Brakes - Conversion GR to GPX

[Sebastian]

Anybody here can guide me trough this?
I mean its a direct FIT ?
brake discs , calipers , pads , hoses
any info

[kevinod]

Done this myself... yup, its a direct replacement. The only thing holding the brake disc in place is the caliper, so remove the caliper, disk slips off, put new disk on, new caliper & pads, and you're done.

Basic run through:
- remove wheel (after car is on jack and axel stand(s) of course)
- remove hose from caliper. You're going to loose brake fluid here so have some spare, and have a can to catch fluid leaking out of those free hose
- remove caliper - there's 2 bolts around behind the hub holding them on. Might need a good soaking in WD-40 for a while. Again, when you remove the caliper, unless you put the bolt that was holding the hose on back in, the fluid inside the caliper is likely to leak out.
- remove disk, may need a few taps of a rubber mallet
- put on new caliper, same 2 bolts as before
- fit pads (apply a little copper grease to back of pads)

Do both left and right, and then bleed your brake lines.

[Muad_dib77]

Nice guide kev. Really handy if ones replacing discs as well!

Quick question about this bleeding business.
Is it better to be two at it - or is it something one person can do?

I'm askign cause I'm hoping to do my brakelines over the next weekend (depending on wheater!) & I'm wanting to replace my brakefluid as well - got a bottle of DOT5 from Rice.

I'm thinking I'd replace one line - empty the system
Fill the reservoir - pump brakepedal (top up reservoir when needed) - till that 1 brake is bled..

Then move on to 2nd brakeline and bleed that as per normal..

Does it sound feasable? Or will I need a buddy to come out and look for bubbles?

[kevinod]

I'd be more inclined to replace all the brakelines and THEN start bleeding. You'll have a closed system while you're bleeding the brakes rather than opening part of the system by replacing the brakeline, possibly letting air get in. Plus you're going to loose a good bit of brake fluid when you remove the brakelines anyway.

One tip I was given, was to put a bit of wood or whatever between the drivers seat and the brake pedal, so your brake is pressed while you're doing it. Less brake fluid will leak out then. Depending on how long you're at it you might want to remove the fuse for the brake lights, save your battery.

My Wilwoods should arrive this week hopefully, all going well I might have a go installing them next weekend...

[kevinod]

Oh ya, brake bleeding... I reckon its easier having a second person to watch while you're bleeding, so you can just pump until the air is out rather having to jump in and out of the car to check all the time. Same person can keep an eye on your reservoir to make sure it doesn't get too low.

But, that said, it is possible to do it on your own, but it'll take a bit more time. Do you have one of those one man bleeding bottles?

[Muad_dib77]

Nops haven't got a one man bleeding thing - just looking at the on the bay - they seem to just be a clear rubber hose/pipe thing with a valve on it - some apply a vacuum to suck the fluid through I suppose but those yokes are +20gbp

I remember bleeding the brakes on my old 626 back in the day and we just had a bit of clear pipe - no valve or nothing..hmm..

[kevinod]

Ya, they're basically just a bottle with a hose, and a bit that you can hand the bottle on the caliper - simple enough, and good and clean too, no leaking brake fluid all over the place. You could pick one up in Halfords or somewhere like that easy. Postage would be as much or more than its worth.

There's other ones you can get that use the air from a tyre to bleed the lines, not sure how they work, haven't used one myself, not too expensive though I think.

Can't beat the simplicity of the bottle with the see through tube I reckon!

[Muad_dib77]

I might just pop down to halfords in a break today (3min work from work) top class!

THanks Kev.. Hope your brakes arrive soon - I'm dying to see that kit.

[Sebastian]

just ordered pads today from halfords for front so hopefully by sunday GPX upgrade will be up on the car . thanx kev for the guide & muad for advice
i'll post again .

[Sebastian]

oh . did the conversion 2day.
just finished few mins ago, was not very difficult .only some screws give me a headake .

thanx for the guides

[Muad_dib77]

So how did you get those discs off in the end?

[Sebastian]

damn those discs .. took me over 30 mins per disc to take them out .

[kevinod]

Nice one, I guess it'll take a bit of time to bed in but how are the first impressions?

[Sebastian]

Much better then before i'd say !( and i had new pads and farily good discs on ).
yea pedal it's a bit soft now ...should be better in a couple of days

[hhh1234]

how bad are the standard brakes. Ive read some review comparing them to micras

[Muad_dib77]

The GPX brakes are alright - but it definately makes a difference to put proper brake pads on there.

Also well worth your while replacing the brakefluid..

[kevinod]

They're not terrible, GPX calipers are better than the GR/GS calipers, and there are things you can do to help them which don't cost too much, like steel braided hoses, and as Muad says good brake pads definately help.

There are other calipers you can get that give you very decent stopping power - Brembo, AP, and Wilwood (got these myself recently) for example.