Which disk brake conversion is the best?

[AndyPap]

Firstly, let me appologise if you start seeing my name a lot but I'm in the process of buying a Minor and have loads of questions!

The first thing I want to do to the car is fit a disk brake kit. Having read other threads on the subject, I've seen people's views on the Owen Burton and JLH products, but I wondered if anyone had any experience of any of the other kits out there such as MM Centre (B'ham), Bull Motif etc? I'm looking for something that bolts straight on and does a good job (and that'll leave me enough money to do all the other jobs I want to do!)

Anyone got any advice for a moggy novice?

Thanks

Andy

[bigginger]

I've fitted one or two from Charlie Ware's in Bath. Pretty simple to fit, Marina based and more than adequate for the job, One disadvantage is that you need to drill out bigger holes in the kingpin down by the stub axle to mount them, but if that doesn't worry you... they're only a tiny bit bigger.
No need to apologise, BTW, and good luck with the car - may I just say that I entirely agree that disc brakes are a priority!

[bmcecosse]

My Wolseley 9" drum conversion works excellently ! Surely with a Marina conversion you end up with horrible Marina wheels ? And do you not also need to pull the master cylinder to bits - to remove a seal ? How heavy is the pedal with the Marina conversion - and no servo ??

[bigginger]

Nope, you get re-drilled new hubs so you can fit Marina or Moggy wheels. Yes, you need to remove a seal from the M/C, that's true of all disc conversions. Pedal is fine with no servo, for some reason it seems slightly easier to lock the wheels with no servo, think I'll refit one.

[bmcecosse]

Sounds expensive ! BTW - are Marinas know as Maggys ??

[bigginger]

Not that I've heard -why? Are Morgans known as Morgys?
a

[Pyoor_Kate]

I've also got the Marina disk conversion - I didn't fit it though so I can't comment on that.

It certainly stops the car very effectively, but I will say I've had and still suffer from a sticky caliper and had an unevenly worn disk (and hence brake judder - with the concomittent need to replace the disk ). This doesn't seem to be wildly uncommon.

I dunno how the escort / ford based set up compares, but I do ponder that if it shares parts off a more modern car they might be easier to get for longer (I do wonder how long I'm going to be able to get marina pads and disks when needed...).

[Handy]

I have found that the standard drum brakes are OK so long as you don't need to stop sharply at high speeds. This is where common sense prevails, just leave a bigger gap between yourself and the car in front and you should be OK.
Regularly remove your front wheels and check the brake adjustment. I do mine once a month regardless of mileage, it also makes it easier to grease the trunnions!

Regards,
Ian

[NZJLY]

I've read that a booster makes them stop a lot better I have the unit out of a 85 Ford laser that I may try fitting at some stage (booster sits on the fire wall). Anyone try to do this before?

And to be honest - it is still in the car - but the steering column is out cause I heard that it fits in a morrie

John

[Pyoor_Kate]

This is where common sense prevails, just leave a bigger gap between yourself and the car in front and you should be OK.

Common sense can prevail all you want, but when you have someone pull out in front of you, or a kid dash across the street unexpectedly (although these days I kind of expect them to and then am suprised if they don't) - or indeed some adult who decides that the nice cuddly fronted Morris Minor must be travelling slowly because it's old, so they'll step out in front of it... well, then disk brakes really do do their stuff.

That and it's one less thing to service every time. Check and oh, they're fine. The mog's so light that after 20k miles they're still not due replacement.

[Stig]

Worth checking the pads still move freely at each service though, or the first time you know there's a problem is when the MOT man fails it on uneven disc wear and you end up replacing the discs...

[bigginger]

Can anyone who's fitted one of the Ford based kits comment? I'd like to hear how they are - and in particular *why* you guys rate the JLH kits so highly. I'm pondering getting one, but the only comment I can find is "better engineered" - How? What's different? What makes them so good?

[Cam]

Right well, drum brakes that work properly are absolutely fine and will lock up the same as discs in an emergency. The differene is that they overheat VERY easily compared to discs, so if you pootle about then drums are fine.

Bmcecosse's Wolsely 9" discs are a good upgrade if you don't want the expense of discs as a new set will cost you over £350 if you want the Ford setup.

I have fitted the Owen Burton Ford setup (B'ham & Bath Minor centre) and had nothing but trouble with them. I did not like the aluminium hubs, but they were OK for about 3 years on the car with some harsh driving. The problem I had was continual warped discs. I even bought some discs from JLH and tried them on the B'ham hubs but they warped again! In the end I just got REALLY fed up with it and bought a JLH complete kit (minus the calipers as they are the same).

The difference in quality is staggering, there is absolutely no comparisson at all. OK, the JLH kit is SLIGHTLY more expensive but not THAT much, but you get so much more quality for your money.

Also, with the JLH kit you don't need to drill your stub axles out either, it simply bolts on!

After fitting (and almost 12 months) they perform perfectly with no warping, judder or any defects. I am really pleased with them and can say that they are superb.

At the end of the day, if you drive your Minor hard then a brake upgrade is advisable. If it's got a bigger engine and you drive it hard then go for the Ford vented disc setup.

If you like a soft feel pedal and an easy brake pedal then fit a servo, if you like a hard brake pedal then don't.

[Handy]

I agree with Cam that brake fade can be a problem. I tend to do most driving around town or on the A500 where I tend to pootle along at 55mph anyway as I like to show my car a degree of mechanical sympathy.
My worst problem is the dodgy Korean crossplies fitted by a previous owner which skate around in the wet.
I am contemplating a set of radials but can't kame up my mind whether or not to fit a set of Minilites from ESM.

Ian

[bmcecosse]

Even the old 7" drums will lock the wheels for an emergency stop - so that is not an arguement. But yes, brake fade is the big problem even with the 8" drums, although I suspect the camel **** brake linings these days are not as good as the old asbestos ones!! I have used Wolseley 9" DRUMS 40 years ago and they were a huge improvement on the Minor I used for rallying. Servo is for wimps !! Does NOT improve the braking - in fact - encourages false sense of security - if the brakes fade then NO amount of pushing will make them work.

And Morgans are known as Moggies !!

[bigginger]

... but there's no "I" in Morgan...
a

[Onne]

And Morgans are known as Moggies !!

I really thought we ended this utterly useless discussion? Or am I rude now?

Please let everyone choose for themselves, it's kinda getting on my nerves now

[bigginger]

It does rather more than "get on my nerves", but seconded, Omne, I'll do my best to treat it with the contempt it deserves and not reply to it in future, OK?

[Onne]

I don't mind, lets just take all the fun out of it!

[Cam]

Yes, Morgans ARE called Moggies as are cats and Morris Minors....... and probably the odd few other things too.

Are we going to have this repeated constantly???