Member
About 4 years ago, I upgraded my D1 front brakes to thicker vented discs using an aftermarket caliper spacer kit. It involved splitting the calipers to fit the spacers.
The kit came from over in the UK, but I can't remember the name of the supplier.
This upgrade was done to get around a heat fade problem when towing horses down long winding hills - it has been working fine until recently when I noticed that there is brake fluid seeping from the areas where the spacers were fitted.
I'm guessing that the squared off o-rings in the calipers will need to be replaced to fix this, but can't seem to locate anywhere to purchase them - does anyone have a suggestion where they can be found?
As the caliper pistons and seals are also probably due to be replaced soon, I was looking into the option of just buying a set of new Defender 110 front calipers (which have the spacers already in place to suit the vented discs), as it could be cheaper/easier than repairing the existing Disco calipers.
However, from what I can see of the Defender calipers, the single brake line attaches to the rear centre of the caliper, rather than the rear end of the Disco ones.
Has anyone done the 110 caliper conversion, and if so, what did you do about attaching the steel brake line to the caliper?
Thanks
Peter
AT REST
Graham Coopers at St. Peters in Sydney sell a kit to widen the caliper to fit the ventilated discs, consists of spacers, bolts and O rings, he might be able to suplly O rings. Also get in touch with brake manufacturers, DBA or even Repco, Regards Frank.
Also check that the pistons are still smooth and not corroded[chewing out the seal], I replaced the corroded pistons in my 110 and with in 2 years they were stuffed again[beach work], so i then replaced all the pistons with stainless ones from the UK
Member
Thanks for the replies.
After a lot of searching, I've found the the internal caliper o-rings are now available as individual parts, and can be purchased from quite a few websites in the UK for just a couple of dollars each - if anyone else needs them when they split their calipers, the part number to search on is 17H8764L
Peter
Fossicker
can you please advise where you got these spacers???Originally Posted by pdunlop
i am looking at up grading to vented disc's but it is starting to look like alot of work!
I'm guessing with these spacers it will be as easy as fitting the vented disc's and fitting the spacers to the calipers???????
Master
Try Zeus Engineering in the UK. Zeus Engineering I bought a couple of sets from them about a year ago (myself and a mate) and they were good to deal with and relatively cheap (Worked out to be around $100 per kit delivered from hazy memory - (not discs or pads)). Mind you... I still have both kits as we both decided to just get the bigger Defender calipers and put those on instead
DiscoClax
'94 D1 3dr Aegean Blue - 300ci stroker RV8, 4HP24 & Compushift, usual bar-work, various APT gear, 235/85 M/Ts, 3deg arms, Detroit lockers, $$$$, etc.
'08 RRS TDV8 Rimini Red - 285/60R18 Falken AT3Ws, Rock slider-steps, APT full under-protection, Mitch Hitch, Tradesman rack, Traxide DBS, Gap IID
Master
I just put the larger Defender calipers on. 46mm pistons I think.
I got two coat hangers and bent them to the shape and length I wanted for the new metal lines. Took these to a brake shop and had new lines made up for $25.
I also upgraded to vented disks at the same time.
I tow a camper trailer, and on our recent trip the Disco and camper came in at 4.5t.
Do they stop better than they used to? HELL YEAH. There is no doubt about it. The front wheels lock up when I stomp down. Never used to before.
I bought the new Defender calipers from England.
Master
I got mine from DLS in the UK. items in DLS LAND ROVER SPARES UK store on eBay!
Cost me a bit under $150 for each side (genuine OE calipers) plus a bit of shipping. Can't say exactly how much shipping as it was part of a larger order, but probably in the order of $40-50. They also have (much cheaper) non-genuine calipers on there, but for that price why would you...? Available to suit both solid and vented discs, and the Disco, RRC and Defo discs are identical so no dramas there.
There is enough length in the hard brake line to shorten it a bit and re-bend it with a new flare (assuming you have access to the correct flaring tool). Basically, instead of the line doing a U-turn back into the caliper, it plugs into the inside face (90deg bend). But getting new ones made for $25 sounds like a pretty good deal to me
DiscoClax
'94 D1 3dr Aegean Blue - 300ci stroker RV8, 4HP24 & Compushift, usual bar-work, various APT gear, 235/85 M/Ts, 3deg arms, Detroit lockers, $$$$, etc.
'08 RRS TDV8 Rimini Red - 285/60R18 Falken AT3Ws, Rock slider-steps, APT full under-protection, Mitch Hitch, Tradesman rack, Traxide DBS, Gap IID
Fossicker
Just to confirm...
you removed your solid disc calipers and disc's and defender ones just bolted straight on??? no modifications apart from the brake lines????
what disc's did you use??? i'm running 35" tyres so i need the best braking i can get!
Swaggie
On MA onward (1994/5) Disco with 1 brake hose per side, it is as easy as fitting the Defender vented disc to the original hub, they are the same as defender ones, the caliper bolts to the same mounts, and the brake hose CAN be bent to fit with ease, BUT sometimes it is better to get a new one made.
You can also do the rears, defenders use D1 front solid discs as their rears, and the dfender rear calipers again bolt straight on, pipes are also no problem.
A very worthwhile conversion for vehicles with big tyres.
JC
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