Brakes...

[pickle2000]

I have currently got a Mk1 Nova merit, and the brakes could really do with upgrading. I would like to upgrade the full brakes (at the front), and not just buy new pads. I have heard that Astra 16v brakes are good, and will fit (I have 15" alloys on)..... but which bits would I need, and is it an easy conversion?
Would I just be better to go and buy new brakes - if so what would you recommend??
I know nothing about this so any information will help....

Cheers
Pickle

[whitey]

Check out www.topbuzz.co.uk I'm pretty sure that there is a guide there!

GTE brakes will do unless you are planning to put on guge wheels and a huge engine! Then look at uprated discs etc!

[rysmee]

you'll find some ate style(astra 16v/later astras and cav's) calipers in your scrappy for 10-20 quid each so its not worth getting gte/ gsi brakes.. they only sieze up anyway.

[pickle2000]

OK, so what do I need to get....
calipers,
pads,
discs,
new brake servo ??

Can I get all of these from an astra 16v, or Cav?? How much would I expect to pay..?

[Ben (lurk75)]

I think your servo should be ok. I have a GSi with uprated discs and pads and this is fine never seen the need for the 16v ones.

[Freak]

Whoever said astra spec brakes arent worth it unless poer increse etc is wrong.
personally i can feel you can never have too much braking power.

Astra 16v spec stuff will go on so easy its stupid not to do it.

Calipers can be bought for a fiver each, reseal kits ?14 the pair, pads ?24 from vaux and discs from partco ?10 each.
Best money you can spend on your nova.
Honestly.
You will be amazed at how crap they were before you fitted them.

[pickle2000]

Cheers for your advice on putting new brakes on my Nova, and think the same - you should never compromise on safety.
The only problem is that I am a complete novice when it comes to anything mechanical.... can you please direct me to where I should get the parts from.

calipers - second hand?
pads - new from vaux (do you know a part no.)
discs - from partco (have you got any contact details and part no.)
what is a 'reseal kit' for?

Cheers

[Chris LR]

I will adnmit that standard brakes can be dangerous, I am considering upgrading mine, But I'm undecided.

[ade]

If (like me) your cars on standard brakes (mine was a 1.2 now has a 1.4 engine in it) then bigger brakes are better.

You will need

replacement calipers (GSi ones are good - but bigger quicker stopping power can be had from the 16v boyz (astra, cav etc) - just need to watch clearence on yer alloys)
replacement pads for calipers
replacement discs for calipers
brake fluid and necessary tools to bleed them etc...
Most upgrades will bolt on with no probs (GSi etc are designed for the car)
Some say you should get braided hoses to cope with extra pressure (dunno about this)
Some say you should get a bigger servo to cope with extra fluid - a bigger servoi will effectively feed more brake fluid to the brake cylinder meaning you dont have to push down as far to make then grip (this can however lead to you braking sharoply on the slightest tap of the brakes) - but you can get away with the standard one - its up to you.

I dunno how to fit them (I'll be doing mine shortly) but I'm sure there are some guides about. Check Mikes Nova-land.com site out.

Obviously make sure you are 100% confident before doing it - your brakes are your life!

Ade
:roll:

[rysmee]

easiest thing to do is get on the phone to vpsc - http://www.vpsc.co.uk/,
they'll send you everything you need (calipers/discs(used)/pads(used)) for around 100, and its up to you whether to get new discs and pads - i didn't and they worked fine until they wore down to the minimum. i know everyone will say other wise but as long as your keeping old discs and pads together it shouldn't really matter.
changing them is straight forward - as said before just look on topbuzz.co.uk. its litterally 2 ten mm allenkey bolts that hold the caliper on, make sure you get a good allen key or you'll end up with mashed hands or mashed allen key. they are tight obviously!
a seal kit is only needed if your going to strip the calipers down - dont need to do if you get from reputable place like vpsc. i think they offer 3 month warranty on parts anyway.
brake servo is worth doing - bout 30-40 from vpsc for a gte/gsi one, will make the 'feel' of the brakes more powerful eg-less effort needed to stop as it has a bigger daimeter. however, its a bitch to get in as you have to bend the brakes way more than you think they can actually bend!
well... thats all you should need to know.. now get on the phone and spend some money!

[rysmee]

its a bitch to get in as you have to bend the brakes way more than you think they can actually bend!
i meant brake lines. - unless you change master cylinder as well (bit where brake lines go into) but i didn't bother - if it aint broke dont fix it!

[pickle2000]

Excellent, thanks for your help rysmee....
I have just phoned them up and order the calipers, pads and disks. Should be getting them wed this week.... cheers.

I have another slight prob at the moment though....
The reason why I want to upgrade my brakes is because they are getting a tad sloppy, and I want to improve the stopping power.... now on the way to work today there is something really strange. The car wouldn't accelerate very well, then it would seem to work properly. I have found that the front right brake pad is sticking, hence causing the car to drive like its got the brakes on. I got out of the car, and the front right wheel smelt horrible, was mega hot and had a touch of smoke coming off it. There was also a bit of black liquid running down the inside of my alloy....
Now I am not going to get my new brakes till wednesday.... what can I do until then with the old brakes, apart from not using the car. Would this be a problem with the discs, or would this be caused by the servo, hoses, etc?

Cheers
Pickle

[Aragorn]

prolly a sticking slider on the caliper

u could try manging it with a hammer or if that fails u'll need to strip down the caliper and grease up the sliders

prolly not worth the effort for 3 days but i wouldnt drive the car like that

the heat will enbd up damaging summat else like the wheel bearings or CV joints or possibly even the alloys

u could maybe even try some spray lube on the sliders (like WD40) but i dunno about that - they are brakes and u dont really want to be oiling em up :D

[pickle2000]

Just had the AA man to come and have a look at it, and he said that it was the caliper which was battered. It is constantly pushing the pads onto the disc which is causing it to overheat. He recommended that I didn't drive it since it could 'lockup' at any time, so I have got to leave it at work tonight.... :( ... and get my woman to provide a taxi service....:lol:
Gonna get it towed to a garage when I get these new 16v brake bits....

Cheers for all the help lads....
Pickle