Buick Encore Brakes to Sonic

[Stew]

do you have any pictures of the redrilling of the rotor? im tempted to do this, but from the picture, it looks like i'll need at least 17" rims to fit them. but that was going to be my next upgrade anyways.

Redrilling of the rotor is not necessary, it's a direct fit. The only part of this swap that is not 100% bolt-on is you have to drill out the mounting holes on the spindle to accommodate the larger 14mm caliper bracket mounting bolts. Nobody has done this just yet, it should happen very soon, tomorrow possibly.

Edit: Also remember in the mockup pic the caliper is just resting on the disc and I don't think it's centered perfectly, and some of the shadows in the pic might be making the caliper look closer to the wheel then it actually is.

 

[CjCsonic]

Yeah its gotta be pressed on the spindle then id guess. If you get time and can take off the rotor thatd be great........ the one on the sonic was not that short in comparison, im not too worried about it.

 

[jgrote]

At this point I'm confused about one part; do we need to swap calipers, or just rotors/mounts/mounting bolts? Also, please clarify pads. Are you using Encore pads with Sonic calipers?

 

[Sneakerfix]

At this point I'm confused about one part; do we need to swap calipers, or just rotors/mounts/mounting bolts? Also, please clarify pads. Are you using Encore pads with Sonic calipers?

U can you use both the encore pads or the sonic pads. You also only need the bracket for the calipers

 

[Stew]

At this point I'm confused about one part; do we need to swap calipers, or just rotors/mounts/mounting bolts? Also, please clarify pads. Are you using Encore pads with Sonic calipers?

I'm not sure if CjCsonic test fitted his Sonic calipers to the Buick caliper brackets when he mocked up his parts, and I will be doing this hopefully tomorrow.

As of now you only need the Encore brackets, rotors, pads and caliper bracket mounting bolts. The pads I picked up were technically for the diesel Cruze but the part number cross references with the Encore. The Encore listed two part numbers for pads where the diesel Cruze only listed one so I went with that.

You don't even have to crack open the hydraulic system to swap caliper brackets.

Edit: As Sneakerfix mentioned you can use the Sonic pads but you won't be utilizing the entire swept area of the disc if you do.

 

[CjCsonic]

Sonic pad is on the right encore to the left. I did the mock up with the encore bracket, sonic caliper, encore rotor. Everything looked good....

 

[Sneakerfix]

I just bought "RS" rear caliper mounts for $18ea, brand new. They bolt right on the drum brake Sonic rear axle. Heavy duty cast iron instead of potentially flimsy 1/4" plate on the aftermarket kits
Left 95192914
Right 95192915

You guys can say the stock brakes are enough with pads and fluid, but try them in a Sonic with over twice the power. SOB WON"T STOP!!

Where did you order from

 

[CheapFuneral]

Sonic pad is on the right encore to the left. I did the mock up with the encore bracket, sonic caliper, encore rotor. Everything looked good....

Fyi my wife's encore breaks squeak... I think it's because of that extra stopping power they have on the sides there... It's not a wear squeak and it's not to bad but it does happen, especially while in reverse.


**** you auto correct!

 

[CjCsonic]

Fyi my wife's encore breaks squeak... I think it's because of that extra stopping power they have on the sides there... It's not a wear squeak and it's not to bad but it does happen, especially while in reverse.


**** you auto correct!

I would probably say it is the rears that are making noise, especially since you noted it happens in reverse.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Ok just throwing it out there.


**** you auto correct!

 

[CjCsonic]

Where did you order from

I believe he ordered from gmpartsdirect.com, I BELIEVE not 100%.

 

[MPFab]

Where did you order from

Gmpartsdirect.com

 

[nirr]

just got back from europe after a few days.
glad to see that you all made progress, cant wait to see the resalt,

have no nails on my fingers any more .

so i understand now that the pads from the encore will fit our calipers, and still we would gain the extra swipe area on the rotor = more stopping power.

from what i understand, the only set back is the bolts for the brackets.
so i would to see further how you got all of that fixed.

thank you all for the update and good luck

 

[Scot]

BAM!!!!

Think this would work?

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

You know that would actually take the hassle out of having to drill out the hole and sticking a helicoil in there for when it's time to go back to stock.

 

[Scot]

Exactly!

 

[CjCsonic]

The threads on the encore bracket is 14mm our sonics have a 12mm bracket. I believe your thinking its reversed.

 

[CjCsonic]

Now if we were to drill out the spindle mounting point to 14mm then we could use that bushing to go back to 12mm if needed.

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

The threads on the encore bracket is 14mm our sonics have a 12mm bracket. I believe your thinking its reversed.

I feel like scot might be on to something. If you get a sleeve to fit the 14mm mounting hole on the bracket made for a 12mm bolt you could still use the 12mm bolt. Though you could be correct in the reverse thinking bit as well.

 

[Scot]

I see - I just looked up a drawing.

Drill Baby, drill!