23 replies to this topic

[Spider]

 

The rear disc is not the problem my bias valve isnt adjustable enough, so need a old style Cooper s bias valve that went on the rear subframe

Out of interest what is the advantage of the rear discs over drums if you have to turn them down to stop them locking up?  Just curious.

 

 

Less weight and a Handbrake that works.

[Homersimpson]

 

 

The rear disc is not the problem my bias valve isnt adjustable enough, so need a old style Cooper s bias valve that went on the rear subframe

Out of interest what is the advantage of the rear discs over drums if you have to turn them down to stop them locking up?  Just curious.

 

 

Less weight and a Handbrake that works.

 

 

I've just been reading about rear discs by searching the forum and a lot of people say about poor handbrakes, personally I've never had any trouble with drum braked handbrakes on any or my minis or any other cars I have had.

 

The only handbrakes I've ever had trouble with are the old jag ones with the separate handbrake callipers (MK2, S-Type etc.).

[Spider]

 

 

 

The rear disc is not the problem my bias valve isnt adjustable enough, so need a old style Cooper s bias valve that went on the rear subframe

Out of interest what is the advantage of the rear discs over drums if you have to turn them down to stop them locking up?  Just curious.

 

 

Less weight and a Handbrake that works.

 

 

I've just been reading about rear discs by searching the forum and a lot of people say about poor handbrakes, personally I've never had any trouble with drum braked handbrakes on any or my minis or any other cars I have had.

 

The only handbrakes I've ever had trouble with are the old jag ones with the separate handbrake callipers (MK2, S-Type etc.).

 

 

Fair enough.

 

Out here in the colonies, we only every had the twin cable set up (of the MKI cars) and they are well known not to work too well, if at all. I haven't tried KAD's rear disc set up, but have done a few conversions of my own (at one time, I had a kit available) and one of the reasons for doing this is to get a working handbrake. I've not had a car with the single cable set up of the UK built cars, however, I've heard mixed results about them.

Another reason, apart from lower weight & a working handbrake, is reduced maintenance.

[Avtovaz]

Don`t bother with EBC Greenstuff as they are utter tat and I don`t care who wants to argue. I have spent an absolute fortune on mini braking systems to come to this conclusion, the factory got the 8.4" set up pretty good out of the box.

 

Mintex m1144 pads for heavy use or genuine AP for road use. The standard pads are great on the road especially in a lightened car and take a fair bit of abuse to cook them, in fact if you do cook them on the road you really shouldn't be on it ;)

 

A MS72 valve should get you sorted on the rear as its adjustable, I fit them to all my cars.

DOT 4 or 5 fluid only if using an AP master cylinder.

 

Im quite erm drunk, atm, but will raise this point tomorrow night as my bmw runs tellow on teh back and the brakes are awesome.

 

 

it kinda depends on what your set up is and how it works on your brakes...

[Homersimpson]

Thanks for the information Mokespider, it does amaze me in the 10 years I've been out of minis how many conversion are available, back when I was into minis there was the odd vauxhall or k series conversion but now they are everywhere! Rear disc brakes, personally still not seeing the need especially if you need to reduce the pressure to prevent an imbalance but each to their own, it would be a dull old world if we all thought the same!

[Spider]

Sorry I should have added in my post above that while I haven't had the KAD Kit, I know a few who have and they don't seem to have issues with the handbrake, however I'll also add that to get them to work as they should a sleeved belden style cable is needed with all of these as they all use a floating caliper of one type or another.

 

Thanks for the information Mokespider, it does amaze me in the 10 years I've been out of minis how many conversion are available, back when I was into minis there was the odd vauxhall or k series conversion but now they are everywhere! Rear disc brakes, personally still not seeing the need especially if you need to reduce the pressure to prevent an imbalance but each to their own, it would be a dull old world if we all thought the same!

 

Coming back to the 'need' for discs on the rear for road use - generally, you wouldn't bother. While getting a bit off topic, I persevered with what I did not only for the reasons I've give, but the main reason being I was towing a trailer (which wasn't light) and the stock brakes were not up to it.

[readracing]

The rear disc is not the problem my bias valve isnt adjustable enough, so need a old style Cooper s bias valve that went on the rear subframe

Out of interest what is the advantage of the rear discs over drums if you have to turn them down to stop them locking up?  Just curious.

There is no real advantage apart from weight saving and even with drums this would happen due to not having the original brake limiter valve
I brought a wilwood bias valve think it would work but doesn't have enough adjustment, so now looking for a original limiter valve

[Cooperman]

The rear brakes on a Mini only do about 20% of the braking. Rear discs are not needed and can be impossible to get to working temp.
Thousands of Minis have been used successfully in tough competition over the years without having rear discs.
The only possible advantages are a slight reduction in unsprung weight and more profits for the vendors.

[Rorf]

Only advantage of discs are they are less of a hassle to maintain and don't require adjusting all the time. But for sure the mini doesn't need them at the rear - total overkill (literally)