Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

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dean36014
Posts: 39
Joined: 22 Feb 2005, 00:47
Location: COVENTRY
My Cars: 1991 Citroen Bx 17tgd
1991 Citroen Bx St Tropez
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1998 Citroen XM 16v
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Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by dean36014 »

I've a 1992 ZX 1.9d which has low miles and in really good condition. I've also a Zx Volcane 1.9td I'm breaking for spares. Will the front brake calipers bolt straight on with the larger discs(new ones obviously) or do I need to change the hub carrier as well? Will I need to change the master cylinder too? I'm keeping the rear drum set up and not changing to the volcane rear discs brakes as I believe, maybe wrongly, you need to change the rear beam too.
elma
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Re: Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by elma »

The calliper looks like it sits on a carrier like on a Xantia. If thats the case then more than likely it is a straight swap but the volcano callipers need the matching calliper and vice versa. I think you are correct about the whole rear axle regarding the rear brakes.
dean36014
Posts: 39
Joined: 22 Feb 2005, 00:47
Location: COVENTRY
My Cars: 1991 Citroen Bx 17tgd
1991 Citroen Bx St Tropez
1994 Citroen Xm 2 litre turbo estate
1998 Citroen XM 16v
2004 Citroen C2 1.1sx
x 8

Re: Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by dean36014 »

I have the complete front struts available was just not sure if the calipers and carrier will bolt straight onto the 1.9d set up
BX
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Re: Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by BX »

Think this one through carefully. Many of the psa cars of that era had a tendency to prematurely lock up the front wheels on heavy braking. Upgrading the front without upgrading the rear and without ABS you are likely to further add to this imbalance. Also remember that a very critical part of the braking system is the tyres. To get the improvement applied to the stopping distance you might need to look at better contact with the tarmac.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way rubbishing your project. You know far better than I do how the two cars compare in real life driving. By the way upgrading rear brakes without doing the front is definitely fun. I tried it on a Simca once, and undid it after the first test drive. Wouldn't advise it.
dean36014
Posts: 39
Joined: 22 Feb 2005, 00:47
Location: COVENTRY
My Cars: 1991 Citroen Bx 17tgd
1991 Citroen Bx St Tropez
1994 Citroen Xm 2 litre turbo estate
1998 Citroen XM 16v
2004 Citroen C2 1.1sx
x 8

Re: Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by dean36014 »

yes point taken, I know the back brakes are the same throughout the range other than being non ABS, rear discs only on volcane models as far as i'm aware. I'm sure the estates and some saloons run bigger front discs though as mine are the non vented smaller diameter ones. At the moment its pretty hard to get the front to lock even though every thing is new. My mates Xsara runs the larger discs and similar sized drums with no abs without issue so maybe its a case of swapping the master cylinder to the correct one.
dean36014
Posts: 39
Joined: 22 Feb 2005, 00:47
Location: COVENTRY
My Cars: 1991 Citroen Bx 17tgd
1991 Citroen Bx St Tropez
1994 Citroen Xm 2 litre turbo estate
1998 Citroen XM 16v
2004 Citroen C2 1.1sx
x 8

Re: Quick question, ZX brake upgrade?

Post by dean36014 »

Ok just been doing some checking and it appears the Volcane disc set up is the same diameter size just vented compared to solid. If thats the case can't see there will be a problem changing to the vented disc set up if the calliper pistons are the same diameter. Unfortunately my axle stands are under the breaker at the moment until the engine is collected so i can't compared the discs for a comparision.
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