder what the combined experience is of the members? I understand personal preference rules over all.Game Set and Match! I didn't want to touch the rear.that could touchy and I would get slapped!!!

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[Mr Cuda]

What about the jeep grand cherokee (93-98) rear disc?
The caliper mount is a backing plate with inside rotor park brake.
Standard bolt pattern, and regular park cables. Bolt on to 8 1/4" and 9 1/4"
Some mods for 8 3/4.

 

[Katfish]

Anyone ever measure the weight savings?
How much heavier are drums, 5lbs per side?

 

[pschlosser]

Anyone ever measure the weight savings?
How much heavier are drums, 5lbs per side?

I think so. I suspect it's all hearsay and unconfirmed, but the talk among collegues, is OEM drum brakes are about 10 pounds heavier than front disc brakes, but aluminum drums (for those crazy enough to use them) are said to be lighter.

 

[Heywodja]

I got my kit from. www.doctordiff.com. No complaints and it works like a champ.

 

[moparleo]

No practical benefit. I think guys just want to be able to say they have rear disc or want the rotors to show behind the wheel openings for some type of bragging rights.
Use quality parts always with safety items.
The brakes are the most important system on your car.
If they fail to work properly the whole car and your life could be at risk.
Upgrade the front pad/rotors/brake hoses. If you want to improve braking performance.
Keep the rear brakes in proper adjustment and check the brake fluid moisture level periodically and replace the brake fluid as needed.
A properly maintained car is a happy car and fewer problems for the owner.
And FYI the tires are considered the most critical part of the braking system.
Ultimately it is the traction of the tires that will stop the car as they are the only connection between your car and the road surface, especially since you don't have ABS on it.

 

[pschlosser]

and check the brake fluid moisture level periodically

I like this wording.

 

[Xcudame]

In crappy DOT 3 brake fluid you can get moisture in it! Use DOT 5 and no problems even if it gets on your paint!

 

[Bret Schneider]

Just one man's opinion, but as someone who's serviced drum brakes over the years on cars, trucks, trailers, and bikes, I firmly believe the world would be a better place without them.

 

[Xcudame]

@Bret Schneider I would never disagree with you as to the ease of working on disc compared to drums, but on the rear of our cars (and trucks) that have drum brakes, drum brakes are the cheaper and more efficient way to go expense wise.

 

[Old B5]

Worst mistake I made was putting rear disc conversion on my car. Front conversion was not that bad. I got a complete kit from right stuff detailing and they are a terrible company.
As others have said I thought it sounded cool to say I have 4 wheel discs. Never again. Live and learn.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Just one man's opinion, but as someone who's serviced drum brakes over the years on cars, trucks, trailers, and bikes, I firmly believe the world would be a better place without them.

@Bret Schneider I would never disagree with you as to the ease of working on disc compared to drums, but on the rear of our cars (and trucks) that have drum brakes, drum brakes are the cheaper and more efficient way to go expense wise.

Drums rear
I have to say I agree to disagree or something to that effect. That is if that makes sense. I have to say rear drum brakes last a long time 50k with no problem. Slap on an other set and maybe some hardware.Than other 50k. I have put 100k on a set of shoes, there might have been not much left but they worked. Only a few times I took notice to the one down fall of drums is when their wet. The braking ability was reduced. But in a very short time maybe a minute if that they dry out.

Disc rear
I think it is overkill. Yes they cool off quicker, They dry off almost right away. Have more clamping force when braking? Is it need on the rear? Yes very simple to change pads. Here again 50k if you feel like it. then at 100k.

Why back when. I got a few set of rear disc off an Imperial.I was going to do the swap. I just didn't do it. mostly because of the bearing. Believe me I scoured the catalogs for bearing replacement.
In compassion. It seems the disc setup has more weight then drums. The drums on a Tri axle and a bus are a but heavy. For they are heavy duty.

My experience of drums and rotors.
About that time I was working in a NAPA store. First machine shop I worked in there where two of us. We were fairly knowledgeable and skilled. Turning drums and rotors while cutting vale seats, guides or surfacing a head all at the same time. One would start it and if need be the other would catch the finish. I't's like we share the same mind. By chance we were both former USN electrician mates. I was on a Destroy and he worked on helos.

Case and point.
I think if a manufacture seen the need rear disc on vehicles it would have been the norm. Disc brakes are not a new thing. And I'm sure they used the cheap way out.
Then the weight. A drum, wheel cylinder,hardware and backing plate weigh less then a drum rotor combo, caliper and and mounting bracket.
Having driving decades and un countless miles. Most of the time at least 75 miles a day one way to work. At times 150.4 miles one way for months. Then as need 202 miles one way in a day and back. Then work 10-12 hours!

The point being I had no problems Rear drum or disk brakes of an un alter brake system. I have smoke a number of front pads avoiding Deer and Smoky the Bear. There was no problem with rear ever.

The only upgrade I see as a benefit on the any car are rear ABS. If you don't know how to use brakes you shouldn't be driving.
There have been two times I have had 4 wheel ABS kick in was on ice. It didn't give me the control where I wanted to go. I still didn't end up in the ditch.

I trained my son when he had his drivers permit. Explained 4wd will get you going but you have to be able to stop. When winter came maybe half summer tread or less. Made him put new pads on, but still could have been bleed. Needed double tapped to bring pedal up. I always reminder him when I was with him and before he left. Double tap and watch out for the other guy. He still does it.