AU series 1 brakes

[last fairlane]

Hi all as the heading says AU brakes
I have an AU Fairmont series one and the brakes are pretty woeful
Ive replaced the discs all round but still the brakes are only fairly average
can I replace them with the 2 spot callipers like the BAs
if I can do I need to replace the rotors as well
hope some one here can help
Ive had the car for 6 years and intend keeping it
thanks John

[POELWYK]

heyy mate you can up the brakes to AU S2 S3 ones that means staring rack and everything needs replaceing but thay will be WAY better then what u have and then u can put BA brake Calapers on it

[whiskers]

have a look in here it will tell you everything you need to know

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...69#post2720169

cheers

[GK]

Originally Posted by POELWYK

heyy mate you can up the brakes to AU S2 S3 ones that means staring rack and everything needs replaceing but thay will be WAY better then what u have and then u can put BA brake Calapers on it

No rack replacement is neccessary.

GK

[last fairlane]

Hi just read the write up for the twin pot calipers
I didnt think it would be so involved
looks like half the suspension has to be changed
also I didnt get wether you can still use the AU1 discs or not
thanks for the heads up
I will now think about it wether to go the whole hog or just sit back a bit in the traffic
thanks heaps John

[Papa Smurf]

The AUI discs front and rear are different to AUII/III/BA. The lower control arms are different between AUI and AUII/III/BA. The Steering spindle is different (as the mounts for the Calipers are different). I have an AUI XR6 with ABS and I find the brakes ok. I WOULD like to get the BA style brakes but the cost of changing the spindles is a bit much, even for me.

So many people say you HAVE to change the lower control arms but from what I can see and the measurements I have taken, the only difference is where the sway bar mounts. I think the AUI sway bar mount is better than the later type, ask any Taxi driver

Hope that helps?

[JC]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

.............I think the AUI sway bar mount is better than the later type, ask any Taxi driver

Hope that helps?

That may be true, but the AU1 sway bar fouls the AU2 brakes, so while you don't need to change the lower control arm, you need to modify it by drilling a hole to accept the AU2 swaybar link mounts. It's just easier to replace it as it normally costs bugger all (around $35 each - about the same a s a good 16mm drill bit which is what you'd need at least one of to drill the required holes)

[FERG_51]

You could upgrade to slotted rotors and performance pads as my mate has done to his AU/1 XR8, it totally transformed the brakes on his car.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by JC

That may be true, but the AU1 sway bar fouls the AU2 brakes, so while you don't need to change the lower control arm, you need to modify it by drilling a hole to accept the AU2 swaybar link mounts. It's just easier to replace it as it normally costs bugger all (around $35 each - about the same a s a good 16mm drill bit which is what you'd need at least one of to drill the required holes)

I apologize, I was wrong in stating that. I forgot the calipers go on the front.
Dum me

[JC]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

I apologize, I was wrong in stating that. I forgot the calipers go on the front.
Dum me

LOL! No worries - don't sweat it.

[skp]

I'm also interested in upgrading the brakes in mine. (AU series one XR6).
Changed all the pads and rotors and it felt worse then it started. Did a flush and it now feels the same as my bfs EF ghia so I'm happy (for now).
Was going to get slotted, but the benefit doesn't outweigh the costs when I'll just upgrade soon anyway.

[cortEA]

Hi there I have an AU XR6 ser VCT with irs. It has DBA slotted rotors on the front with ferodo formula pads and standard rotors on the rear and am very happy with the formula pads they are a lot better than the bendix ultimates as they dont need to be hot to work well. Hope that helps a bit

Cheers Corey

[JC]

I have the Tickford setup on my Fairmont, and braking is fantastic!

I have also previously upgraded the AU1 brakes to BA setup on my old AU1 XR8, and braking was vastly improved; mostly with repeated hard stops, or a long run downhill, or when towing a trailer/boat, but even standard stops were better with the twin callipers.

[SirHenry]

Originally Posted by FERG_51

You could upgrade to slotted rotors and performance pads as my mate has done to his AU/1 XR8, it totally transformed the brakes on his car.

I found an enormous difference just by upgrading to RDA Slotted rotors and QFM brake pads.

Relatively inexpensive, $60.00 for the QFMs and $150.00ish for the pair of RDA's.

[rosco426]

Is the front end of a Series 2/3 Fairlane different to a falcon?

[stavros68]

all the same

[lostdude]

I was going to do the conversion on my Au, i bought the brakes / hub etc and in the end i couldn't be bothered, for normal day to day driving you probably won't notice much difference. I think from reading around the pad size is actually very similar, but you get less fad from repeated high speed stops which you probably won't encounter on the street.
As some one posted above its a pain in the *** to do.

[JC]

Originally Posted by lostdude

I was going to do the conversion on my Au, i bought the brakes / hub etc and in the end i couldn't be bothered, for normal day to day driving you probably won't notice much difference. I think from reading around the pad size is actually very similar, but you get less fad from repeated high speed stops which you probably won't encounter on the street.
As some one posted above its a pain in the *** to do.

Not so much the *** - just elbows and knees!

[BIGJB]

Hey guys just want to double check something with you.
I have a S2 so will anything that fits on a BA fit straight onto it??
I have found a wrecked BA with a huge set of PBR's on it at a good
price so if discs and cals will bolt straight on I will go ahead and buy em.
Thanks in advance and sorry for hyjacking thread.

[FTE72]

/\/\
You are all set with the series 2 John. BA-FG will bolt up to it. Might only need some different rear hoses to suit the AU, or just re-use the ones on your car.

[mr_xr8]

what ever happan with the sumitomo 4pot upgrade that cresent was working on?

[BIGJB]

Sweet Thanks for that mate.
I was pretty sure that was the case but thought I'd better ask 1st just to be certain.

[lostdude]

Originally Posted by JC

Not so much the *** - just elbows and knees!

your probably right i wouldn't know lol, i didn't end up bothering.