SuperHO
Mental Patient
Shoaz said:
To quote your avatar, sweeeeeeeeet!
this brake upgrade thing is stupid, need answer asap
- Thread starter rksc90
- Start date
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To quote your avatar, sweeeeeeeeet!
My spindles were donated from a '94 Sable wagon. You do not need SHO spindles, as they are the same as the Taurus/Sable spindles from 94-95. My calipers are loaded from AutoZone and are utter pieces of crap. Advanced sells the same garbage. Look elsewhere for loaded calipers, like a local parts store or a NAPA or Levines that can get more quality parts. Same with the Moroso rotors I purchased from AutoZone. Not happey with them, they warp and blue very easily.
And paint the calipers before installation. You'll love yourself for it.
Also, consider new wheel bearing and hub assemblies. After installing the junkyard knuckles with "good" wheelbearings, both stub shafts spun in the inner races in 10,000 miles and I had to replace both.
Buy quality parts, especially when it comes to brakes. It's a part of the car that should not be taken lightly or have crappy replacement parts. Lesson learned here.
And paint the calipers before installation. You'll love yourself for it.
Also, consider new wheel bearing and hub assemblies. After installing the junkyard knuckles with "good" wheelbearings, both stub shafts spun in the inner races in 10,000 miles and I had to replace both.
Buy quality parts, especially when it comes to brakes. It's a part of the car that should not be taken lightly or have crappy replacement parts. Lesson learned here.
Rockledge
Pluggin' away
As is often your style Chris, you seemed to have added in a good dose of subjectiveness along with some decent objective advice.
The loaded calipers (rebuilts) I got through Advanced have "Ford" stamped on them and are obvioulsy OEM parts, so they aren't garbage. Most importantly, they came with the correct brackets. My local Napa tried to sell me the wrong type of caliper brackets with their loaded calipers, just like AZ did, and so getting them from either parts store was not an option for me. In fact, it surprises me to hear that you were able to get the proper caliper brackets for the '96+ upgrade from AZ, I haven't heard of anyone else being that lucky.
On the other hand, the new rotors I picked up from AZ are working out fine, I made sure I broke them in (bed) them properly and they have so far (15K or so) performed flawlessly.
So I'd have to say that my experience has been different from yours with regard to a few things.
The loaded calipers (rebuilts) I got through Advanced have "Ford" stamped on them and are obvioulsy OEM parts, so they aren't garbage. Most importantly, they came with the correct brackets. My local Napa tried to sell me the wrong type of caliper brackets with their loaded calipers, just like AZ did, and so getting them from either parts store was not an option for me. In fact, it surprises me to hear that you were able to get the proper caliper brackets for the '96+ upgrade from AZ, I haven't heard of anyone else being that lucky.
On the other hand, the new rotors I picked up from AZ are working out fine, I made sure I broke them in (bed) them properly and they have so far (15K or so) performed flawlessly.
So I'd have to say that my experience has been different from yours with regard to a few things.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
I really appreciate this, guys.....I thought I was gonna have to dump a grand or so on the 96+ upgrade....now only to find out for about $350, I can get it done (I refuse to plug a redneck joke here...). Thanks muchly!
My calipers are Ford units from AutoZone... that's why they were correct. The upgrade was worth it, but if I had to do it again, I'd spend a little more money and do some research to get better calipers. Not those clunky, super heavy, flash-rusting units that are residing behind my clunky, rusted wheels. 
I've since switched pads with the Moroso rotors. Lets see how these new Semi-Mets do. The first pads I used were ceramics. Not good with those rotors. They blued in a coupla thousand miles. Then I switched to whatever was laying around. Pads I had purchased incase the ceramics didn't work out. I had to remachine the rotors again because of groves from the cheap pads. Now, the pads that came with the loaded calipers are on the car. Hoping for the best.
I guess I think they're garbage because I don't care for floating calipers. These babies sure are better than the stock '91 units, though!
And BTW, I like the local parts stores b/c they are easier to deal with and -in general- they sell more quality parts. AutoZone won't give you Felpro gaskets, Gates belts, BCA hub/wb sets, and all the other good stuff I prefer to use. They'll just as easily sell a poor knockoff part made in china for the same price or a few bucks less.
Thanks to the boys at ACME Auto, Exact Auto, and Bethel Auto, I can get the parts I need. Often with discounts.
BTW, I had to go on a wild goose hunt for the mounting bolts that AutoZone didn't have. Nor did Advance, Ford, NAPA, or Levines. But Meeker hardware came through in the bind. Advice: get ALL the parts you need first, and then start the project. I can't tell you how many times I ran to the parts store... 25 minutes away!
I've since switched pads with the Moroso rotors. Lets see how these new Semi-Mets do. The first pads I used were ceramics. Not good with those rotors. They blued in a coupla thousand miles. Then I switched to whatever was laying around. Pads I had purchased incase the ceramics didn't work out. I had to remachine the rotors again because of groves from the cheap pads. Now, the pads that came with the loaded calipers are on the car. Hoping for the best.
I guess I think they're garbage because I don't care for floating calipers. These babies sure are better than the stock '91 units, though!
And BTW, I like the local parts stores b/c they are easier to deal with and -in general- they sell more quality parts. AutoZone won't give you Felpro gaskets, Gates belts, BCA hub/wb sets, and all the other good stuff I prefer to use. They'll just as easily sell a poor knockoff part made in china for the same price or a few bucks less.
Thanks to the boys at ACME Auto, Exact Auto, and Bethel Auto, I can get the parts I need. Often with discounts.
BTW, I had to go on a wild goose hunt for the mounting bolts that AutoZone didn't have. Nor did Advance, Ford, NAPA, or Levines. But Meeker hardware came through in the bind.
Advice: get ALL the parts you need first, and then start the project. I can't tell you how many times I ran to the parts store... 25 minutes away!DHMag
Free At Last
rksc90 said:theres lots of combinations, I really want to buy the PBR calipers off a Mustang (dual piston ) with 11.6" rotors but I heard they only fit with 17" rims and I think?
11.6" rotors from a 96 SHO, Cobra Calipers from an 03 Mustang Cobra with modified caliper brackets under slicers on my car. the max size rotor with Cobra caliper that can be squeezed under a slicer wheel is 12.2" but its a tight fit.
from what i understand the Cobra and GT PBR brackets are different, the GTs used 12" rotors and the Cobras used 13"? any of this correct? So the Mustang guys upgrade to Cobra/Bullit/Mach 1 brakes with pads?/brackets and calipers, heres my NEW problem... 
.
I bought the GT PBR calipers/pads/brackets but they dont fit over the Lincoln/SHO rotors by like 1/4"
, so can I use the Cobra calipers/brackets so dont have to modify anything, or I still do?
The other option is to use the 97 SLO rotors under the calipers which I know should work
I went with the Mustang setup because EVERYONE listed the 97 SHO and SLO as having the same brackets/calipers as the 94 Continental up here, so I knew they were wrong
problem... . I bought the GT PBR calipers/pads/brackets but they dont fit over the Lincoln/SHO rotors by like 1/4"
, so can I use the Cobra calipers/brackets so dont have to modify anything, or I still do?The other option is to use the 97 SLO rotors under the calipers which I know should work
I went with the Mustang setup because EVERYONE listed the 97 SHO and SLO as having the same brackets/calipers as the 94 Continental up here, so I knew they were wrong
DHMag
Free At Last
IIRC, the GTs used 11.2" rotors. and the Cobra is a 13" rotor. you say they dont fit, could you clarify if the pads dont cover the rotor face or if the rotor is too thick/thin for the calipers.
i also believe the caliper brackets are different because the pads are different. how they mount is the same, hence an easy upgrade for Mustang owners.
i also believe the caliper brackets are different because the pads are different. how they mount is the same, hence an easy upgrade for Mustang owners.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
Okay...I'm getting confused. What's the best way to go about this? Cobra calipers? GT brackets?? Will someone, for the love of all things holy, please tell me what the best combo would be without getting too crazy and expensive?
Not trying to be a dick....just lost in the sauce, man...
Not trying to be a dick....just lost in the sauce, man...
Shoaz
Studly dood
The thread now seems to be about two different brake sets...the 96 upgrade for you and a PBR-based kit for rksc90. The Cobra/PBR discussion should be kept separate from the 96 upgrade discussion...different brackets, calipers, etc...
SuperHO
Mental Patient
ooooooookay.........
I found another possible option 
, i took off the brakes on my Crown Victoria Interceptor and it has cast iron dual piston 42mm?pistons (bigger than the PBR from what I could tell, 38s?), the brackets also an inch longer than the PBRs, so I guess if you found 13" rotors with the right "hub/hat" offset they would work by enlarging the 94/95 bracket holes by using the dual pistons bracket bolts and maybe using the dual pistons banjo bolts in-case they are different.
only problem is I cant use my 16" rims I think :corn:
I think it would also be better asking the parts store for 2001 up Taurus calipers/brackets since they are the same as the 96 up SHO?, less confusion that way between models
, i took off the brakes on my Crown Victoria Interceptor and it has cast iron dual piston 42mm?pistons (bigger than the PBR from what I could tell, 38s?), the brackets also an inch longer than the PBRs, so I guess if you found 13" rotors with the right "hub/hat" offset they would work by enlarging the 94/95 bracket holes by using the dual pistons bracket bolts and maybe using the dual pistons banjo bolts in-case they are different.only problem is I cant use my 16" rims I think :corn:
I think it would also be better asking the parts store for 2001 up Taurus calipers/brackets since they are the same as the 96 up SHO?, less confusion that way between models
DHMag
Free At Last
Cobra calipers from Ebay. $250 buys you 2 Cobra calipers with caliper brackets and pads. from centerline of the tapped hole, measure .7" towards the caliper. centerpunch then drill then tap. the "boss" needs to be trimmed off the same side. IIRC, the edge of the boss is nearly .7" from the original bolt hole. you can use the original caliper bracket bolts from the 94-95 knuckles but they will need to be trimmed 3/16". an alternative is to take one to your fave hardware store and buy 4 of them 5mm shoter than stock.
then go to your fave parts store and buy 2 front rotors for a 96 SHO. put it all together and you have an 11.6 upgrade with Cobra calipers.
then go to your fave parts store and buy 2 front rotors for a 96 SHO. put it all together and you have an 11.6 upgrade with Cobra calipers.
SuperHO said:
SuperHO
Mental Patient
Thank you, kind sir. Damned big of you. Only one more question......and don't laugh......can you convert .7 to fractions? I know that's just under 3/4", but I want exacts, ya know? This is not something I wanna screw up.
DHMag
Free At Last
SuperHO said:
im too tired to search some numerical conversions but i just measured 3/4", marked with a scribe, used .050" feeler gauge centered on scribe mark, then scribed again and center punched.
*note* the feeler gauge is placed between the scribe mark and the original tapped hole.
F-22 Raptor SHO
New Member
Been there done that...hard to understand what you need and what is sauce:
Buy the following:
1: 94/95 hub assembly (both sides) sounds like you have this already
2: Go to NAPA order the prepacked caliper for the 95 Lincoln Continental (about 60 bucks a side)
3: Order the rotors for the same lincoln (about 40 a pair).
The pre packed caliper has the brackets you need and a new set of pads, and a caliper to boot.
Put it all on the car....your cost: less than 200.00.
Buy the following:
1: 94/95 hub assembly (both sides) sounds like you have this already
2: Go to NAPA order the prepacked caliper for the 95 Lincoln Continental (about 60 bucks a side)
3: Order the rotors for the same lincoln (about 40 a pair).
The pre packed caliper has the brackets you need and a new set of pads, and a caliper to boot.
Put it all on the car....your cost: less than 200.00.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
Bless you, sir! Bless you muchly!!ok I figured out my stupid combination, this is what I bought
94 taurus knuckles
99 Mustang GT (non GT?) dual piston PBR calipers
99 Mustang caliper brackets
99 Mustang PBR pads
98 Taurus rotors,11"
other years may fit also
this gives me an 11 rotor :***:
if I knew earlier I think I could of used the 11.6" rotor with the 01 up? Toreass caliper assembly <--yes no?????
some place sells this package, so will I notice a difference?
94 taurus knuckles
99 Mustang GT (non GT?) dual piston PBR calipers
99 Mustang caliper brackets
99 Mustang PBR pads
98 Taurus rotors,11"
other years may fit also
this gives me an 11 rotor :***:
if I knew earlier I think I could of used the 11.6" rotor with the 01 up? Toreass caliper assembly <--yes no?????
some place sells this package, so will I notice a difference?
SHO92
New Member
you can also run the cobra dual piston aluminum caliper witha modified bracket on the 96+ 11.6" rotor. That is probably the best/cheapest brake setup you can get to fit under the stock wheels.
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