D110 front brakes on a Disco 1

[mdcoa]

So I just purchased some D110 front calipers from a d-web member, and, after I'd already committed, I realized they were for the non-vented rotors.


Now I'm wondering if I should install these (for which I'd need to buy new, solid 110 rotors), or try to re-sell them and go the vented-rotor 110 caliper route.


Thanks for any thoughts,
Bill

 

[Tugela]

Keep them. You don't need 110 rotors. These work with stock D1 rotors, which you probably already have. Also, there is no such thing as a vented 110 rotor. The D90 has vented rotors (and spacers in the calipers to accommodate them). The beauty of the 110 caliper is that it works with your existing D1 rotor.

What you will need, however, is a new set of hard lines to connect the caliper to your flex brake hose. The D1 caliper pipe will not fit - it is too long and is shaped differently. The janky cheapfuck method is to re-bend your D1 pipe to fit, which I personally think is a terrible idea. Alternatively you can buy the parts and tools to fabricate your own pipes from your local auto parts store. I had my local indie Rover shop make up a pair for me. This only cost $50, which was worth it since they fit perfectly and I didn't feel like messing with it.

 

[robertf]

Also, there is no such thing as a vented 110 rotor. The D90 has vented rotors (and spacers in the calipers to accommodate them).

I believe 300tdi era until the end of production 110 and 90 share front brake components and are vented. 200tdi era (93 NAS) and older are solid. The parts catalogs seem to agree with this

 

[mdcoa]

I believe 300tdi era until the end of production 110 and 90 share front brake components and are vented. 200tdi era (93 NAS) and older are solid. The parts catalogs seem to agree with this

Yup, that's what I'm seeing. Anyone think the gain of vented rotors will be worth the exponential pain in the butt (and maybe expense) of selling these and sourcing new calipers and vented rotors?

And, yes my rotors are indeed solid, so will presumably work with the calipers I just bought....I've got a somewhat awesome flare tool I bought back in my 109 SIIA days , so I'll probably just try to bend and flare my own.

Used some of those newfangled easy-bend hard lines on my father in law's pickup--are they lousy? They sure were easy to shape....

 

[p m]

Yup, that's what I'm seeing. Anyone think the gain of vented rotors will be worth the exponential pain in the butt (and maybe expense) of selling these and sourcing new calipers and vented rotors?

And, yes my rotors are indeed solid, so will presumably work with the calipers I just bought....I've got a somewhat awesome flare tool I bought back in my 109 SIIA days , so I'll probably just try to bend and flare my own.

Used some of those newfangled easy-bend hard lines on my father in law's pickup--are they lousy? They sure were easy to shape....

110 calipers are a darling to install on a D1 with stock rotors. The lines - you can buy a couple of 4" or 6" hard lines with 10x1mm double-flare male fittings, and bend them to suit. The lines are like $5 apiece, and you can easily get away without a proper bender - with a stack of washers.
On dry pavement, the brakes on my D1 with 110 front calipers feel almost like those on a late Classic - meaning awesome. It is always a shock to drive another D1 with stock brakes.

That said, you should have researched the topic before buying those.

 

[mdcoa]

110 calipers are a darling to install on a D1 with stock rotors. The lines - you can buy a couple of 4" or 6" hard lines with 10x1mm double-flare male fittings, and bend them to suit. The lines are like $5 apiece, and you can easily get away without a proper bender - with a stack of washers.
On dry pavement, the brakes on my D1 with 110 front calipers feel almost like those on a late Classic - meaning awesome. It is always a shock to drive another D1 with stock brakes.

That said, you should have researched the topic before buying those.

Thanks for the specifics on the fittings--I've got a proper bender, so should be good to go.

Thanks for the scolding, too. I actually did research this pretty thoroughly back when I arranged with a guy to buy the defender brakes on a Disco he was parting out, which he apparently never actually dismantled. And then I saw these as I was just about to leave work and pulled the trigger without thinking things through quite thoroughly (not to mention before talking to my wife to secure approval for a $200 purchase):banghead:.
All that to say the scolding was only _partly_ deserved, and glad to hear that these in fact will be a pretty easy and significant upgrade to my braking.
Thanks again for the info on the hard lines--that'll save me walking into AutoZone with the current lines, dripping brake fluid on their floor . . .

 

[p m]

No scolding at all. The greatness of 110 calipers in the front of D1 has its downsides - the very first rainstorm let me know that I need to scale back Formula 1 aspirations. Another less common side effect I discovered on loose, cross-axled hillclimbs with TrueTracs front and rear (with very liberal left-foot braking while going uphill). Over-braking the front axle doesn't help - so I see rear 110 calipers and 110 master cylinder in my future.

 

[fishEH]

A 12" or 18" straight hardline from PepBoys, etc should be able to be bent to what you need pretty easily and it comes with the fittings already on it.

 

[Tugela]

Over-braking the front axle doesn't help - so I see rear 110 calipers and 110 master cylinder in my future.

I've considered this. One of the changes I noticed after installing D110 front calipers was a softer pedal feel. I've also considered installing an adjustable proportioning valve. One of many aspirational projects that may take a while to realize.

 

[ezzzzzzz]

The stock pipe can be used. You make a 90 degree bend just above the existing turn at the bottom to align the fitting with the caliper hole. The top is slightly tweaked to align the pipe with the flex hose and bracket. It provides a really clean and close fit. I realized this on the second DI I converted after using custom pipes which do not fit nearly as nice.

 

[fishEH]

The stock pipe can be used. You make a 90 degree bend just above the existing turn at the bottom to align the fitting with the caliper hole. The top is slightly tweaked to align the pipe with the flex hose and bracket. It provides a really clean and close fit. I realized this on the second DI I converted after using custom pipes which do not fit nearly as nice.

That's assuming your stock pipe isn't a rusted piece of crap . I find a new length of hardline is much more malleable and easier to work with. With some 3/16" line bending pliers and a little thought the new lines look as good as factory.

 

[mdcoa]

I've considered this. One of the changes I noticed after installing D110 front calipers was a softer pedal feel. I've also considered installing an adjustable proportioning valve. One of many aspirational projects that may take a while to realize.

Was thinking this--my pedal already isn't so awesome (despite a LOT of bleeding, and, no, I don't even have ABS, so I suspect mine is easier to bleed than most). Was thinking I'd chuck some braided lines on when I put the 110 calipers on to try to mitigate.

Good idea? Waste of $$?

 

[ptschram]

so I see rear 110 calipers and 110 master cylinder in my future.

Contact me when you're ready as I can get you all of the parts you need. It is not a direct bolt-on.

 

[ptschram]

That's assuming your stock pipe isn't a rusted piece of crap . I find a new length of hardline is much more malleable and easier to work with. With some 3/16" line bending pliers and a little thought the new lines look as good as factory.

It is so much nicer to use new tubing than to watch the old stuff crumble!

 

[p m]

Will do, Paul!

 

[ptschram]

Will do, Paul!

I learned a lot while putting together parts to make my Salisbury disc braked.

 

[Tugela]

Was thinking I'd chuck some braided lines on when I put the 110 calipers on to try to mitigate.

I installed SS braided hoses after my D110 calipers had been on for a while. Honestly I could not tell the difference but I am pretty sure that this upgrade didn't make anything worse. If you have the money to spend it's one more aging component in a brake system that you're replacing, so if nothing else you get some peace of mind.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Contact me when you're ready as I can get you all of the parts you need. It is not a direct bolt-on.

What's not direct bolt in about it? I put 110 rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers on my D90 a couple of months ago and everything bolted up perfectly. The hard lines are in the exact same orientation on the D90 calipers as the 110 calipers. D1/D90/RRC calipers as the same as far as I know, so the 110 calipers should work on all of them.

 

[mdcoa]

What's not direct bolt in about it? I put 110 rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers on my D90 a couple of months ago and everything bolted up perfectly. The hard lines are in the exact same orientation on the D90 calipers as the 110 calipers. D1/D90/RRC calipers as the same as far as I know, so the 110 calipers should work on all of them.

Uh, I think he was referring to putting a 110 Master Cylinder on a Disco . . . it took me about 3 reads to come to that conclusion, but it's definitely the conclusion I've come to.

 

[ptschram]

What's not direct bolt in about it? I put 110 rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers on my D90 a couple of months ago and everything bolted up perfectly. The hard lines are in the exact same orientation on the D90 calipers as the 110 calipers. D1/D90/RRC calipers as the same as far as I know, so the 110 calipers should work on all of them.

I just re-read your post. We are apparently talking two different calipers as the 110 calipers use a much larger pad and the pistons are much larger as well.

The Salisburys need some more bits like new stub axle and rotor to space things just right to make the disc brake calipers fit..

Also, I'm now putting 110 front calipers on the rear axle. I received the stock and made the first cuts and have them mocked up. I need to recover a bit from my hernia surgery before I can finish the mounting plates.

I posted a pic on Facebook.