Au3 xr8 ute

John53 · 08-09-2024, 12:45 PM

I have just purchased a au3 xr8 Ute. The calipers are sticking as it has been sitting for years. I want to know if anyone has had experience with the attached brake upgrade kit on eBay?
It looks ok. TIA. Cheers
I cannot send the attachment. Anyway it is the 322 rotors and calipers to match for $750. RDA from Melbourne are selling them.

**PG2** · 08-09-2024, 01:01 PM

The calipers will be sticking because of the caliper pistons. They are a type of plastic (the name escapes me at the moment) and swell up.

They can be easily replaced with steel pistons.

If you want to upgrade to the 322mm rotors make sure that you are buying the whole kit - calipers, brakets, rotors and brake lines. It is hard to comment on the kit that you are referring to without a direct link.

EDIT: Give Racebrakes Sydney a call. Very knowledgeable and great prices.

Interceptor · 08-09-2024, 01:05 PM

maybe post a link to the ebay advert?

**PG2** · 08-09-2024, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interceptor

maybe post a link to the ebay advert?

Upon further investigation, it may be these...

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/29529129...oGS-Vxggi_Ki7w

John53 · 08-09-2024, 03:46 PM

Yes, that's the upgrade kit interceptor.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/29529129...oGS-Vxggi_Ki7w

nearlythere · 15-09-2024, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John53

I have just purchased a au3 xr8 Ute. The calipers are sticking as it has been sitting for years. I want to know if anyone has had experience with the attached brake upgrade kit on eBay?It looks ok. TIA. CheersI cannot send the attachment. Anyway it is the 322 rotors and calipers to match for $750. RDA from Melbourne are selling them.

Any pics?

John53 · 15-09-2024, 07:20 PM

I will post some pics when I get the car home. It is in the garage getting rwc. Cheers.

ozrunner · 15-09-2024, 07:50 PM

Just for info IMHO they used RDA as its close to DBA who are the actual Oz leaders in manufactured discs. I brought some RDA's a few years ago for a 4WD and they were total crap, very rough and not even straight etc so they went in the bin.

I recently put a full set of DBA's on my FG ute and they weren't super expensive so as mentioned give Racebrakes Sydney or others a call to check what they have and costs etc. Refurbished calipers are also not super expensive.

Those RDA discs are cheap **** and would make me wary.

**DFB FGXR6** · 15-09-2024, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozrunner

Just for info IMHO they used RDA as its close to DBA who are the actual Oz leaders in manufactured discs. I brought some RDA's a few years ago for a 4WD and they were total crap, very rough and not even straight etc so they went in the bin.

I recently put a full set of DBA's on my FG ute and they weren't super expensive so as mentioned give Racebrakes Sydney or others a call to check what they have and costs etc. Refurbished calipers are also not super expensive.

Those RDA discs are cheap **** and would make me wary.

While researching my brake upgrade last year, I came to the conclusion that the RDA stuff was sub-par. They also look cheap.

In the end, Matt from Race Brakes Sydney hooked me up with DBA T3 322mm front rotors, DBA T3 303mm rear rotors, Project MU NS-EP front pads, DBA SP rear pads and custom made Goodridge stainless lines. I then had to order the larger caliper support brackets from eBay.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20467427...iABEgLIIfD_BwE

https://www.racebrakessydney.com.au/

Citroënbender · 15-09-2024, 10:12 PM

Happy multiple time installer of RDA rotors here.

John53 · Yesterday, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozrunner

Just for info IMHO they used RDA as its close to DBA who are the actual Oz leaders in manufactured discs. I brought some RDA's a few years ago for a 4WD and they were total crap, very rough and not even straight etc so they went in the bin.

I recently put a full set of DBA's on my FG ute and they weren't super expensive so as mentioned give Racebrakes Sydney or others a call to check what they have and costs etc. Refurbished calipers are also not super expensive.

Those RDA discs are cheap **** and would make me wary.

Yeah, I was feeling wary of them, that's why I asked if anyone had experience with them. I have stayed with standard set up for now to get the car mobile. I will look at an upgrade up the track, when I experience how good/ bad standard setup is. Priority for now is getting a rwc, and changing all fluids, filters etc. Thanks for advice and support. Looking forward to enjoying the pleasure of a v8 again. It's been too long. (30 years) Cheers

Citroënbender · Yesterday, 03:32 PM

Six months of up and down the Macquarie Pass on RDA slotted and dimpled front discs, no problems of any sort including vibration, fade, excessive wear. That set, on the same car, previously did four years of mountainous Tasmanian roads.

Two sets of slotted and dimpled on the front of AU XR6 ute, first pair wore out from my poor choice of pads (too aggressive). Second pair and matching rears have been fine.

Standard replacement fronts on Kia K2700 light truck, no problems over five years (unfortunately not what could be said about its engine!).

Yes, real world experience of my own, and I would readily buy/fit again.

**FTE217** · Yesterday, 03:37 PM

John53, congrats nice purchase look forwqard seeing pics when you can load em up.

CB is right many have bought fitted and carried on with RDA product.
Price winner as well but if having the choice a DBA equiv even that little bit more is the better option.
Also never fit those EBC pads, similar scenario though everyone has their pref good and bad experiences.

Citroënbender · Yesterday, 03:58 PM

You’ve reminded me; I fitted Redstuff pads to the slotted/dimpled RDA fronts on the Territory and they have seemed to wear the discs more.

Not so bad as the “heavy duty” pads which wore out the first set of AU fronts, but noticeable.

**PG2** · Yesterday, 07:53 PM

A standard setup with quality rotors, pads and fresh DOT4 brake fluid will outbrake any 322mm setup with ebay pads, dodgy rotors and dirty out of date brake fluid.

NOTE: I AM NOT SAYING THAT RDA ARE DODGY, I JUST BELIEVE THAT DBA ARE BETTER.

ute83 · Yesterday, 11:00 PM

Rda and dba are run of the mill China rotors, except for some of the more expensive stuff from dba. From my experience it's all in the pads. I try and source trw pads if I have the time.

John53 · Today, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Six months of up and down the Macquarie Pass on RDA slotted and dimpled front discs, no problems of any sort including vibration, fade, excessive wear. That set, on the same car, previously did four years of mountainous Tasmanian roads.

Two sets of slotted and dimpled on the front of AU XR6 ute, first pair wore out from my poor choice of pads (too aggressive). Second pair and matching rears have been fine.

Standard replacement fronts on Kia K2700 light truck, no problems over five years (unfortunately not what could be said
about its engine!).

Yes, real world experience of my own, and I would readily buy/fit again.

Thanks for the input. It's great that we can help and support each other. You only know what you know. Collectively there is a wealth of knowledge and experience we can all share. I value everyone's contribution. So for now keeping it standard, rotors machined, good quality pads and fluid. Go over everything with a fine tooth comb and improve/ refine standard set up. I am hanging to go for a good drive, as I only had a small drive when I brought it because brakes were sticking. It's been at the local garage ever since. Will keep you updated and some pics when I get it home. Cheers Guys.