Disc brake conversion on R4 F4

[Tomcat]

I am considering doing a disc brake conversion on my new R2106 with drums all round and front handbrake.
Has anyone done this conversion and has a listing of the parts required please.
Any information appreciated. Thanks

 

[harbourseal]

Hi Tom,
That isn't an easy conversion
You need
2 brake discs
2 disc brake calipers and the brackets that hold them
2 other wheel hubs (the rounded of triangular type) the round ones on the drum brakes won't do.
2 sets of brake pads for disc brakes
2 sets of anti rattle springs
Maybe a new set of wheels. The older type of wheels rub against the calipers. GTL wheels and alloys are fine.

You need to move the handbrake to the back-wheels

You need
2 other back wheel anchor plates suitable for handbrake
2 long handbrake cables
A handbrake assembly for in between the front seats.
If you are lucky you might be able to find a special conversion kit. Then you can leave the handbrake handle on the firewall.



orderlist





Product Aantal Totaal

2 front wheel hub L=R ( syst. Schijfrem)


€ 93,00

2 handbrake cables L=R 4 GTL - Clan - R4F4 - Savanne mod 84->


€ 29,00

brake caliper Bendix L ( 87,50 + 35,- statiegeld )


€ 122,50

brake caliper Bendix R ( 87,50 + 35,- statiegeld )


€ 122,50

Set of disc brakes


€ 56,50

-58%

brake pads Bendix , prod. Delco


€ 12,25

anti rattle springs syst. Bendix (set)


€ 19,75

Total € 455,50

This doesn't include the brake caliper brackets, the handbrake assembly and the rear brake anchor plates. Those you'll have to take from the scrapyard

 

[angel]

If you have 160mm rear wheel drums, you will need a pair of 180mm ones, in order to fit the backplates with the handbrake provision.The front stub axle carriers are also different fro the disc brake models, you will also need a pair of them.
In general, it's better to obtain all parts as a lot from a scrapyard, then replace wheel cylinders, caliper seals, and brake pads and possibly discs with new ones.

 

[mr-reno-139]

3 Facebook groups and I come back here and Tom has posted here as well

 

[Thomas Vinnicombe]

Goodness gracious me that's a lot of kit. I did mention it to Paul yesterday and he seemed to like the original wheels so will stick with that for the moment. Thanks though I will keep that list for future reference.

 

[David M]

I’m not sure of my ground here.
So don’t flame me. We didn’t get later models of the R4 here in Australia.

I thought that the early models had a spring loaded steering rack and a (predetermined) steering camber that was dictated by (mainly) the length of the lower wishbone.
Later models had a different steering rack and lower wishbone (and torsion bars) as I understand.
So my thought is that, replacing the cast iron upright to allow for the caliper, will change the steering geometry. I did not think that they were interchangeable.

I’m happy to be corrected, as the possibility of an easy retrofit would give a few people here something to play with.

 

[Tomcat]

3 Facebook groups and I come back here and Tom has posted here as well

Paul.
I only asked the question on 1 group on Facebook.
My belief is that the people on RCCC and on here vary and so I will get a better set of comments.
All knowledge is good!!

 

[Tomcat]

Hi Tom,
That isn't an easy conversion
You need
2 brake discs
2 disc brake calipers and the brackets that hold them
2 other wheel hubs (the rounded of triangular type) the round ones on the drum brakes won't do.
2 sets of brake pads for disc brakes
2 sets of anti rattle springs
Maybe a new set of wheels. The older type of wheels rub against the calipers. GTL wheels and alloys are fine.

You need to move the handbrake to the back-wheels

You need
2 other back wheel anchor plates suitable for handbrake
2 long handbrake cables
A handbrake assembly for in between the front seats.
If you are lucky you might be able to find a special conversion kit. Then you can leave the handbrake handle on the firewall.



orderlist





Product Aantal Totaal

2 front wheel hub L=R ( syst. Schijfrem)


€ 93,00

2 handbrake cables L=R 4 GTL - Clan - R4F4 - Savanne mod 84->


€ 29,00

brake caliper Bendix L ( 87,50 + 35,- statiegeld )


€ 122,50

brake caliper Bendix R ( 87,50 + 35,- statiegeld )


€ 122,50

Set of disc brakes


€ 56,50

-58%

brake pads Bendix , prod. Delco


€ 12,25

anti rattle springs syst. Bendix (set)


€ 19,75

Total € 455,50

This doesn't include the brake caliper brackets, the handbrake assembly and the rear brake anchor plates. Those you'll have to take from the scrapyard

Robert
Thank you for the very exhaustive list of items. Very much appreciated.
Best regards
Tom

 

[Tomcat]

My new purchase came with some spares.

 

[Tomcat]

If you have 160mm rear wheel drums, you will need a pair of 180mm ones, in order to fit the backplates with the handbrake provision.The front stub axle carriers are also different fro the disc brake models, you will also need a pair of them.
In general, it's better to obtain all parts as a lot from a scrapyard, then replace wheel cylinders, caliper seals, and brake pads and possibly discs with new ones.

Angel
Thank you for your informative comments.

 

[angel]

To David: Your thought is right, but it is possible to replace the complete front suspension, including the upright wishbone carriers which are different, in order to fit front disc brakes.
But then, moving to the rear brakes, you will find that neither the brake backplate, nor the wheel bearings of the large drums are compatible with the early suspension arms, so the whole rear axle will need to be replaced...