3.0 Brake Disc advice.

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CapriFreak
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3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by CapriFreak »

Hey all, I was hoping someone could give me advice for my Capri's disc brakes.

Its a 2.0 but for some reason (I'm guessing someone robbed the 2.0 struts) It has 3.0 legs and discs. I didnt know this 3 years ago and bought some new Burton Top Mounts/lowering springs which a garage fitted to get the Car driving in a straight line.... fast forward and last year I fitted new m16 Rally Sport callipers, braided hoses and Borg & Beck Pads which helped it to stop a little bit better.
Its ok on short trips but after driving for a little while the brakes feel rough which I'm guessing is these horrible old 3.0 "Top Hat" discs I didnt change. I'm also getting a "chirping" noise after a while too. Thats the Pads i'm guessing but I just want a bit of advice before I spend my hard earned.

My thinking is:

Option 1, I could buy new top hat 3.0 discs from Tickover (maybe do the shoes too), have a fully revamped system that works like the 70s intended.

Option 2, I could try and track down new legs but this would take more money away from other stuff (head is leaking oil, weird noise I havent tracked down yet) so maybe this isnt worth it for a Car I just want to cruise around in and do the odd long trip in.

Option 3, is I've been offered some second hand drilled disks on facebook (the seller might be on here) which I guess might stop it better?? they're for a mk1 3.0 but look like they fit. The only thing is will I be in a better position with this option.

Option 4, is taking these discs to a machine shop and seeing if they will shave a bit off? Looks like there about 10 or 11mm ish left on there.

What do you think? I dont expect a Capri to stop like a new Car just looking for what you guys would do in my position as I do need to do other jobs on this Car to have something I can use properly. :lowrider:
Screenshot 2021-09-10 at 17.51.41.png
Screenshot 2021-09-10 at 17.51.41.png
CapriFreak
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by CapriFreak »

Condition of the Discs
Screenshot 2021-09-10 at 19.13.20.png
STEVEW
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by STEVEW »

Hi CapriFreak,

Judging by the photos those discs look as though they're shagged.
However, what you could do - as a form of fault diagnosis is, (if you have an old pair of pads lying around) slot them in and go for a test drive.
If the sound disappears or changes then it could point to the discs.

It looks and sounds to me as though you should replace the discs or, if it's possible, get them skimmed.
The noise you describe sounds as though the new quality pads have been protesting!

Regards,
Steve
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Peter-S »

I'm with Steve. The discs look pretty crappy to me. I'd bin them and start again. I would also go with fresh pads because if they've been grinding up against those discs they are probably pretty ropey as well. It would be a shame if they damaged the new discs.
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CapriFreak
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by CapriFreak »

Someone on another forum says they possibly know of some 2.0 struts for sale and is going to check a price for me.

If they come back with something decent what should I expect? A lot of struts I see for sale on ebay have no hubs? I guess in that case I'll have to figure in Hubs, Discs and bearings?

Also would there be a difference in 1.6 -2.0 struts? dont want to buy a pile of :wank: :lol:
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Peter-S »

CapriFreak wrote: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:39 pm Also would there be a difference in 1.6 -2.0 struts? dont want to buy a pile of :wank: :lol:
No, they are the same.
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Mc Tool »

What I did was to check the bearing sizes for different models on Burton's web site . There are 3 different sized bearings . The 3L stubs are different to the 2L, and escorts are diff again.
I would get 2L struts and fit the vented disc's and M16 calipers with spacer kit if you want to up grade .
Looking at the pix looks like the pads don't reach to the edge of the ( knackered ) disc's which won't help .
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CapriFreak
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by CapriFreak »

Mc Tool wrote: Sat Sep 11, 2021 6:39 am What I did was to check the bearing sizes for different models on Burton's web site . There are 3 different sized bearings . The 3L stubs are different to the 2L, and escorts are diff again.
I would get 2L struts and fit the vented disc's and M16 calipers with spacer kit if you want to up grade .
Looking at the pix looks like the pads don't reach to the edge of the ( knackered ) disc's which won't help .
Cheers for this. If they come through and the struts are good I think this might be the way to go.

When I bought the burton top mounts and lowering springs I didnt realise I had 3.0 struts and just told them I had a 2.0 Capri.
The garage who fitted them probably didnt know either but the Springs always move when you turn in reverse it seems. I guess these springs should fit better and I can re use my dampers too?
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc (just been offered 2.0 struts)

Post by CapriFreak »

Hey folks i've been offered some 2.0 complete struts to swap out my 3.0 struts that are badly in need of new discs.

What I have been offered is 2.0GL Sachs struts ready to go straight on with original standard springs/top mounts. What I have now is 3.0 struts with Burton top mounts (which I remember changed the ride hight somehow) Burton Springs (which I think helped with this change of hight?) & new M16 callipers. This was done 3 years ago and the garage ordered new dampers too and being a 2.0 I guess they ordered dampers for a 2.0, I dont know if there is a difference?
The rear of the Car has single 2.8 leaf springs on and the car sits nicely and is on 13" wheels at the moment.

My question is , obviously I could just bolt in the new struts and add some new Discs etc but I really like the Cars ride hight at the moment and dont want it to point nose up! I'm guessing I could take apart what I have and swap it over to the new 2.0 struts? or should I just bolt the old 2.0 GL stuff on there and maybe live with higher ride hight/ stiffer steering? I'm guessing my Top Mounts are better?

Thinking I could use spacers, my m16 callipers and 2.8 discs with this new set up.... or should I just buy 3.0 discs and live with what i've got and forget all of this.

Cheers!
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Mc Tool »

Go for the spacers and 2.8 discs.
If possible try to identify which springs are on your struts. Then you may be able to estimate ride height. Are your new top mounts bearing mounts or solid rubber ?
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CapriFreak
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by CapriFreak »

My top mounts at the moment are the rubber roller bearing burton type and I’m guessing the old stuff (not seen them yet) are the old rubber type if it’s all standard. I think it was taken off a car back in the day. I’ll try identify the springs from my paperwork when I get home tomorrow.
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Mc Tool »

If your lucky you may find dabs of paint on the spring , these colour codes will tell you what you have ......but they could be sagged out . There are spring makers that can " re- boing " springs .....dunno if its economical for front coils as they aint that dear when new.
I think rubber roller top mounts are the go for road use .... Thats what I have . You may need a bush/spacer kit to get them to fit the mount kit ....burtons again 🙂
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by Bug »

May be talking out the wrong end here, but I seem to remember roller top mounts add about an inch to ride height?
If so you'd be wanting shorter springs.
Unless you know the old oil dampers are good, then consider swapping them for some gas 'cartridge type that just drop into the old strut.
I once used Gaz ones, which were adjustable. Not for any kind of performance mod, but it gives you at least three 'lives' to each strut as you can start at softest (still harder than standard) and tweak them up as they get older.
I ran a fairly nippy 2.0S with Gaz front dampers, 1" lower 145lb springs and it turned in beautifully. Really don't need anything harder than that. It's a good upgrade but doesn't affect your fillings! It had standard (but new) top mounts.
I also bolted on 2.8i callipers and discs.
All you would need to do is split your callipers and fit the spacer kit, plus the spacer washers on the mounting bolts.
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Re: 3.0 Brake Disc advice.

Post by STEVEW »

Bug wrote,
Unless you know the old oil dampers are good, then consider swapping them for some gas 'cartridge type that just drop into the old strut.
I once used Gaz ones, which were adjustable. Not for any kind of performance mod, but it gives you at least three 'lives' to each strut as you can start at softest (still harder than standard) and tweak them up as they get older.
I ran a fairly nippy 2.0S with Gaz front dampers, 1" lower 145lb springs and it turned in beautifully. Really don't need anything harder than that. It's a good upgrade but doesn't affect your fillings! It had standard (but new) top mounts.
I can second what Bug wrote.
We changed the struts for GAZ adjustables on my son's 2.3S for the same reason: as they become "tired" tweak them a touch. We fitted Maxxis Victra 510 tyres and the front end feels good with great feedback. As for the disc conversion: we are now waiting for the ventilated discs.
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