Si_s Supe Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Chris wilson is your man. Pads, new pins and he even does new pistons! Trust me, they all make a difference, a huge difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightsix Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlton Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I've just replaced the discs and pads on each corner with OEM parts from Toyota then swapped the brake lines for a braided steel set and they are much firmer now. Cost under £500 compared to around £1400 to upgrade to UK spec brakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Do LS400 calipers bolt straight up to the Supra front and rear?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightsix Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Fronts need a small web of alloy filing out but the backs will slip straight on. They were stopping my V8 Supra perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Cool! I'll keep an eye out for some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastcar Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 go for potterfield pads I think whiffbitz stock them. I use them on my TT on j-spec brakes after using many other brands and they seem to be the best, just make sure you get the ones for road not track/race Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJax Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Change the brake fluid and un stick the sticking calipers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Change the brake fluid and un stick the sticking calipers This, I unstuck my calipers the other day and had some second hand ones to replace mine with.... it made a hell of a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 LS 400 fronts are amazing, Did not know that the rears fit too! next upgrade for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 LS400 brakes aren't going to go behind my wheels I don't think! The back of the spoke is already pretty close to the Jspec calipers as it is!! I've emailed Chris for prices. I think it's probably the best way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethr Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 LS 400 fronts are amazing, Did not know that the rears fit too! next upgrade for meThe rears won't be an upgrade. They may be a downgrade, some sources say the pistons are smaller in diameter than the Supra's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 To get the best out of the smaller brakes, overhaul the callipers, decent pads, braided lines, decent brake fluid and a brake master cylinder stopper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 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?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Nice one, cheers Nic! I have been looking here: http://www.brake-caliper-painting.com They get top notch reviews and would charge £55 per front and £42 per rear for full re manufacture! Seems a bit of a no brainer really!? Do you have any master cylinder stoppers?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 As Nic says the cheapest route really is to get them all done. £55 is very cheap to do the twin piston caliper inc the carrier. 2 pistons and a seal kit will cost over £40 just to buy them http://www.brakeparts.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibby Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Nice one, cheers Nic! I have been looking here: http://www.brake-caliper-painting.com They get top notch reviews and would charge £55 per front and £42 per rear for full re manufacture! Seems a bit of a no brainer really!? Do you have any master cylinder stoppers?? Have you used this place yet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_s Supe Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) 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 March 26, 2014 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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