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Triumph TR6 - Uprated TR6 brakes - whats best??


Hi Guys,

I have just found this site and am looking for some advice is possible....

I have a '73 TR6 and find the brakes pretty bad (though i realise i am spoilt with modern brakes) They are stiff, have little feel and if stamped on will always slide rather than a progressive stop..(heace a dent in the front!)

What are the best mods to improve the brakes without spending a fortune on 4pots etc.. Will uprated pads and goodrich hoses do that much, or should i look at new disks too??

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Jeremy.
Jeremy Williams

Hi Jeremy,

braking is dependent on several things, any of which can affect the performance of the system. If you are finding the car shakes or seems to pulse as you break hard, then that many times means warped rotors. The condition of the rotors is important. If they are badly scored, then you can be reducing the amount of pad contact with the rotor. The thickness of the rotor is also important because a rotor that is too thin will heat and cool more quickly during breaking and is more likely to warp over time. The type of pads will greratly affect your stopping distance, and determine the repeatability of the stopping. Race type pads work very poorly cold, but once heated up during track conditions work better than stock pads, and are less prone to gassing, glazing and other stuff a normal street pad would demonstrate if used hard repeatedly, but not recommended for the street.

I have heard there is a new pad on the market, a green pad, supposed to be great for the street, and better stopping ability, but dont know much about them, maybe someone one the site knows.

The type of break lines also has interest. Traditional rubber flex lines can swell when brakes are applied and this means that some of the pressure you are putting in the system is being absorbed by the bulging or expansion of the lines. Most people who have replaced their old rubber flex lines with new ones, (or better still) the braided steel lines have noticed a firmer peddle feel.

Finally the fluid you use. If its old, it can be contaminated with moisture, or other things. Its always a good idea to consider replacing fluids every several? years, and while doing so bleed the brakes to try and eliminate any trapped air.

Hope it helps
Ken
Ken Jackson

Jeremy,

I agree with Ken, TR6 brakes whn in good order gives adequate performance. My two cents suggestion is to check also that all braking pistons at wheel work fine. A stuck piston will yields to poor braking.

Cheers,

JGC
J. G. Catford

When you say "slide" I take it you mean the tyres locked up.
If so then they may be age hardened or just poor quality, in either case replace the set with tyres which give more grip and you should be able to stop in a shorter distance without lock-up.
If the pedal feels hard you may have a piston sticking in the caliper due to rust, this might show up as pulling to oneside under braking, or both calipers may havethe problem.
While not up to modern standards the brakes should stop you safely; I think you need to have a mechanic check things over!
Simon.
Simon Rasmussen

I would off this caveat on the steel braided teflon lines. They are very sensitive to twisting, so car must be exercised when fitting them. You will also need to keep an eye on them as they will typically not last as long as the stock hoses, especially at the LH rear because of the severe bending off the tee fitting block to the trailing arm.

There are lots of other upgrades out there, it really boils down to what you want to do. Four pot calipers, vented disc, etceteras, all can either be found in kit form or made up if you know which pieces to mix and match. Even four wheel disc brakes are possible. You are basically limited by your imagination and how much brass you are willing to part with.
SteveP

Just refurb the stock brakes using racing pads and install SS Brake lines. Unless you are running some sort of track tire compound I think you can lock the stock tires on the street therefore bigger brakes = no reduction in stopping distance with stock tires. A study was done and the reductions are minimal with the big braking kits. For the street the stock brakes, in tip top form, are excellent!
John Parfitt


Thanks for all the help guys - really useful.
I have fished around the internet and found a dealer selling a kit of refurbished calipers, uprated pads and new disks (drilled or std) for a good price - £150+vat. I recon this could do the trick - I'm guessing the calipers are a bit aged. I will go down the line of braided hoses too...
Many thanks,
Jeremy.

Jeremy Williams

This thread was discussed between 12/07/2005 and 13/07/2005

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