Upgrading Brakes

[Beddo88]

Hi all,

Not sure if this should be in the technical section, but as it's just an enquiry thought I'd pop it up in here.

Obviously we're all aware of how inadequate the standard brakes are on a rocco, but having just moved from a car with an amazing brake setup (don't laugh, but it's a nissan cherry!) to the scirocco, I feel I need to do some serious improving. So.. any tips on the below:

Best way to bleed the brakes (sequence wise to limit air bubbles)
Improving the standard setup - I have 2 new rear cylinders to fit
Upgrading master cylinder?
Fitting larger discs - how easy is it to do?
Braided hoses - are there kits available?

I currently have quite alot of play in the pedal before any actual braking takes place, and when it does it requires a fair bit of force. All of the current gear is standard, although there are new pads & discs front, and new shoes rear.

Hope someone can help clarify a thing or two for me, the roads in the lake district demand slightly more braking prowess than my suburbs!

[stu.gtx]

Hi,

When I bled mine I did furthest away from reservoir - nearest - I think that's standard practice.
Goodridge braided hoses - ebay £38. You might find it easier to drop the back axle when doing the rears.
When you're doing the rear cylinders make sure you adjust the rear shoes up as that can cause long pedal movement.
I've never upgraded a master cylinder so can't comment on that.
I do have some callipers from a Mk3 golf GTi and some brackets from just caddy forum that allow fitment of g60 (280mm) discs but haven't fitted them yet. I'm hoping that'll make a big difference to my brakes.

[mazellann]

I've done various different brake upgrades, eg: 280mm fronts, rear discs, 300mm fronts with 4 pots, but the best upgrade i found was the 9" servo and 22mm master cylinder!
Even with standard front brakes i found this was the best upgrade!!

cheers

[Nate]

braided hose kit from gsf, decent pads (not ebc), new brake fluid. bleed plenty thru each corner if it not been done for ages. then adjust up the rear brakes and cross linkage.

this is all i've ever needed to do to get a rocco to stop well. yes, there isn't as much servo assistance as a modern car, but if you want to drive a modern car go buy a vectra it'll still let you outbrake most stuff. also bear in mind that you will never stop quickly if your car is fitted with ditchfinder tyres. tyres are part of the braking system too

[Beddo88]

Vectra?! No no, my Nissan Cherry's way better :D

Off to halfords tomorrow for brake fluid (bought a voucher for xmas) but to clarify, is there alot of difference in brake fluids? I have always assumed DOT4 was DOT4, unless you're racing and it needs extreme temp ranges. Nate, I still have those two rear cylinders I bought from you last year!! Those should be going on also!

And couldn't agree more on the tyres, I'm running a pair of Dunlop SportResponse on the front of mine at the moment, and I have to say they are rather good! Regarding the cross linkage, is there a bushes kit for this? I don't think they've been touched since along time before I've owned the car!

[thebrief_1979]

What cars did a 22mm master cylinder come on and is it a straight swap
Also does a gt2 have a 9 inch servo anyway

[Ryan]

What cars did a 22mm master cylinder come on and is it a straight swap
Also does a gt2 have a 9 inch servo anyway

I don't think any of the 8v roccos came with the 9" servo (the 16v's may have had them?).
Best bet is to raid a late mk 2 Golf GTi (1991/1992) - even the 8v's had them.
New reservoir from the dealer and master cylynder from GSF.
As for a straight swap - some have had problems with the length of the arm (not sure if this is the correct terminology?) from the servo - but this can be modded.

[Beddo88]

As the man has helped me many times before, I'm trusting Nate on this one! Until I've fixed up those bits and I still want more obviously.. ;)

Well as it appears I'll more than likely be taking the Rocco on this summers trans-Euro road trip including the alps the next step after properly sorting the rear drums (got new adjusters & a new set of springs to fit & slave cylinders), brake lines, and properly bleeding the system, will be to upgrade the master cylinder, maybe the servo.

I must admit, the best bit of my Nissan is the feel you get from the brakes, allows you to get really close to the lock-up point and stop the slip with minimal movement. Something the current *masses of movement* setup on my rocco doesn't allow. This is what I'm mostly trying to sort, not the actual force I need to put into it.

[ghost123uk]

Watching this as our 85 GTS does not have good brakes at the front (rear is OK), despite new Pagit pads and disks. Funny because our 92 GTII, although standard has pretty good brakes

Shame this forum does not have a "sticky topic" facility so very popular topics like this can stay at the top of the section.

I will be looking at fitting the late MKII Golf servo and master cylinder as soon as the weather improves.

As I say, watching this topic for further (cheap-ish) ideas :)

[Bonusrocco]

Just an aside, before you put those brackets on for the g60 brakes, measure them up for the good folks here?? http://www.sciroccoregisterforum.co.uk/ ... 10&t=10560
The salmon is quick but the bear is wise

[Beddo88]

Ghost, sorry to say the weather up here is pretty dam horrendous at the moment, and I don't have a driveway or garage to work on it in at the moment! :( SO it may be some time for an update... Just FYI