Rimmer/EBC Disc Brake Upgrade?

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Enzian

Well-Known Member
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374
Location
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Aye Up,

Has anyone fitted the EBC drilled/vented front brake caliper conversion kit to a previously solid disc set up?
I appreciate that there is a need for additional pipework.
If so how did the work go and is there any noticeable improvement?

Ta.
 
I assume you have ABS fitted to your D1, if so then there’s no additional pipe work involved if your fitting ABS discs/ callipers, if u are intending to fit non standard items (although some other markets have vented discs) none ABS D1s required a 1 into 2 pipe arrangement at the calliper, but that’s easy to do.

Forget the vented disc and just go with EBC pads the do pull u up :)
 
Aye Up,

It’s a D1 Stanley.

It’s non ABS Discool (no airbags either!). Interesting as it’s a ‘97 and I know of a ‘96 with both. Lower spec’d model I assume.

I’ve only looked in passing at the brake set up whilst carrying out other work on the truck, the rear calipers are in a poor state externally, I suspect it spent some time laid up with grass (moisture) growing up through the rear end, the axle casing has suffered similarly. The fronts aren’t too bad and the pads and discs look reasonable but I thought that I would overhaul the system and upgrade it at the same time.

I recently covered over 500 miles and I thought that the brakes weren’t too bad yet today in a thankfully low speed, almost emergency stop situation there was defo less ‘grab’ to things than I am happy with.

I noticed that there are already two sets of pistons either side in the front calipers with a ‘bridging’ pipe so was wondering if there is any performance improvement in the new calipers? Seems to me like they just move the split back a bit? Or am I missing something.

I am also hearing that some people suffer brake fade when towing a load or in continuous off road situations and that the vented discs will help.

I note that you recommend the EBC pads Discool - any info on the ceramic versions?
 
Lolol,

Don’t think I’ll be doing track days!

But I will be adding quite a bit of weight for off road duties - and if you saw the luggage my missus takes on holiday!!!

At some point in the future I hope to build an overland trailer camper too and I have read that some people have found the standard brakes lacking whilst towing.

Above all as I have only had the truck a short time I don’t know the quality of things such as the brake components so I want to redress that.

Ive recently been prepping for the suspension lift and apart from removing nuts and bolts that have probably never been off in 22 years Ive also come across other worn out items - i.e. near rusted through coil spring retaining plates.

Servicing it before the aforementioned 500miler I also found a UJ that wouldn’t take grease so that’s another item on the list to be changed.

I think that I will be busy for a while.

Thank both for the responses.
 
The solid disk setup should work ok and pull the vehicle up fine. If it isn’t then it probably needs an overhaul. Vented discs should offer less fade. But probably very similar normal braking.

Drilled discs can cause excessive pad wear if you off road a lot. Especially if you have sandy soils. Mud can get in the drilled holes when wading or going through wet mud and then be abrasive on the pads.
 
Aye Up 300,

+1 re the overhaul.

Re the drilled (single/solid) discs I see the point.
Drilled & vented (double disc) I assume less so as there is a potential escape route for debris including pad material?

I was considering nipping down to my friendly MOT station and getting a before and after roller test to get a measured comparison but if the standard set up I have now is below par a better result would be expected anyway.

Notably as LR fitted vented to ‘higher’ spec D1 models to mine and to D2s I assume that they thought it was worth it.

Braided steel hoses and new brake lines are on the menu with the suspension lift but on a 22 year old motor I expect the master cylinder might need an overhaul too, bet it’s never been touched.
 
Last edited:
My D1 Anniversary had the vented discs. When the first MOT time came along, I needed to change them and couldn't get hold of vented ones in a hurry, so fitted the solid ones.
Since then, (about 2004) have never needed to change them and have never noticed the difference, and this includes 4 journeys a year, Portsmouth to the southwest of France a journey of 500 miles plus towing a trailer as big as a small container which when full was on the limit of the 3.5 tons.
You may say I am gentle on the brakes, you may well be right, I have covered about 70K miles during this time. So if I were you I would just fit the pads and the standard vented discs, that way there will be no extra piping or other hassle. Plus 1 on the remarks above about off roading with it.
 
Aye Up Stan,

I can’t fit vented discs unless I change the caliper (the solid disc versions aren’t wide enough) hence the enquiry about the Rimmer/EBC conversion.

Surely when you fitted the solid discs into a vented disc caliper that meant that the pistons are operating further out of the pot and therefore offering a greater surface area to crud and increased potential damage to the seals?

I too consider myself light on the brake pedal (usually) but after the E-stop yesterday confidence wasn’t inspired!
 
I am not sure without researching it how much wider the vented discs are in relation to the solid discs. Might be worth you looking at it. But I expect the solids are a little bit thinner. All I can say is they work fine and are not a problem.
I'll have a quick look at relative thicknesses, for my own sake as much as the sake of this thread, and get back to you!
 
Stanleysteamer said:
I am not sure without researching it how much wider the vented discs are in relation to the solid discs. Might be worth you looking at it. But I expect the solids are a little bit thinner. All I can say is they work fine and are not a problem.
I'll have a quick look at relative thicknesses, for my own sake as much as the sake of this thread, and get back to you!
Click to expand...
I remember now that the pads are not the same configuration for solid as for vented. Although I now have solid discs I still have to buy pads for vented discs as they are the only ones compatible with my calipers. So if you want to upgrade to vented discs you'll need to get the calipers at the very least. Sorry it took me so long to remember this.
 
All 300 series discos left the factory for the UK market with solid discs what ever engine or special addition they were sold as, in other words identical, although vented front discs are listed in the parts catalogue which I can only assume were for other markets, as they weren’t an option when purchasing the vehicle new in the UK.

The favourite modification to D1 front brakes, which I don’t hear much about now, was to fit Defender front discs and callipers to suit which are bigger and vented but still it’s four piston per calliper.
If fitting the Defender kit to a D1 without ABS of course has a secondary and primary braking circuits, with ABS equipped D1 there’s a small and simple modification required at each front calliper ie. two additional hydraulic pipes that’s because there’s only one pipe to each ABS calliper.

Some early RRs had vented but some didn’t not that it ever bothered me. :)
 
discool said:
All 300 series discos left the factory for the UK market with solid discs what ever engine or special addition they were sold as, in other words identical, although vented front discs are listed in the parts catalogue which I can only assume were for other markets, as they weren’t an option when purchasing the vehicle new in the UK.
Click to expand...
I can assure you that our Anniversary had vented discs as standard. Even the simplest "Motabitz" type shop, when they typed the reg number into their computer came up with the vented disc and appropriate caliper combo. So maybe this is why they were in the parts catalogue.
However, without checking into it, I'd have thought that the V8 Disco 1s would have had uprated brakes, even if all they did was to fit the vented discs and appropriate calipers, so maybe that is why they are to be found in the catalogue.
Maybe the Anniversary 300tdis were a bit different to the standard 300 tdis.
What do you think?
 
Aye Up All,

Thanks for the further info and links. I’ve just read them.

My truck is a ‘97 V8 and I was surprised that it doesn’t have either ABS, dual circuit or vented discs when I know of older V8 models which do.

One of the linked articles infers that their original calipers might only be twin pot - mine are defo two pots each side of the pads per caliper, a single feed from a rubber hose to one side then a short bridging pipe on the caliper.

BTW the thought of the pistons falling out when the pad gets too low on an unspec’d combination sounds a bit hairy!
Please do check Stanley.

My over-riding thought as I mentioned previously is that if there is no significant gain to vented/drilled over solid why manufacturers spec them - surely not just kudos!

As for having had discs on a vehicle for eons which hardly wore out - I too recall that situation until I went over to sintered pads which made a notable improvement to the stopping power on a car which I owned but which then ate the discs at a faster rate.

I note that the EBC offering has a conversion kit which I assume includes the necessary pipework.
I’m assuming that the volume of fluid moved is hardly if at all different from the standard set up?
Would I be wrong to believe that EBC have checked out the effectiveness of the conversion?
 
Enzian said:
Aye Up All,

Thanks for the further info and links. I’ve just read them.

My truck is a ‘97 V8 and I was surprised that it doesn’t have either ABS, dual circuit or vented discs when I know of older V8 models which do.

One of the linked articles infers that their original calipers might only be twin pot - mine are defo two pots each side of the pads per caliper, a single feed from a rubber hose to one side then a short bridging pipe on the caliper.

BTW the thought of the pistons falling out when the pad gets too low on an unspec’d combination sounds a bit hairy!
Please do check Stanley.

My over-riding thought as I mentioned previously is that if there is no significant gain to vented/drilled over solid why manufacturers spec them - surely not just kudos!

As for having had discs on a vehicle for eons which hardly wore out - I too recall that situation until I went over to sintered pads which made a notable improvement to the stopping power on a car which I owned but which then ate the discs at a faster rate.

I note that the EBC offering has a conversion kit which I assume includes the necessary pipework.
I’m assuming that the volume of fluid moved is hardly if at all different from the standard set up?
Would I be wrong to believe that EBC have checked out the effectiveness of the conversion?
Click to expand...

Ok same brake system for diesel and petrol engine fitted to the 300 series D1s, both are similar weight the petrol is around 15 mph faster so no big deal there.
Up to 1994, so 200series + RRs standard or as an option with vented front brakes, the pt no’s as follows.
FRC902 disc, RTC6776 RH calliper, RTC6777LH calliper. Vented disc and calliper are wider as can be seen on some callipers with the spacer between the two halves, plus the two pipe inlets, if I remember correctly three fluid bleed nipples also.
If any 300series D1 has similar fitted then its non-standard fitment.

As for ABS equipment, it was an option like SRS and sunroofs unless u purchased top of the range then it’s standard, although dual circuit (secondary/primary) braking system is fitted, if not ABS .

Also as for question on the EBC system, don’t hold your breath fo and answer, I’ve never seen any thing stated on the Forum about this kit, I doubt that pipes would also be supplied, as for how affective their system is , I suspect the same as any other.
 
Aye Up,

Useful info.

Yes I was surprised that there was no one on here coming back having fitted one of these EBC kits - perhaps the price of the best part of 300 quid has something to do with it, although it doesn’t stop people forking out similar for such as bumpers.

Could it also be the case that other second hand LR products have been used, the likes of which you have identified Discool?

I’ll make some enquiries and get back in due course.
 
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