lt rear disk brakes

[Soniclt.wakko]

could i install rear disk brakes on my sonic

 

[$ub$onic]

Yes, Zzp sells a conversion kit.

 

[rdss]

Moved to the handling, braking and suspension section...

 

[Soniclt.wakko]

Yes, Zzp sells a conversion kit.

How would I find such a thing rear disks would b all some. How about rs exuast and bumper

 

[$ub$onic]

Google:

Zzperformance.

Go to the sonic brake section.



I know the rs front bumper will not fit, not sure about the rear.

 

[Hdmanny]

This is the one thing that I did not like about my car. Why they would use rear drums is beyond me. It cannot be so much cheaper to use drums over discs. Unless they like that it takes more time for a brake job so they can charge more.

 

[OsonicE]

Apparently drum brakes work better as parking brakes than disks. As well as cheaper.

Most of your braking happens at the front wheels anyway, and the ABs and traction control are calibrated to what the car came with... so unless you have seriously supped up the rest of your car and have a fair amount of experience as a mechanic, I wouldn't recommend taking apart your brakes.

 

[Hdmanny]

I believe that ABS and traction control work by determining the difference in wheel velocity between all the tires on your car. If it were calibrated then you would have to redo it everyone you got me tires, even tire wear would throw it off.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

This is the one thing that I did not like about my car. Why they would use rear drums is beyond me. It cannot be so much cheaper to use drums over discs. Unless they like that it takes more time for a brake job so they can charge more.

Cheaper. One machining operation for the drum instead of two. One wheel cylinder that is inexpensive. I thought I had bought my last drum brake car but also looking at this upgrade. Newer Sonics I think have disk, or maybe just newer LTZ versions.

Years ago, my first car was a '65 Nova with 4 drum brakes. Worked, but would fade instantly on highway if you needed to stop fast better to lock up wheels. Otherwise a reasonable car for the era but the brakes were rubbish.

 

[mitdr774]

Keep the rear drums. I swapped for autocross and have been thinking about going back to drums. I don't think the are really helping all that much, and the rear kit I have needs the calipers and pads replaced after less than a year.

 

[Sneakerfix]

Keep the rear drums. I swapped for autocross and have been thinking about going back to drums. I don't think the are really helping all that much, and the rear kit I have needs the calipers and pads replaced after less than a year.

Which calipers are you using maybe I can help you with a bigger set up.


The cruze and sonic rear drums are beefy and can handle a lot.

 

[mitdr774]

They are Cobalt, HHR, G6, Malibu, Aura, 9-3 calipers. My guess is the kit had some cheap junk rebuilt calipers in it. I expected rebuilt for the price, but not junk ones. The park brake portion locks up and one is leaking fluid around the shaft of the park break mechanism. Im going to price out replacement calipers local and if I dont like the cost I will probably just go back to the drums.

 

[Hdmanny]

Keep the rear drums. I swapped for autocross and have been thinking about going back to drums. I don't think the are really helping all that much, and the rear kit I have needs the calipers and pads replaced after less than a year.

I agree about keeping the rear drums, it is not cost effective. You can spend the money on something else to improve the performance.

 

[Sneakerfix]

They are Cobalt, HHR, G6, Malibu, Aura, 9-3 calipers. My guess is the kit had some cheap junk rebuilt calipers in it. I expected rebuilt for the price, but not junk ones. The park brake portion locks up and one is leaking fluid around the shaft of the park break mechanism. Im going to price out replacement calipers local and if I dont like the cost I will probably just go back to the drums.

SORRY... are the rear rotors 292mm rotor?

if you sell your conversion let me know..

 

[theenico]

Rear discs on a FWD car are a waste. 60% or more of the vehicles weight is on the front wheels when not moving. Under even moderate braking, that changes to 80% with weight transfer. The rear brakes rarely do even 20% of the braking.

If you live in area with real winters and enjoy dealing with frozen parking brake mechanisms, you will love the rear disc conversions for the Sonic.

Side note: My wife drives a 2003 Pontiac Vibe with 150,000 miles. I have pulled and inspected the rear drums and shoes a couple of times. They are still not ready to be replaced. YMMV

 

[Preloader]

Hory Chet!!! It's theenico!

How ya been?

 

[theenico]

Pretty good. I still check in, but try maintain a low profile on the ole interwebs. Too much mis-information and weiner swinging out there.

 

[Preloader]

Word. I've throttled way down on my online activity myself. Glad to see you're still hang in' around the scene.

 

[mitdr774]

SORRY... are the rear rotors 292mm rotor?

if you sell your conversion let me know..

Best I can tell it is a redrilled rotor for the same vehicles. When it comes off it will go to a scrap yard. That is how highly I think of it.

Rear discs on a FWD car are a waste. 60% or more of the vehicles weight is on the front wheels when not moving. Under even moderate braking, that changes to 80% with weight transfer. The rear brakes rarely do even 20% of the braking.

If you live in area with real winters and enjoy dealing with frozen parking brake mechanisms, you will love the rear disc conversions for the Sonic.

Side note: My wife drives a 2003 Pontiac Vibe with 150,000 miles. I have pulled and inspected the rear drums and shoes a couple of times. They are still not ready to be replaced. YMMV

The reason I switched pertained to autocross use. GM drum brakes do not do a very good job at self adjusting. I do not feel like manually adjusting the drums before every event. A disc conversion solved this issue as I prefer to have functional brakes. Even using the 80/20 split, if the drum brakes are not properly adjusted it becomes more like 80/5.

 

[Sneakerfix]

Best I can tell it is a redrilled rotor for the same vehicles. When it comes off it will go to a scrap yard. That is how highly I think of it.





The reason I switched pertained to autocross use. GM drum brakes do not do a very good job at self adjusting. I do not feel like manually adjusting the drums before every event. A disc conversion solved this issue as I prefer to have functional brakes. Even using the 80/20 split, if the drum brakes are not properly adjusted it becomes more like 80/5.

I just want the brackets