Rear disk brakes change

[alexmolinavr6]

My 02 has drum brakes on the back.

If i find the system from a newer one, are they plug in play?

What do I need to convert?

Thanks!

 

[Mangate]

The rear disc brake setup is prone to loud groaning when cold. I've seen lots of posts on calipers sticking too. You then have to have shoes for the parking brake. I think you are better off with the drums on the back, last longer than pads as well. I have one KJ with drums and one with discs.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

What he said. Keep the drums

 

[ChiefRudy]

I never had a problem with my rear discs

Except the ESP eats them up.

 

[kj924]

For the cost and maintenance of the rear disks....keep the drum brakes.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Drums are fine. I got discs. Only thing that comes to mind with drums is going water fording, as the drain might be over whelmed.

But since you're 2wd...I doubt you'll ever be in 2ft of water...

 

[dh010447]

My 02 has drum brakes on the back.

If i find the system from a newer one, are they plug in play?

What do I need to convert?

Thanks!

I was thinking of trying to do that too... My breaks seem to suck, although all i have to compare it to is my 07 GTI with super breaks.

Also, my front breaks seem to lock and i end up skidding, especially in wet weather. Is that normal or do i just have crappy tyres?

 

[tommudd]

Drum brakes are tired and true, super easy to work on
Disc aren't bad to change even easier
nothing wrong with them
very few have had problems with sticking calipers
They do not wear faster then drum in my book
My rear disc's lasted over 135,000 miles what else do you want
I would switch if it was mine
Seems some are still afraid of drums much like when disc's came out
Years ago I was a Brake and Front Suspension Specialist, all I did every day was brakes, alignments, front end work 10 hours a day

 

[jnaut]

My 2 cents, disk brakes are very easy to work on. I've done mine all around.

I can't speak too strongly about never having problems with them though, just posted a thread last week where my rear brake caliper had failed and was sticking. So I can't claim that they're 100% problem free. But I'm one case.

Having said that, I'm not exactly an expert wrench turner, and I was able to swap the caliper out with a new one in something like 15 minutes. And the reman'd one from NAPA was like $50 and comes with a lifetime warranty. So it's not exactly a tragedy if a caliper does fail.

As far as longevity, my front brake pads lasted over 70,000 miles, and my rear brakes would have lasted much longer had the caliper not failed, causing one pad to wear to metal. The other side which still had a good caliper still had a lot of pad left and I'm at 85,000 miles. So I can say that rear discs (if working properly) would probably easily wear to 100,000 miles or more.

 

[TAwesome]

I was thinking of trying to do that too... My breaks seem to suck, although all i have to compare it to is my 07 GTI with super breaks.

Also, my front breaks seem to lock and i end up skidding, especially in wet weather. Is that normal or do i just have crappy tyres?

I don't think you have tires just crappy spelling!!

 

[tjkj2002]

The '02's with rear drums have a super parking brake compared to rear disc braked KJ's

If your braking seems to be lacking time to take the rear drums off,use brake cleaner to clean them up and then adjust them.The drums should be cleaned and adjusted once a year anyways.You will be amazed at the difference when the rear drums are adjusted properly.

 

[ptsb5a]

Perfectly cool to spell tires tyres when you live anywhere other than the USA.

Swapping to discs in the rear might also involve a new Master Cylinder, the residual pressure for discs is less than that for drum brake applications. If you can find a wrecked KJ with a rear disc axle, rob all the parts you need and get 'er done.

 

[tjkj2002]

Parts you will need..................

--proportioning valve for 4 wheel dis brakes for non-ABS
--ABS module/pump for 4 wheel disc brakes if you have ABS
--rear disc backing plates with parking brake assemblies
--rear disc brake parking cables(different from the drums)
--rear discs
--rear calipers
--rear hard lines for rear discs
--rear soft lines for rear discs

Master cylinder does not need to be swapped.


All a pretty easy job besides replacing the parking brake cables,the rear seats,center console,and the carpet needs to be removed to replace the cables.I know I had to do it for my SFA swap.


Oh and I miss my rear drums,much better parking brake.

 

[ptsb5a]

Parts you will need..................

--proportioning valve for 4 wheel dis brakes for non-ABS
--ABS module/pump for 4 wheel disc brakes if you have ABS
--rear disc backing plates with parking brake assemblies
--rear disc brake parking cables(different from the drums)
--rear discs
--rear calipers
--rear hard lines for rear discs
--rear soft lines for rear discs

Master cylinder does not need to be swapped.
.

Sorry Troy, didn't think that the KJ had a proportioning valve. Though it may have been intergral to the Master Cylinder. I know that I had to buy residual pressure valves from SSB when I did a rear disc conversion on my Chevelle. Deep sixed the proportioning valve in favour of the residual pressure valves and an adjustable front-rear bias valve.

 

[tjkj2002]

Sorry Troy, didn't think that the KJ had a proportioning valve. Though it may have been intergral to the Master Cylinder. I know that I had to buy residual pressure valves from SSB when I did a rear disc conversion on my Chevelle. Deep sixed the proportioning valve in favour of the residual pressure valves and an adjustable front-rear bias valve.

Yep for non-ABS KJ's there is a proportioning valve,right underneath(and towards the passenger side) the master cylinder.

Pic of mine...........

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[dh010447]

Perfectly cool to spell tires tyres when you live anywhere other than the USA.

Thanks ptsb5a - I'm a brit living in the USA, I only do it to confuse the locals

However, I'll let him have the 'Break' spelling

 

[ptsb5a]

Thanks ptsb5a - I'm a brit living in the USA, I only do it to confuse the locals

However, I'll let him have the 'Break' spelling

Solidarity bro, I've got Elizabeth II on my cash too.

 

[dh010447]

The '02's with rear drums have a super parking brake compared to rear disc braked KJ's

If your braking seems to be lacking time to take the rear drums off,use brake cleaner to clean them up and then adjust them.The drums should be cleaned and adjusted once a year anyways.You will be amazed at the difference when the rear drums are adjusted properly.

Thanks tjkj2002 - It's due for its next oil change soon (now!) so I might get them checked out then. If they can make them work better then that would be great

 

[dh010447]

Solidarity bro, I've got Elizabeth II on my cash too.

Hey - where do you live in Alberta? I have a friend who lives in Edmonton. I hear there was snow last week... Down here, its 30 degrees plus - hot hot hot

 

[ptsb5a]

Hey - where do you live in Alberta? I have a friend who lives in Edmonton. I hear there was snow last week... Down here, its 30 degrees plus - hot hot hot

Further north than Edmonton. And yeah, we had snow last weekend too. Then rain all week, and finally today some sunshine.

I smell a thread jack comin' on.