easy way to make brakes better?
07-26-2006, 02:22 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 35
easy way to make brakes better?
is there any cheap ways or quick fixes to make your brakes more responsive? i've noticed lately in my XB that our brakes are actually VERY ____ty.... i've had to make a few quick stops and to be honest, had i not been able to switch lanes i would be in the back of the car in front of me...
it just seems like the brakes could be a lot more responsive... are there any quick fixes to make them better other than replacing the rotors?
it just seems like the brakes could be a lot more responsive... are there any quick fixes to make them better other than replacing the rotors?
07-26-2006, 03:53 PM
#6
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,457
Originally Posted by superspud
im sorry, but if you think the brakes are good on an Xb you are sadly mistaken.... have you ever driven anything else? my dads toyota tundra stopped better than this thing...
I think a lot of it depends on your driving style.
If you are looking to improve upon them though, go for larger rotors and calipers.
07-26-2006, 04:39 PM
#7
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,066
Step 1: New Pads. Buy a performance pad, not just direct replacement.
Step 2: Steel braided brake lines. This will give a more positive feel to the brakes.
Step 3: Upgraded rotors. Slotted most likely. This will help vent gases and keep the brakes from overheating during extended use.
And not to promote one company over another but, you can find all those parts at http://www.ptuning.com If you use the "ptscionlife" discount code you can get all of the parts for under $350 shipped. And as long as you are changing all of that out, you might as well throw in some synthetic brake fluid. You can probably pick it up locally at a reasonable price.
If that isn't enough for you, I doubt anything else will be. But you do always have the option of upgrading to a big brake kit. Just keep in mind that if you do that, you will need oversized wheels and it will cost you several thousand just for the brake kit.
Good luck.
Step 2: Steel braided brake lines. This will give a more positive feel to the brakes.
Step 3: Upgraded rotors. Slotted most likely. This will help vent gases and keep the brakes from overheating during extended use.
And not to promote one company over another but, you can find all those parts at http://www.ptuning.com If you use the "ptscionlife" discount code you can get all of the parts for under $350 shipped. And as long as you are changing all of that out, you might as well throw in some synthetic brake fluid. You can probably pick it up locally at a reasonable price.
If that isn't enough for you, I doubt anything else will be. But you do always have the option of upgrading to a big brake kit. Just keep in mind that if you do that, you will need oversized wheels and it will cost you several thousand just for the brake kit.
Good luck.
07-26-2006, 04:44 PM
#8
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,125
These scions do have good stock brakes, compared to everything else in the market (not toyota), it has great brakes. But if your looking for more grip do what i did (and i auto-x regularly):
1.) Pads: Hawk HPS or EBC Green Stuff
2.) Braided SS Lines: Agency Power or Footwork
3.) Brake Fluid: Motul Race fluid
4.) Have them correctly installed and bled.
*Remeber: This will give you GRIP not BITE (big difference). If your looking for bite than your going to have to change the rotors, but in my opinion if you dont race then leave the rotors as they are.
I did these changes to my car and the brake feel reminds me of a porsche we once rented in Miami. ITS THAT GOOD!! The porsche wasnt a high end turbo with ceramic brakes it was a basic convertible carrera, but if your have ever driven a porsche defore you know what i mean. Do as i said and beleive me you WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!
1.) Pads: Hawk HPS or EBC Green Stuff
2.) Braided SS Lines: Agency Power or Footwork
3.) Brake Fluid: Motul Race fluid
4.) Have them correctly installed and bled.
*Remeber: This will give you GRIP not BITE (big difference). If your looking for bite than your going to have to change the rotors, but in my opinion if you dont race then leave the rotors as they are.
I did these changes to my car and the brake feel reminds me of a porsche we once rented in Miami. ITS THAT GOOD!! The porsche wasnt a high end turbo with ceramic brakes it was a basic convertible carrera, but if your have ever driven a porsche defore you know what i mean. Do as i said and beleive me you WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!
07-27-2006, 05:48 PM
#13
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,258
Originally Posted by superspud
is there any way to adjust the brake pedal? i remember reading an article in SCC about dave coleman adjusting the pedal in an subaru forester...
isnt there away to tightne the brake pedal?
isnt there away to tightne the brake pedal?
07-27-2006, 06:46 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 35
it was over a year ago b/c dave was still writting the technobable... other than that, i have no idea... its grab a stack and go through all the technobables b/c its one of those... he was converting the forester to drive like a car... he switched a bunch of parts with a WRX
07-27-2006, 08:13 PM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 35
i almost 100% sure you can... i've been talking to my buddy who is a mecahnic who drives a nice s14 and he told me to hop down and look under my dash.. follow my brake pedal up to where it goes into the firewall and there should be a screw or nut or somehting that allows you to adjust the tension or amount of slack the pedal has.... im going to check that out thisweekend...
07-28-2006, 12:03 AM
#17
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,735
Re: easy way to make brakes better?
Originally Posted by superspud
... i've noticed lately in my XB that our brakes are actually VERY ____ty.....
07-28-2006, 01:48 AM
#19
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Denver, Co
Posts: 464
Fatter grippier tireswill improve dry pavement stopping distance on many cars, and the steel braided brake hoses improve pedal feel...
Aftermarket pads and drilled/slotted rotors don't necessarily improve panic braking, because that's not what they're supposed to do. They're supposed to improve longevity, heat resistance and fade under continuous hard use, and may actually exhibit reduced performance and higher pedal pressure at low temps...
Turning off the antilock feature on the brakes can improve dry pavement stopping distance for extremely expert drivers, and I do not recommend that anybody do it on street cars... that may or may not be the case with Scions, dunno...
Aftermarket pads and drilled/slotted rotors don't necessarily improve panic braking, because that's not what they're supposed to do. They're supposed to improve longevity, heat resistance and fade under continuous hard use, and may actually exhibit reduced performance and higher pedal pressure at low temps...
Turning off the antilock feature on the brakes can improve dry pavement stopping distance for extremely expert drivers, and I do not recommend that anybody do it on street cars... that may or may not be the case with Scions, dunno...
07-28-2006, 04:16 AM
#20
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,125
When i go racing with my scion i do turn off the ABS, it really gets in the way when your trying to get the max out of the brakes. I still think your best bet in the SS lines, for improved brake feel, without a doubt.