Just got my 7.5 rear done for my 91 tpi. put new 3.42 richmond gear in &new bearing. Had to put early disks on them. I don't have the $800.00 for baer brake setup .( what for tax refund) what problems will I come across. And it has the pv out of the donor car 88 firebird ( calibers are form it)

 

No big deal.. they just suck, that's all. They basically don't work.

You can make them a whole lot less bad, like to where you can even almost tell they're there sometimes, by doing the proportioning valve mod that involves removing a spring and plugging a hole. Do a search on this board for it, it supposedly makes a HUGE difference.

 

I'll put you through the windsheild with mine. If setup with the proper pads, lines and rotors + pressure they stop great. The only thing that sucks is the pads rattle in the calipers because of their defective floating design.

 

I've often read about the problems with the early disc brakes, but I've never experienced any of those difficulties whatsoever in my 85 IROC. Not only does it stop well, but the e-brake is fully functional.

JamesC

 

i felt alitte difference from my 88 formula 350 and my 91 formula 350... just a tad better design...

 

My old rear iron calipers stopped working. The front brakes were doing all the work. If that isn't bad enough, wait until you have to change the brake pads on those old iron rear calipers! Changing the pads on the PBR calipers is much easier.

 

my brakes work great, all oem, i slow down and stop excellently, i stop as fast if not faster than my friend's 96 z28, i don't see what the bitchin is about, why spend 800 for baer if your **** works the way it is?

 

The problem is those iron calipers were the subject of a recall. However, GM only had to recall the cars with sticks, not automatics. As I recall, there was a problem with cars rolling down hills because of the problem with those calipers. The automatics have the same brakes but GM was able to convince NHTSA that only the sticks should be recalled. GM claimed that only those vehicles where the owner did not set the parking brake had the problem, but I always set my parking brake and I still had the problem.

Have you changed your rear pads yet? It is a major pain in the neck with those iron calps.

Last, you are quite right about Baer. However, there are other ways to go. I've got an 85 and I'm putting PBR calps on the rear. Those PBR calps are a major improvement over the iron calps.

 

the recall you speak of was because of the emergency brakes not being self adjusting or something of the sort, had nothing to do with anything else.

 

Mine is easy because of the small tubular LCA's and relocation brackets allow for right rear removal without any clearence problems. Yes, stock would be a bitch.

 

Is there a fix for the rattling pads? Currently I have an '87 9 bolt with the cast iron calipers and would like to be able to avoid $$$upgrading$$$ to PBR's. It'll be going into a '91 T/A (currently with drums). I was going to try to adapt the drums since they work great for how I use the car and are reliable, but if I can make the discs function properly I'd like to use those. I have the correct PV and would perform the necessary mods as was described in the other thread. However, I'd also like to avoid adding rattles. If you regularly use the e-brake, does that cure it? Can these calipers be rebuilt at home? Are parts from an auto parts store commonly updated (W.R.T. recall) in your experience?

Thanks

Wups, didn't notice the 'banned.' Anyone else know?

 

FYI on this subject, the Baer Sport (the 12" set up) basicly uses the exact set up as the 89-92 PBR set up. The difference, they claim, is that their caliper is more rigid and they use a slightly thinner rotor (from the Vette I think). Unless you do a ton of road racing, you really don't need the Baer rear set up, the front on the other hand is a different story, those set ups rock. What I did was got calipers, brackets, brake lines, e-brake cables and rotors from a 91 Formy and am putting all that on right now. There is a little bit of axle housing work that needs done, so I'm thinking of putting gears in the 89 Formy rear I've got in a parts car and just putting that in my car. The 87 style calipers work good if they are properly adjusted, but the PBR's work better and are easier to change the pads on.

 

Yes, use some CRC brand anti-squeal adhesive on the backs and adjust the tabs on the pads so they fit snuggly into the calipers. My old pads did tend to rattle, but no rattles with my current pads.

 

both of my cars rear disc do not work..Kevin

 

I used to have the older disk brake set up on my car. I just put a adjustible proportioning valve into it. It helped alot although they were still weak.

 

did you leave the stock como valve in? if your feeding from the stock valve with an added adjustable prop valve then you should try the MOD to increase rear pressure.

 

kjgroen,

Has the recall work been done on your car? If not, get it done asap!

 

parrydise I am gonna try that next and then go from there! I hope it helps.. Kevin

 

Kevin,

After I had the recall work done I switched to a synthetic brake fluid. I haven't had the problem since.

However, I am going to switch to PBR calps. Changing the pads on the PBRs is a snap compared to the iron calps.