Jump to content
The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Improving Jspec brakes?


Si_s Supe

Recommended Posts

Possible or even worth trying?

 

The brakes on my NA are not great! I've not long had the car and the previous owner has recently changed the pads, but I wouldn't mind betting they were cheap motor factor pads! I'm pretty sure one of the calipers is sticking ever so slightly, so ideally I could do with overhauling them. Is this likely to improve them or should look at changing the pads / maybe disks too? Or, should I just live with them until I can afford to put UK spec / LS400 calipers on?

 

The complaint I've got is the amount of force required on the pedal to get significant breaking power. When you start the car cold and the engine idles high, if you foot is. It hard on the pedal when you select D the car is off!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Overhauling them is obviously going to be a benefit if you have any seized calipers. I found that swapping the rears for Lexus LS400 UCF20 (took mine from a 96 car) helped loads - they're a straight swap onto the Supra caliper brackets and don't seem to stick as often as the Supra's.

 

I would look into LS400 fronts - there may be some breaking on ebay - I was offered a pair at a breakers for £50 a few months back (didn't have the cash in my pocket to buy though) but if you do this, don't forget you'll need to factor in the cost of the discs too.

 

Are you capable enough to strip a caliper and replace seals and maybe pistons?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Overhauling them is obviously going to be a benefit if you have any seized calipers. I found that swapping the rears for Lexus LS400 UCF20 (took mine from a 96 car) helped loads - they're a straight swap onto the Supra caliper brackets and don't seem to stick as often as the Supra's.

 

I would look into LS400 fronts - there may be some breaking on ebay - I was offered a pair at a breakers for £50 a few months back (didn't have the cash in my pocket to buy though) but if you do this, don't forget you'll need to factor in the cost of the discs too.

 

Are you capable enough to strip a caliper and replace seals and maybe pistons?

 

The LS400 upgrade seem much more economical than UK upgrade, and from what I've read, just as good.

 

I stripped and rebuilt my UK spec front and rears on my old TT6 using Chris Wilson seals / stainless pistons / stainless pins. If just doing this will make the brakes any good I'll happily do it but don't want to go to time and effort if it'll be wasted!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have to agree with Charlton useing stainless braided brake lines Toyota OEM brake pads all round instead of the Mintex jobbies vast improvement and less dust and annual brake fluid changes are a big help.

TBH N/A brakes do seem to get alot of stick, but normally are upto the job I drive my car fairly spirited and have no complaints so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, the NSF has totally seized today so I need to sort this! I'm buying a house at the moment that needs A LOT of work so as much money needs to be channelled to that as possible. This does put me on a bit of a budget as regards to rebuilding my calipers! Do I do them all as a matter of course, or just the failed one and go from there? Am I likely to get a brake imbalance if I just rebuild one caliper then put new pads all round??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok' date=' the NSF has totally seized today so I need to sort this! I'm buying a house at the moment that needs A LOT of work so as much money needs to be channelled to that as possible. This does put me on a bit of a budget as regards to rebuilding my calipers! Do I do them all as a matter of course, or just the failed one and go from there? Am I likely to get a brake imbalance if I just rebuild one caliper then put new pads all round??[/quote']

 

I'd personally refurbish them all so you don't get any brake imbalance (although I'm a bit OCD when it comes to brakes :) ). Once you've factored in the price of a rebuild kit, new pistons, slide bolts, etc. you may find it's not that much more to buy a set of refurbished callipers on an exchange basis. Alternatively you could get yours refurbished in the colour of your choice or rebuild them yourself, for rebuild service or for rebuild parts I'd recommend going here http://www.biggred.co.uk/onlinestore.php

 

If you are rebuilding them, I'd check for cracks in the callipers around the bleed screw, it's quite common on the smaller brakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never had a problem with NA brakes really, check your calipers are working well and either get some Oem pads or some of Chris Wilsons fast road pads and job done IMO.

 

To be honest as Graham has said...

get them stripped and cleaned first before you spend any money on them really good pads from CW :p

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Should be getting the calipers back today or tomorrow! Their service has been impeccable so far. Taken longer than expected as they're very busy but they've kept me informed the whole way.

 

One point to note, those prices I've quoted there, turned out to be labour costs. Parts are on top. Though they discounted it as I sent all four, and then I bartered a deal on top with an upgrade to a painted finish. Got it all in for £270 in the end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds good as long as they do a nice job, look forward to seeing some pics if you can

and you'll have to keep us informed of how they go once fitted.

 

A much better move than buying other second hand calipers which will just need

this doing sooner or later.

Edited by Dnk (see edit history)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. You might also be interested in our Guidelines, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.