Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

I found a 84 Z28 L69 with the rear disc brake option at my local pick-n-pull. Actually two of them, the other is in an 83 T/A. A couple of questions. If you got the L69 with an automatic, you had a choice of the 3.42 or the 3.73 rear end. If you got the disc brake option did this restrict your choice to one or the other, or could you still choose between either rear end?

It was a good day hunting, I came away with the L69 carb, Dual air-cleaner with intake hoses, overhead console with flashlight, steering wheel with horn button, the H.O. dash emblem and two gold rocker Z28 emblems. All for $85.00 Whoo Hooo........Gotta find time for the rear axle.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

Any rear gear ratio could come with any rear brakes.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

OK, Thanks. I did a search before I posted the question and on a couple of the treads some members eluded to an opinion that some owners did not like the four wheel disc brake setup on the 84 Camaro. Hogwash or merit?

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

There was a design flaw on the cast-iron calipers of the 82-88 rear disc brakes that led to a recall.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

I also see there is a recall part for that. Adequate after the fix? Can you visually tell if the repair has been done? I'd really like to have 4 wheel disc brakes.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

Product Safety Campaign 86C28 Rear Disc Brake Cone clutch Park Brake Adjuster. 1982-86 Chevolet Camaros With Rear Disc Brakes (RPO J65) and Manual Transmissions.

Before I swapped in PBR's, my car was equipped with the old style calipers. Despite their bad name, I thought they performed well enough (with use of the e-brake). I'd "guess" that all remains have the "fix" incorporated.

JamesC

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

A few years ago not all the remanned calipers on the shelf were "fixed", that may have changed by now.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

Before I did the recall on my own about 15 years ago, my caliper pistons on my '83 would not retract completely. After the recall, they still don't retract all the way. This puts a slight drag on the disc and wears out the pads. I just don't use my parking brake and don't have any problems. If the brake accidentally gets pulled, all I have to do is go behind each wheel and pull down on the counter weight, which retracts the piston.

You should occasionally (couple times a year) pull the lever a few times to adjust the rear brakes as the piston is not self adjusting like the front brakes.

I can't remember what parts were included on the recall. I do remember having to dis-assemble the calipers and basically do a rebuild.

Also, for what it's worth, I remember that the '82 calipers didn't have the counter weight mounted on the caliper lever. Not sure what the weights do. Maybe help retract the pistons?

Larry

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

You may be better off with the PBR or LS1 setup, unless you're looking for originality. I have them on my 86, and despise them.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

They're not supposed to retract all the way, there's always light contact between the pad and the disc.

That sounds more like weak parking brake retractor springs than a problem with the calipers.

The key parts in the recall kit were new bias springs and pistons.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

Why?

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

I havent had any issues with the ones on my 86. Most of these died from stupid mechanics, trying to use a c-clamp to compress the piston. Some went bad from internal rust freezing up the adjusting mechanism. Should be fine with rebuilt calipers if the ones you get dont work right.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

Haven't had any issues on my 84 since the installation of the recall kit either.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

I was referring to not retracting in the normal sense like you describe. They would drag more than the normal amount and cause the pads to wear faster. Since I never used the parking much anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if the cables are corroded. I pulled the handle just yesterday and it hasn't gotten worse since the recall.

But, what was the recall actually for? What was the problem with the calipers? I can't remember.

Larry

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

The bias springs were too weak and the pistons would fully retract until they no longer touched the disc. It's not uncommon for the rear disc brakes to be completely ineffective, whether applied with the parking brake or the pedal.

The recall only described a problem with the parking brake, so it was only applied to cars with manual transmissions so they could be safely parked on slopes. Cars with automatics were supposed to be safe enough in park. On icy roads in an automatic with bad rear discs you often have to put the car in neutral while braking because the rear discs don't have enough stopping power to keep the wheels from turning on the ice, even at idle.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

There must be parts to upgrade a stock disc brake set up. I think I'll pull it out and just rebuild the whole rearend, axle, and go with some aftermarket calipers and rotors. The rear end in my car has been whinning for a while and I'm assuming it's the ring and Pinion gears. It only makes the noise at speed while accelerating. A rearend project should be just the thing for this winter since I don't have to do it laying on my back under the car. Also, the rearend from a 83 T/A should fit just fine also?

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

The original rear calipers on my '82 have no counter-weights, and I have never replaced anything but the pads and the pin boots & bushings. The e-brake works just fine, I started driving the car daily about 3 months ago & have been beating the snot out of it ever since with no problems. I guess I'm lucky!

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

I had a big problem trying to get my car through emissions. If they can't stop the rear wheels on the rollers, they won't test the car. I did try to adjust them, and replaced the proportioning valve with an adjustable one (helped) but they still barely work. My friend's 89GTA was so much easier to service (calipers face same direction so the right side pins don't hit the control arm when removed) and worked much better. I'm sure many have not had any problems with these style, and this is just my personal experience with 3 cars that all had them. The PBR is a better, lighter design. Just my opinion.

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

What is "PBR"?

Larry

Re: Rear Disc brakes on 84 Z28
 

An alum caliper used on 89-92 larger-rotor rear disc cars. Pics in the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...iscs-89-a.html

JamesC