SV21 Brakes

**ajh** · 17-11-2006, 11:19 PM

Just a query,

Our SV21 has 4 wheel discs, all working as they should. Good pads, discs etc. Suspension and tyres are good too. New in fact.

I have heard people talk about brake upgrades on these cars in the past, however I'm not sure what what type of calipers etc are used.

Also, is it just a matter of upgrading calipers or does it also involve discs, booster, master cylinder etc???

The car is running the stock 14" rims with "lovely plastic trims" and good quality tyres, however it just doesn't seem to have the "pull up power" of other cars I've driven.

I drive a VY commodore and my Wife drives the camry. I know I can't really compare it to my car, but is it just our camry or is the lack of "pull up power" a general thing with the SV21????

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andrew

**willwal98** · 18-11-2006, 12:53 AM

I believe the brake upgrade is from rear drum to disk. I have an sv21 that cost me $400 from a friend, it needs some paint, has lots of k's, runs well though, and it brakes just fine even with the rear drums.
All the bombadores I have driven have wierd brake setups, nothing for the first part of the pedal then suddenly there is too much brake. Unless there is something wrong with the brakes on your camry i'd say you are just accustomed to driving your crummydore...(sorry for the anti-holden remarks but it is a Toyota forum

)
Also your crumpledoor will have electronic assist and most likely ABS, features I don't think your sv21 will have. Mine at least has vacume assist and no ABS. Just means you'll have to push a little harder for the same effect. Also don't forget you are compairing a 3 year old car to a 15 year old car...There is going to be some wear in there..

If you have a spongy pedal it could need a bleed and it may have some air leaks somewhere.

**horse** · 18-11-2006, 02:57 AM

lack of pull up is a usual thing
upgrades available: st185 calipers, st204 calipers, st202 calipers, st205 calipers.

i found braking better with some nicer tyres, but i'm also doing a brake upgrade anyway. if its just a daily driver for your wife then pop some st185 ones one, or if anything, get some nicer tyres for the car

**urantia** · 18-11-2006, 03:22 AM

willwal98, i'd have to agree with you there, commodores (at least the older vn's i've driven) have a funny setup. Driving my mums sv21, celica, supra for ages, then getting into a commo, the first thing i noticed was this touchy nasty brake setup!

**willwal98** · 18-11-2006, 12:21 PM

Just go for a drive and push the pedal nice and hard and see how it stops then. Try to take it to the point where the tyres are just about to loose grip. If you can't get to that point then you have brake issues, if you get there easily you might want to think about better tyres. Without a fair bit of modding you won't get them to the same point as a new car with ABS and electronic assist. Personally I hate elec assist, much prefer the linear feel of vacume.

**ajh** · 18-11-2006, 02:00 PM

Thanks for the info guys,

Definitely no faults with the brakes, and the tyres are new & good quality.

I'll look into the caliper upgrade, sounds like it might be worthwhile.

You're correct with me being used to the condommodore, as I don't drive the camry very often. (usually only when my wife complains of a noise or something).

Again, thanks for the advice.

Just for the record, If it was my decision I wouldn't be driving a commodore ( I hate them with a passion) It's a company car so I don't have much choice. The only positives in this are that the fuel and maintenance are not my problem....

Cheers,

Andrew