Disco 2 Brakes Upgrade - Options

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Intestinalworm

Intestinalworm

Well-Known Member
Posts
712
Location
Australia
2003 Discovery 2 Td5 (18" alloy wheels)

Have started doing a bit of towing and might look at upgrading brakes some time in the future just for added safety. Around two years ago now I put in new Bosch discs (rotors) all-round - vented on the front as recommended - nothing fancy; all Bendix pads (4WD/SUV pads). Performed well.

Any one have experience with upgrading their brakes to take the braking "up to the next level" (don't want to go extreme with mods and want to keep the same size wheels) to give added safety with towing (c.500kg loaded onto a single-axle trailer)?
 
Intestinalworm said:
2003 Discovery 2 Td5 (18" alloy wheels)

Have started doing a bit of towing and might look at upgrading brakes some time in the future just for added safety. Around two years ago now I put in new Bosch discs (rotors) all-round - vented on the front as recommended - nothing fancy; all Bendix pads (4WD/SUV pads). Performed well.

Any one have experience with upgrading their brakes to take the braking "up to the next level" (don't want to go extreme with mods and want to keep the same size wheels) to give added safety with towing (c.500kg loaded onto a single-axle trailer)?
Click to expand...
depends on how you drive,standard would seem best as high performance brake pads require the high temps associated with that sport,so arent as efficient on a trip to the shops as we all most do
 
Intestinalworm said:
Can I put in larger discs? Slotted/drilled discs to dissipate the heat?
Click to expand...
Don't know frankly but if you already have vented than that should be all you need. Regularly tow lots up and down mountains, never needed anything other than standard and as JM points out an awful lot of the upgraded stuff is only any use when warmed up, which you won't be doing. You do have engine braking even in an auto!
 
Intestinalworm said:
Can I put in larger discs? Slotted/drilled discs to dissipate the heat?
Click to expand...
Of course u can if you have the skill to do so.
Larger disc and 4 or 6 pot callipers I are available from the go-fast shops, and if I get ceramic pads and discs you may get then glowing red at your track days, don’t forget you will need larger wheels with larger discs :D
 
discool said:
Of course u can if you have the skill to do so.
Larger disc and 4 or 6 pot callipers I are available from the go-fast shops, and if I get ceramic pads and discs you may get then glowing red at your track days, don’t forget you will need larger wheels with larger discs :D
Click to expand...

Might just stick with the Bosch discs (vented front as recommended) and Bendix 4WD/SUV pads. Later on might install braided brake hoses, but won't go any further than that.
 
Unless you are tear arsing around a track, then the standard brakes are adequate, if well maintained, and have a quality pad. I do have drilled and grooved on the front, but thats because Craddocks had an offer on them the day I went in... When I press the stop peddle, it stops..
 
I'd say what you have is already very good, assuming decent pads and maintained calipers.
These cars are designed with towing in mind so already well spec'd. If you're towing something particularly heavy, well that's where your trailer brakes come in
 
kermit_rr said:
I'd say what you have is already very good, assuming decent pads and maintained calipers.
These cars are designed with towing in mind so already well spec'd. If you're towing something particularly heavy, well that's where your trailer brakes come in
Click to expand...
Kermit you just posted exactly what I was going to post. My trailer brakes do a great job, as I found out when i transported a stere of more of hardwood in the back of the Disco. Had to brake much harder than I ever did with a full trailer on the back.
Servicing the trailer never does any harm.
 
Get a wooden stick , no , seriously, get a wooden stick and a nail, nail it to the side of your car in such a way just behind the front wheel that when you reach out the window and pull back on the stick the other end of it sweeps into the wheel and the friction slows you down.
 
Or, just a thought, but you could adjust your driving style to one of pulling a heavy trailer?
 
You will probably find that upgrading the brakes will make very little difference to your Disco's stopping performance unless you are regularly overheating the brakes. Stopping
performance has far more to do with tyres than brakes. Under hard braking the standard system should be more than capable of locking the wheels or causing the ABS to activate.
 
I don’t tow but I did upgrade my brakes and went a little excessive because I do like to stop...
- EBC GD Sport Drilled & Slotted Rear Rotors #GD957 & Front Rotors #GD994
- Akebono ceramic rear brake pads #ACT493 & front brake pads #EUR676
- Stainless steel brake bleed ports #SB1010S-SS from Speed Bleeder - 4 each
- Pentosin Super Dot 4 brake fluid #BFDOT4-L x 3 liter cans
 
JUKE179r said:
I don’t tow but I did upgrade my brakes and went a little excessive because I do like to stop...
- EBC GD Sport Drilled & Slotted Rear Rotors #GD957 & Front Rotors #GD994
- Akebono ceramic rear brake pads #ACT493 & front brake pads #EUR676
- Stainless steel brake bleed ports #SB1010S-SS from Speed Bleeder - 4 each
- Pentosin Super Dot 4 brake fluid #BFDOT4-L x 3 liter cans
Click to expand...

Sorry to dredge this thread up, but where did you get those akebono pads from, had a quick google and get no results on those part nos. Ta.
 
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