Brakes again

[steveoz32]

Hi Guys,

I can imagine that there have been hundreds of threads on here re brakes. And I know the most popular answer to my next question without even looking! But here goes.

The 320I has disks on the front and drums on the rear. Since stripping the car, the brakes stop it fine, but fade is an issue under extreme braking.

I'm looking at simply upgrading the front disks to vented, drilled and grooved jobbies with decent pads / fluid and changing the shoes on the rear.

Now here is the question!

Can you drill a rear drum casing to improve the rear drum efficiency on an E30? I know in the old days, the likes of beetles and anglias etc people tracking them used to drill the drums to disipate the heat and throw the water out, etc as a cheap brake upgrade, I'm just wondering if anyone has ever done it on an E30?

And yes I know it's still cheap and better to get disks / arms etc from a 325, but I am happy with the brakes other than fade. The front should be kept in check I hope now, but I was just wondering if I should drill the rears to lower temperatures and improve efficiency (as this is basically free!).

Cheers!

[DRIFTBOY]

Hi.

I'm sorry I can't properly answer that about the drums but I love the question, very interesting idea! And I love free mods too!

In my experience I would be very surprised if the rear brakes were getting hot enough to fade. It's the front brakes that do the majority of the work due to weight already over the front axle and weight transference under heavy braking.

I think you're right to try, as you said, vented discs and some decent fast road pads, that should make a big difference to how they work.

I'm not saying drilling the drums is a waste of time because I don't know, but definately get rid of the solid discs and standard pads and go from there.

[Taffy]

I personally wouldn't uck about with the old drums, just change them for discs, safety and all that! Use decent pads and fluid and you'll be fine

[gareth]

In my experience I would be very surprised if the rear brakes were getting hot enough to fade. It's the front brakes that do the majority of the work due to weight already over the front axle and weight transference under heavy braking.

you may change your mind soon... in my 335i tourer i can get my WMS 280mm 4 pots smoking with blue disks!!!! the rear is all OE stuff but i've had them smoking too!

[BMW_YARD]

the brakes stop it fine, but fade is an issue under extreme braking.

Whatever the guy is using the car for he is happy with the brakes until warm, this is, as you have diagnosed, is the area that needs addressing.

Get some decent pads in there, Pagid, Mintex, Tarox, whatever takes your fancy and you or your mates like.

Pads are a personal choice and everybody has an opinion.

And change the brake fluid, I wouldn't use anything other than ATE Super Racing Blue (Davidoff Cool Water!!!!!)

[DRIFTBOY]

in my 335i tourer i can get my WMS 280mm 4 pots smoking with blue disks!!!! the rear is all OE stuff but i've had them smoking too!

Good work!

I doff my hat to you sir!

I'm gonna try and cane mine that hard!!

[Jay07]

My brakes are a worry as they judder alot under pressure so i have to pump the brake - I thought it may just be sh!t padz on there - I was wondering what is the basic brake upgrade!?

Pagid, Mintex, Tarox

Guess i'll start here!

[BMW_YARD]

My brakes are a worry as they judder alot under!

Brake judder is distortion or contamination on the disc surface (rust)

When braking:

Vibration felt through steering wheel = front discs

Vibration felt through car/seat = rear discs

Vibration felt through arse, then hitting a wall, YOU WERE GOING TO FAST, SLOW DOWN!

[Jay07]

Brake judder is distortion or contamination on the disc surface (rust)

Cheers mate! without double checking i can feel it through the steering wheel - i need to double check - before your post i would have said i felt it thru the pedal! I'll be away for a couple of dayz i'll check when i get back and update! Keep an eye open for the post mate...

Thanks again!!

J

[BMW_YARD]

Any distortion (run-out) imperfection in the disc running surface outsideof spec and you will get vibration when braking, this will be felt through whatever is connected tot eh vibration source.

Brake pedal, steering wheel or through the body frame depending on which end it's coming from.