Improving the Braking

OberonViking · Improving the Braking

I would like the bus to brake better. I feel that it takes a bit too much effort on the pedal, and that there is a lag time between applying pressure and feeling deceleration.

This was something I brought up with Kimm Garland of Indian Automotive. He said that they felt fine. There was some minor improvements to be made in the adjustments, and the servo felt a little weak, but overall the brakes were good.

I suppose this comes from my daily driver being a lightweight with 4 wheel discs.

Any suggestions? Is it worth the expense of a disc brake conversion for the rear? A strong brake servo?

Brookie

You can get disc conversion for rear but seeing a Kombi still outbrakes most other people movers I would just make sure discs and everything else is clean and you have right pads and linings.
The after 72 Bays have same disc as Porsche of that era.

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OberonViking

That doesn't surprise me. I thought that it might be mostly the different experience of driving the little Pulsar with 4 wheel discs with a firm suspension ride compared to the soft ride from the heavier bus.

Brookie

My grandaughter has Pulsar with 4 wheel discs and they do brake reasonably well.
Make sure your tyre pressures are spot on.
30lb in front
40lb in back.

There are articles on tyre pressure in this section and show the minor variations between models.
Touring in our camper I run 31 in front and 44 in back.

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Phat bus

There's a Wilwood brake caliper conversion available for bay disc brakes. 2005 VW Camper & Bus issue two, page 90 covers the conversion.

Brookie

If you are going to go to racebrakes you might as well use APs-they sell all over the world and are based in Sydney.

Like other brakes of this type they are not cheap and usually you will never get the pads they use up to correct operating temps.

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humpty

If you upgrade the pads, you could see some improvements, as long as everything else is up to scratch.... But if you want more, you could make your own....

Not too tough if you can fabricate.... I have 4 piston RX7 calipers and Supra rotors on the front of my Notch and Magna calipers and rotors on the rear... It stops on a dime.... On my bus I'm building up some GTR Skyline 4 pots for the front with GTB Subi rotors and ventilated Falcon brakes on the rear... A short time ago I made a four wheel disc brake kit for Reuben Bourke's 58 bug up in Darwin... This is a 205PCD kit with Commodore front and Pintara rear calipers.... He says the car stops very well!

My brother has a complete set of late Porsche (911/996/944 parts) brakes on his BD23....

So as you can see.... Anything can be done....

OberonViking

hmmm... I've got a good condition '94 Commodore I don't like much, and when the bus is ready the Crumblydoor isn't needed anymore.
Perhaps the 3.8L V6 should go into the DC, and the disc brakes along with it.
Though that is not improving the brakes on the wife's bus... hmmmm... so hard to stay focused...

humpty