266 to 283 xantia brakes - what do i need?

[chinkostu]

After some arse puckering fade last night in the barge coming down quickly from 70 i've decided that the standard discs on mine are good enough around town but as soon as you need an emergency stop around motorway speeds they let go really fast.

Pads were changed about 4 months ago and discs were still good at the time.

I know there were two bigger sizes fitted (283 and 288) of which the latter uses a different hub carrier and bigger hub according to servicebox. However the main hub components are the same for the smallest and middle sizes. I read somewhere that the caliper is the same but the carrier is different but can't find anything to back that up.

I also realise it means I have to ditch the 14" wheels as they won't clear the bigger brakes.

Seems a shame as the brakes are brilliant (with spring still in!) Otherwise but not sure if any change of pads or discs will make it better!

[SaabC5]

Never found my Xant brakes wanting. Changing to bigger discs can be a lot of hassle with caliper carriers etc etc. Me personally i'd spring for some decent discs/pads. Brembo discs are only £17.44 from ECP, couple that with some EBC Ultimax brake pads at £23.34 from EBC and you should be good. I can't remember if the braking circuit is standard brake fluid or on the LHM circuit but a change of brake fluid if standard certainly won't harm.

[elma]

As far as I'm aware you need the discs, pads, callipers and the carriers to effect the change. What make of discs and pads do you have? Fading from 70 sounds a bit pathetic. Were your discs really fine? I've never once seen a used Xantia front disc that hadn't warped, it seems to be their way of wearing in. Theres 288mm as well but the discs and pads cost a fair bit more.
I've used Mintex for years now with no complaints. I tried Brembo years ago and was not impressed, EBC should be decent if they put in the same effort as they do for bikes.
Could it be possible you just need a bleed? Old brown bubbly Lhm in the last few inches of the brake lines really does mess up stopping ability.

[chinkostu]

Not been bled since i've owned it so might need that doing. The pads were from a local factors, QH if i remember right.


When I say faded from 70, i'd slowed down for a roundabout prior, then got bad fade when slowing for traffic further up! They stank like buggery though. Part of me thinks they're not cooling fast enough as they shouldn't have faded after 2 stops!

I might invest in some new discs and pads then and try and source the larger bits for next time incase it doesn't solve the issue.

[Hell Razor5543]

I would also check that the handbrake cables are moving freely (and the little lever on the callipers returns to its' rest position correctly). I have had occasions when the cable has started to get rusty, and then bind a little (holding the brake on slightly), and on Gracie the nearside calliper brake lever had a very weak spring (which also caused issues).

On a Xantia LHM works the brakes, the steering, and the suspension. I would definitely bleed the brakes (I ALWAYS do so when I did any work on the hydro_pneumatic system).

[chinkostu]

Aye the steering/hydraulic side got changed as I had the PAS return split and it dumped the entire tank of LHM twice, as i had to top it off to limp it home to fix!

[evilally]

Larger brakes, 15" wheels will result in a huge increase in unsprung weight, expect a reduction in handling and ride quality, not to mention tyres will be twice the price. Your insurance will go up with non-standard brakes and wheels fitted.

Had the 266mm setup on our last 406, gave it a damn good thrashing on a b road many a time and never had an issue. It will be far easier to fit better quality pads, having experienced a variety of brakes around the track, cheap ones will stop you once, but not twice.

In other words, a well sorted 266mm setup is the way to go

[chinkostu]

Any recommendations on decent pads and discs then? Found the invoice for my pads, they were Comline so budget really.

The thing about unsprung weight is true but why would they go to 283 as standard from around 98 if the 266 were adequate?

[elma]

I like these Mintex ones.

No idea on the size thing.
My hatchback has 266mm, my estate 283mm and are both pre '98 on 15" wheels.
That makes sense to me, I guess swapping the lot to one size is cheaper to produce.

[chinkostu]

Thats a bloody good price for Mintex. Was browsing ECP earlier and had pagid ones that were more expensive!

Might be right about the sizes too, wouldnt make sense otherwise

[elma]

Pagid are on Red at the minute, not massively impressed.

The cheapest ones on ebay seem to come from IOM and take a bit longer to arrive, worth paying £10 extra if in a rush.

[isisalar]

I've replaced two sets of front discs and pads on my HDI's recently, going for the top quality ones from GSF got me Brembo discs and Mintex pads once (IIRC) and Bendix discs and pads on the other occasion, no complaints so far. They've been doing 35% off the last few weekends so worth giving them a call.
Needed some rear discs for the 206 XSI recently too, ECP had them in stock and weirdly the Eicher premium ones were cheaper than the standard ones !!! Only cost £8.64 each.

[lexi]

The cheapest ones on ebay seem to come from IOM and take a bit longer to arrive, worth paying £10 extra if in a rush.

Any links James?

[Old-Guy]

Not been bled since i've owned it so might need that doing...

That's your starting point - dead easy on a Xantia; see the Wiki.

Stinking pads sounds like cheap oness and possibly the vents in the front discs blocked with rust and muck.

Xantia brakes are famous for being light and highly effective - well loaded coming up the M5 from Devon last night, the brakes got a real hammering with (near-) stops every few miles. Every time it seemed the jam had cleared, we do a couple of miles at 70 then see brake lights as far as the eye could see. At leasst the rust got scrubbed off the rear discs for once!

[chinkostu]

Yours has the bigger brakes though yea it does seem like they're not at 100%, they're great up until they go off though!