suggestions for brakes

[Guest TurboSedan]

while we're on the topic of the bigger front rotors i am very interested in this upgrade but im trying to figure what im getting myself into. i know i need a new strut/knuckle. but what exactly is this if i have to worry about compressing the springs? is it the whole shaft that runs from the plates under the hood to the axle? i went to the junker yesterday but all the cars on the list were raped of parts. so i may end up buying those part # from gmpartsdirect.com for 124 each. what will come in the mail if i order those? there is no picture on the site. is this upgrade even worth the effort? or should i just put better quality stock size components up front and do the 94+ rear upgrade out back ?

 

 

all depends on if you can get a good deal on used strut/knuckle assemblies i guess. i got my pair from a 49,000 mile '97 Cutlass for $100 w/springs. you'll obviously need new rotors & pads but i'm not sure off hand what they'll cost at the moment :?: i bought a cheapo strut spring compressor from Harbor Freight Tools, but when i tried to use it it didn't quite compress the spring enough so that i could safely take the spring out. i have Eibach front 1.5 drop springs that will be getting 1/4 coil cut off so i have to take the springs out anyway otherwise i'd just leave the spring in thier :? your existing calipers will work fine, depending on thier condition.

 

the whole reason you need to swap strut/knuckle assemblies is because the caliper mounting bracket is welded in a different spot to clear the bigger rotor. pretty much the only gain is rotor size. pad size isn't different, and you reuse your old calipers. but going from 10.5" to 11.25" is substantial IMO, so i'm gonna do it - ecspecially when the front brakes do around 75% of the braking

 

the rear upgrade however uses much better designed calipers, and the rotors are 10.1" vs. 11". the pad size is the same tho. their really isn't too much braking performance to be had with the '94+ rear upgrade, it's mostly done to replace the crappy old '88-'93 calipers and you get bigger rotors in the process. getting the e-brake to work can be tricky tho.

 

joshua