T series rear end disk conversion/upgrade thread

[thechuckster]

If you guys can wait 2-3 months, i'll have enough cash and time to finish an RT142 disk upgrade to my T-series RA40 diff (or possibly another diff with slightly better ratio - e.g. bog warmer or MX62 or MS112) - i'll photograph relevant bits for a tech note.

i've got all the bits except the spacer ring ready to go.

[EVOSTi]

thechuckster, not trying to sound like an arse but isnt there already alot of info on this upgrade? although i dont know thats anyones bothered with a proper tech article.

[thechuckster]

there are threads that talks about it - but the minor details (like doing the handbrake lines, the hard lines on the diff, the correct bolts to attach the allow plate to the end of the axle, correcting brake bias etc) are missing in all for this specific upgrade.

I'm also after a better diff ratio but without the hassles of shortening axle tubes and shifting mounts.

[EVOSTi]

yeah i think ive read all the relevant info in numerous threads but never in the one place so would be a usefull article

ive done the upgrade also, if you need help or pics lemme know.

[skiddz]

hmmm after looking at the vr calipers i am going to require a hydraulic handbrake gonna try and find some that require a cable or failing that put in a hydraulic brake.... i shall go and stick my head under cars at the wreckers

[TA-022]

nope .. hydraulic is bad mmmmmkay

[EVOSTi]

rear VR calipers are integrated handbrake arent they?

[lilcrash]

have u considered the brake upgrade i am chasing, subaru sports wagon calipers are a 2 pot caliper with a cable hand brake. that should be pretty easy to get sorted once u get the discs on there. im thinking the use of the same setup from my type 3 wagon, a plate with 4 holes just bolt the thing on.

[thechuckster]

The joy of the RT142 brake upgrade is that the alloy plate just bolts up and you dont mod the mount. Nothing to fabricate at all (in theory).

[LeeRoy]

Afaik hydraulic handbrake = illegal. How does the handbrake operate on most disc rear ends anyways? commodores have the driveshafts with the hb attached to that dont they, but what does everything else use?

[ddeane]

there are threads that talks about it - but the minor details (like doing the handbrake lines, the hard lines on the diff, the correct bolts to attach the allow plate to the end of the axle, correcting brake bias etc) are missing in all for this specific upgrade.

I'm also after a better diff ratio but without the hassles of shortening axle tubes and shifting mounts.

I did a tech artical at least 5 years ago that covered most of these issues. Its on the old forum.

Craig

[EVOSTi]

Afaik hydraulic handbrake = illegal. How does the handbrake operate on most disc rear ends anyways? commodores have the driveshafts with the hb attached to that dont they, but what does everything else use?

no the piston in the caliper is threaded and screws in and out, the handbrake cable rotates the piston pushing it out.

[skiddz]

mmk finally an update! after a good month of me being lazy/flat out

i picked up some hyundia sonata v6 calipers as they have a cable-spring thingy at the back in which a handbrake cable is likely to be placed so as to operate the hand brake, i will put pics up if i an be farked/ have time, also it may be possible to use the entire rear end setup of the hyundia as they have a 4x114.3 PCD, however the offset (mounting face to friction surface) of the disk may be insufficient. The disks are also pretty much the same diameter etc of the skyline disks

oh also alot of cars are drum inside disk handbrake

[Grega]

as skiddz said
commodores have an internal drum brake for the handbrake (nested inside the disc rotor)
imagine two small shoes on the inside of the hub - thats how the handbrake works.

[Sagluren]

and the commo handbrake is the crapest style around, dosent to sweet anything.

can i suggest old falcon rear calipers, havent tried them but could work, and have a cable handbrake system

sam.