AU stopping power!!

**Stav** · 29-09-2005, 06:19 PM

Can anyone make suggestions for brakes on the au 1 wagon.I cant stop the car quickly.Its got me worried. The abs seems to let the car roll to far forward.Any help is welcome..it is a bit scary.

xr8ute · 29-09-2005, 06:36 PM

Time for better rubber Stav...those 205's are at their limit. Firm up the suspension too, it will stop the front end from 'diving', and transfer that energy to brakes/tyres instead.

Change your brake fluid every 12 months, and fit better pads i.e. Ferodo TD2000, Bendix Performax and so on...

Then if you rotors are getting chewed out too quick, swap in some DBA standard (the cost between std and slotted is not worth it IMO).

**Stav** · 29-09-2005, 06:39 PM

At 60 kmph and no throttle I jumped onto the brakes and it travelled for another 1.5 metres!! It didnt stop!??? Abs kicked in and no stop?

JC · 29-09-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

At 60 kmph and no throttle I jumped onto the brakes and it travelled for another 1.5 metres!! It didnt stop!??? Abs kicked in and no stop?

Your brakes are not what worries me - it's the fact that you expect the car to pull up from 60 in less than 1.5m!? If you were stopped and then jumped on the brakes and it travelled 1.5m, I would be worried, but the fact that you were mving at 60, means that braking distance is around 20m.

Get the DBA slotteds, with Ferodo Pads on the front only and you will notice a huge difference. Do the backs as well, and the brakes are improved slightly again, but not as much as doing the fronts.

DBA or RDA slooted rotors range from around $100 - 130 per corner. Ferodo pads are around $130 a set (front and rear), so for around $650, you will greatly increase your braking ability. Based on those prices though, the $1k package from FTG Auto Salvage sounds like the go.

**Stav** · 29-09-2005, 11:59 PM

the salvage does sound good.Dba front slotted rotors have been recommended to me by someone already and so to dba pads.Sure beats not being able to stop if a kid or stupid driver decides that they want to be on the news that night. I think safety is paramount in my mind.....it hurts being hit by 2 trucks.

Racecraft · 29-09-2005, 06:58 PM

better tyres for starters, then look at some good pads and rotors.. No use doing the pads and rotors if the tyres are going to let go first

Kryton · 29-09-2005, 07:14 PM

EBC greenstuff is gonna help a bit.

29-09-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

EBC greenstuff is gonna help a bit.

can you get them for the AU

Kryton · 29-09-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampy

can you get them for the AU

yep. had them on mine and they were great. they dont need to 'warm up' like everyone carries on about, just use them as you normally would and you will be stopping before you know it.

FTGAutosalvage · 29-09-2005, 08:55 PM

just do the upgrade to AU2 brakes . much better twin piston calipers , larger rotors ect.

or we have a tickford brake upgrade for a series 1 for $1000

**Stav** · 29-09-2005, 09:34 PM

What differences are in the tickford brakes? Is it a matter of just doing discs /pads and calipers? I can do this my self if it does.

What does the au2 brake job entail...? Do they just bolt on. My mods are working great but I am afraid of the throttle due to the lack of stopping power.

santoitaliano · 29-09-2005, 08:06 PM

okay...

change your pads to "Bendix Ultimate"
make a load of dust, but will allow you to stop on a ten cent piece...

Moya · 30-09-2005, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santoitaliano

okay...

change your pads to "Bendix Ultimate"
make a load of dust, but will allow you to stop on a ten cent piece...

Don't forget the brake squeel you'll also get

:

santoitaliano · 01-10-2005, 06:20 PM

won't squeal if you put a bit of grease on the caliper where the pad travels horizontally...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moya

Don't forget the brake squeel you'll also get

:

sickxr · 30-09-2005, 01:20 PM

About 2 weeks ago i put in some front DBA slotted rotors and Bendix Ultimate pads in my AU2 XR. They work wonders.... the only thing is all the break dust they make. I got them from repco on a trade account for only $320.

buickman · 30-09-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickxr

About 2 weeks ago i put in some front DBA slotted rotors and Bendix Ultimate pads in my AU2 XR. They work wonders.... the only thing is all the break dust they make. I got them from repco on a trade account for only $320.

I have used the ultimates . Besides the dust problem they chewed through the front rotors quick. I now use bendix advance which leaves hardly any dust & does not wreck the rotor so quick & still pulls up well. But I have IRS, Yokohama C drive 17" tyres & lowered springs with sportrider struts which help a lot in handeling & stopping.

Some guys spend money on performance on the engine to go faster only to leave the car with poor braking & nearly unroadworthy or secondhand tyres & stock suspension which are the main parts on saftey.

buickman

**Mechan1k** · 30-09-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

I have used the ultimates . Besides the dust problem they chewed through the front rotors quick. I now use bendix advance which leaves hardly any dust & does not wreck the rotor so quick & still pulls up well. But I have IRS, Yokohama C drive 17" tyres & lowered springs with sportrider struts which help a lot in handeling & stopping.

Some guys spend money on performance on the engine to go faster only to leave the car with poor braking & nearly unroadworthy or secondhand tyres & stock suspension which are the main parts on saftey.

buickman

That's why I am upgrading the suspension and brakes first ... I have already chucked on the 17" Territory wheels (heavy though ... but help with traction ... but loss in acceleration) with rubber.

I am lowering the ute 1.5" very soon ... have all the necessary parts to install (inc. new lower leaves with stronger 2nd stage for load carrying) ... got my coils made up for the front with shorter gas shocks as well.

Next big thing for me is the brakes.

THEN ... I'll look at increased power.

Plus I NEED pretty decent brakes for work anyway ... I am finding the AUII twin-piston stock brakes are only just capable for my work ... ONLY JUST.

**Stav** · 30-09-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

I have used the ultimates . Besides the dust problem they chewed through the front rotors quick. I now use bendix advance which leaves hardly any dust & does not wreck the rotor so quick & still pulls up well. But I have IRS, Yokohama C drive 17" tyres & lowered springs with sportrider struts which help a lot in handeling & stopping.

Some guys spend money on performance on the engine to go faster only to leave the car with poor braking & nearly unroadworthy or secondhand tyres & stock suspension which are the main parts on saftey.

buickman

Each mod in its time mate.I think that its good that I am focusing on this now and being aware of the danger. I drive slow. If I get better brakes it will be a safer drive.

I did not expect the car to get that much quicker.

TCK-098 · 30-09-2005, 11:24 PM

Stav as my sig says i fitted Dba slotted and ebc black stuff and a full set of braided lines and Yes the car is 100% better in slowing down no typical taxi feel.

**Stav** · 30-09-2005, 11:43 PM

What is ebc black stuff?

loxxr6 · 30-09-2005, 03:15 PM

The cebco package is impressive but damn pricey.

Quote:

FernTree Gully Autosalvage are putting together similar kits as well as Crescent Motorsport. When the details are finalised .. I'll post everything up on here.

I thought Joe @ Crescent did the brake conversions to series 2 already ?

**Mechan1k** · 30-09-2005, 04:05 PM

He has the Tickford twin-pots ready.
He is finding a new supplier (cheaper) for the calipers.
All other parts are made up for rotors (for both the EF/EL & AU).

I will be getting the 4-pots when they are ready for mass production ... in the meantime I might just get myself a set of Tickford twin-pot calipers and then sell them later when the 4-pots are ready.

vegabass · 30-09-2005, 04:34 PM

I have a set of Twin Piston AUII XR8 Front calipers and DBA slotterd rotors as well as the rear calipers and DBA rear rotors if any one is interested.
I have a EL and they dont fit that with out huge mods so i guess there up for sale?.......

**Mechan1k** · 30-09-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegabass

I have a set of Twin Piston AUII XR8 Front calipers and DBA slotterd rotors as well as the rear calipers and DBA rear rotors if any one is interested.
I have a EL and they dont fit that with out huge mods so i guess there up for sale?.......

I think there is a difference with the stub axles ... there is a conversion kit as far as I know ... not sure where to get it from though.

xr8ute · 30-09-2005, 06:20 PM

IMO, if the ABS is kicking in often, then you do not have enough road grip (tyre). Bigger brakes will only make this worse.

Stav, when you say it "travelled another 1.5metres" are you talking about the distance between hitting the brakes and the car starting to slow down? I reckon you'll find during that is the front suspension compressing i.e. fit stiffer front springs (say from XR) and your car will start pulling up earlier.

I have AU1 brakes in a heavy V8 Ute with DBA rotors, and Ferodo TD2000 pads. The pads cost as much as the rotors, and work MUCH better than the std rotors with Bendix Performax pads.

**Stav** · 30-09-2005, 10:58 PM

I think you are right on this.I will be getting som decent dba rotors and some super pads. The front shocks are new ?I may actually have a chat to Spiro on this topic as well.

Sox · 01-10-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

Can anyone make suggestions for brakes on the au 1 wagon.I cant stop the car quickly.Its got me worried. The abs seems to let the car roll to far forward.Any help is welcome..it is a bit scary.

Forget the brakes for now, you need some decent tires.
If the ABS is working, that means you have a traction problem, not a brake problem.

The AU1 brakes aren't the greatest, but decent pads are really all you need for road use.

Bigger brakes are only an advantage if you are doing repetitive stops from 100k's or greater.

For 1 or 2 stops from 80 or so, the standard brakes, if in good condition with good tires, actually do a decent job.

Don't waste money on big brake upgrades if you're not using it on the track or 'spirited' driving on mountainess windy roads.
I believe most of your driving is in the city.

Tires, brake fluid, and pads, in that order. Then re-evaluate.

Rick.

jonbays · 01-10-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

Tires, brake fluid, and pads, in that order. Then re-evaluate.

Rick.

I agree with Sox. I paid almost a grand for a set of Yoko ES100's 225/45ZR16's and the difference a really good set of tyres makes is impressive.

I would say having seen them the tyres are your weakest link.
I would prbably say a change in wheels would be a good idea and a set of AUII futura rims with 225/50ZR16's or a set of AUII XR6 rims with 235/45ZR17's would be a great move. Still cheaper than the brake upgrade too.

Brakes wise I am running RDA slotted rotors and bendix ultimates and the brakes are very good for street driving more than adequate.

buickman · 02-10-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbays

I agree with Sox. I paid almost a grand for a set of Yoko ES100's 225/45ZR16's and the difference a really good set of tyres makes is impressive.

I would say having seen them the tyres are your weakest link.
I would prbably say a change in wheels would be a good idea and a set of AUII futura rims with 225/50ZR16's or a set of AUII XR6 rims with 235/45ZR17's would be a great move. Still cheaper than the brake upgrade too.

Brakes wise I am running RDA slotted rotors and bendix ultimates and the brakes are very good for street driving more than adequate.

Got to agree there with Yokomahas I have had Goodyear16", Falken17", Simex17" & now the Yoko cdrive 235/45/17" which cost over a grand with a front & rear alginment & the difference is really noticeable in handeling & braking.
I always change the brake fluid yearly & never let the pads get to low before I change them. Being a series1 it still pulls up well for street & h/way use.
buickman

Lightning Strike GT · 04-10-2005, 12:32 PM

Almost had an inncident last Sunday arvo on the Bruce Hwy at Caboolture
A moron with a old Commodore VH or VK with a overloded box trailer gets the death wobbles at 100k and jack knifes I am in the left land behind him and a bug eye STI REX was next to me the same speed and we both hit the skids when the Commonwhore lost it
Mine has the Premium brakes and I think the STI has Brembos ???? the big heavy Falcon pulled up to a complete stop about 2 car length before the REX - lucky there was no one behind us.
So IMHO the Premium brakes on these AU's are the ducks guts and that is stopping power :1syellow1