Falcon BA XLS ute Brakes

ED77 · 26-07-2012, 07:30 PM

Hi, I was referred here by another member after I asked the following question on another forum. From this person told me, this would be the right place to ask them! I hope it's ok.

"
First, a little background information on the car, if you're not interested, just skip to "my questions are"!

I drive a 2003 Falcon BA XLS (LPG), the car is not equipped with ABS and I use it mostly to take my race bike to and from the track other than running the odd errands here and there. I only did 16.000 kms on it since I bought it a couple of years ago!! I don't abuse it at all, I hardly ever speed. The heaviest load it has to carry is a 160Kg race bike + gear... so maybe 250kg max! The car is well maintained and despite showing 160K on the odometer it has had all the services done on time and the logbook (and overall condition of the vehicle) reflects that.

The problem is, since I bought it, the brakes have always give me grief. They'll shudder like crazy and then fade REALLY easily (yes, I had the fluid flushed/replaced at least once a year). On one occasion, one of the brake hoses let go and next thing I knew I had no brakes and the brake pedal didn't return after I pressed it. Thank God it happened whilst parallel parking.

I took the car to a mechanic and he installed a new hose and told me I would need new brake pads soon. That was like 8.000km ago... but, because the brakes sucked so much, I figured I'd just wait for the pads to finish, ditch the OEM setup and then replace the whole thing for something decent.

My questions are :

1- What should I replace the current brakes with? From what I read, most ppl seem to recommend DBA rotors over RDA but there was no consensus on what model (i.e. 4000 etc) or pads to use with them. Can you guys point me in the right direction?

2- Do I need to replace both front and rear rotors at the same time and do they need to be of the same model and use the same model pads? The reason I ask is because I don't even know if I'd benefit from using something like DBA's 4000 series, so I was wondering if I should/could use 4000s on the front and just standard DBAs on the rear? Would that be ok or even recommended?

3- Can anyone recommend a good/cheap place in Sydney to provide me with a decentsetup? I'm not very familiar with the whole car scene (like I said, I race bikes... please don't hold that against me! ) so I'm not sure what's out there. However I won't be racing/track daying or even driving this car in anger at any point in time.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!

Ed"

KIWI-1 · 26-07-2012, 07:34 PM

I'd talk to Race Brakes in Wetherill Park who are a forum sponsor.
In the meantime get some aerosol brake cleaner and use according to direction. When you replace the wheels tighten to the correct torque. May give some temporary relief.

**FLOORED** · 27-07-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ED77

Hi, I was referred here by another member after I asked the following question on another forum. From this person told me, this would be the right place to ask them! I hope it's ok.

"
First, a little background information on the car, if you're not interested, just skip to "my questions are"! image

I drive a 2003 Falcon BA XLS (LPG), the car is not equipped with ABS and I use it mostly to take my race bike to and from the track other than running the odd errands here and there. I only did 16.000 kms on it since I bought it a couple of years ago!! I don't abuse it at all, I hardly ever speed. The heaviest load it has to carry is a 160Kg race bike + gear... so maybe 250kg max! The car is well maintained and despite showing 160K on the odometer it has had all the services done on time and the logbook (and overall condition of the vehicle) reflects that.

The problem is, since I bought it, the brakes have always give me grief. They'll shudder like crazy and then fade REALLY easily (yes, I had the fluid flushed/replaced at least once a year). On one occasion, one of the brake hoses let go and next thing I knew I had no brakes and the brake pedal didn't return after I pressed it. image Thank God it happened whilst parallel parking.

I took the car to a mechanic and he installed a new hose and told me I would need new brake pads soon. That was like 8.000km ago... but, because the brakes sucked so much, I figured I'd just wait for the pads to finish, ditch the OEM setup and then replace the whole thing for something decent.

My questions are :

1- What should I replace the current brakes with? From what I read, most ppl seem to recommend DBA rotors over RDA but there was no consensus on what model (i.e. 4000 etc) or pads to use with them. Can you guys point me in the right direction?

2- Do I need to replace both front and rear rotors at the same time and do they need to be of the same model and use the same model pads? The reason I ask is because I don't even know if I'd benefit from using something like DBA's 4000 series, so I was wondering if I should/could use 4000s on the front and just standard DBAs on the rear? image Would that be ok or even recommended?

3- Can anyone recommend a good/cheap place in Sydney to provide me with a decentsetup? I'm not very familiar with the whole car scene (like I said, I race bikes... please don't hold that against me! image ) so I'm not sure what's out there. However I won't be racing/track daying or even driving this car in anger at any point in time.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

I will be at the All Ford Day this Sunday at Eastern Creek if you are attending come and say hi.

Thank you!

Ed"

I am sure we can help you

1- What should I replace the current brakes with? From what I read, most ppl seem to recommend DBA rotors over RDA but there was no consensus on what model (i.e. 4000 etc) or pads to use with them. Can you guys point me in the right direction?[/I]

Answer 1
RDA are very cheap atm but DBA have always been my choice of rotor and with the limited work yu do i would use the DBA T2 street series and you can buy these for $100 each slotted (when mentioned to me) and i would use the QFM HPX pads @ $80 a set although you may get some pad squeal as BA calipers aren't the best. You may need to have the pushrod from the booster backed off a litle as these were an issue in this model and were over adjusted from factory and caused the issues you have.The brake hoses also were a problem but now there fixed they should be fine.

2- Do I need to replace both front and rear rotors at the same time and do they need to be of the same model and use the same model pads? The reason I ask is because I don't even know if I'd benefit from using something like DBA's 4000 series, so I was wondering if I should/could use 4000s on the front and just standard DBAs on the rear? image Would that be ok or even recommended?

Answer 2
Yes you could use the T3 4000 on the front and T2 rear although as mentioned above i think the T2 will be fine but the T3 4000 are only $150 each and good piece of mind there.At the cost of the pads i would just run the same material.

3- Can anyone recommend a good/cheap place in Sydney to provide me with a decentsetup? I'm not very familiar with the whole car scene (like I said, I race bikes... please don't hold that against me! [I]image ) so I'm not sure what's out there. However I won't be racing/track daying or even driving this car in anger at any point in time.

Answer 3
We at Race Brakes Sydney can supply and fit all these items for you or just sell them to you if someone you know can fit them.

ED77 · 27-07-2012, 01:04 PM

Cool! That's all I needed to know!! Thanks a lot for your reply!

Do you have the parts in stock? And how much would it cost to have them fitted?

I will probably go with what you suggested on Answer 2 as well! I hate the feeling of the brakes fading, especially when I have the bike on the back... I'd much rather spend an extra $100 and have the piece of mind!

Again, thank you for your time!

ED77 · 27-07-2012, 03:01 PM

Also, if you have everything in stock, any chance we could have this done tomorrow morning?

**FLOORED** · 27-07-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ED77

Also, if you have everything in stock, any chance we could have this done tomorrow morning?

$260 for fitting of rotors and pads all round but i have actually just sold out of front rotors this afternoon but i have everything else. I won't have more front rotors until monday.