Front Brake Replacement FOUND

[mark]

which Astra model is the one that works on the Elan - the GSE or GSI?  any particular years?  My son is in the UK now and i'll have him pick up a pair.  anyone know of a place in central/northwest London that might stock them?

[Sy V]

Mark<br><br>We're still awaiting verification on this one...

[Peter]

If you aim the ducts for the centre of the hub internally to get the flow into the centrfugal fan effect of the vented discs, you might minimise the chance of temperature differential between inside and outside surfaces.

[Dimitris_GR]

[glow=red,2,300]Opel / Vauxhall Astra GSI[/glow]

[ESM]

[quote author=Dimitris_GR link=board=suspension;num=1057127333;start=15#23 date=07/09/03 at 21:39:59][glow=red,2,300]Opel / Vauxhall Astra GSI[/glow][/quote]<br>Dimitris, <br>The problem is that there are a couple of posts that say this caliper doesn't fit - like this one:<br>http://ret0027h.eresmas.net/lotuselancentral/archives/february02mb.htm<br>

<br>.... 1/ Some of our brake parts are shared with small Vauxhalls/Opels. 2/ A common conversion for Nova drivers is to swap their "small" Disk (236mm) and caliper for those from an Astra GSI 16v (256mm). This is a straight swap - the larger caliper has a larger 'tang' which sets the caliper 10mm further out from the bracket. I don't think the larger caliper has much more friction material or a larger piston. 3/ The Elan on first inspection seems to have the Disk for the Astra and the caliper of the Nova. Logically one would think that the bracket on the hub must be 10mm larger on the Lotus and all the other parts standard. No. 4/ On fitting the Astra caliper (yes I bought one) the pads sit 6mm over the outer edge of the Astra disk. One can work from this that the bracket is 6mm further out from the standard Vauxhall mount. Also the Lotus caliper is therefore Not a standard Vauxhall part (even though the pads are identical and it is the same size and weight).......

[Dimitris_GR]

I cannot understand you, guys!!!  ???<br>I said I AM WEARING them!

[rod]

[quote author=Peter link=board=suspension;num=1057127333;start=15#22 date=07/09/03 at 09:19:55]If you aim the ducts for the centre of the hub internally to get the flow into the centrfugal fan effect of the vented discs, you might minimise the chance of temperature differential between inside and outside surfaces.[/quote]<br><br>DING !<br><br>Peter is spot on.<br><br>You will warp dics if duct anywhere other than the centre.  As someone else mentioned flexible ducting is best, I used aluminised cloth based stuff from Demon/Merlin.<br><br>

[ESM]

I've picked up a set of scuzzy 16v ATE calipers from a scrappie. After a lot of digging around I reckon that the Astra 16v (GTE & GSi), Cavalier GSI 16v & Calibra 16v up to 1995 all use the same ATE caliper - mine are from a Cavalier. After '95 the pad type changes but I think the only mod' is a slight change in the pot position relative to the pad - the geometry of the friction material is exactly the same but the spring position on the back of the pad is slightly offset. MkIII Astra calipers other than the 16v variety are similar ATE calipers but they have a slightly smaller pot size.<br><br>A quick measure suggests to me that the pad will slightly overhang the disc with the ATE calipers but I'll try it on the car and check that out for sure. Dimitris are you absolutely sure your pads aren't overhanging the disc at all? I know you're using them already but that doesn't mean they aren't overhanging. Are you using Astra GSi 16v pads?<br><br>If it does turn out to overlap I can't see straightforward way of modifying the caliper to resolve this  - a different pad geometry (I'm not optimistic a suitable candidate would be available) or a slightly bigger disc would seem to be only way forward.<br><br>By the way, I have a suspicion the Elan OE caliper is closely related to the '84-'86 Vauxhall Carlton caliper used with the 246mm ventilated disc. I reckon our caliper would position correctly relative to its disc and it uses the same pads. The one difference is its brake disc on the Carlton is 20mm thick instead of 24mm.

[rob]

I have ordered a set of Hi-Spec cross drilled 285mm discs, billet 4 pot calipers (in gold) plus a set of pads and two braded hoses they say 2-3 weeks delivery.  [smiley=big_teeth.gif]<br><br>If they work as well as people say I will be well happy.<br><br>

[ESM]

I've e.mailed a couple of disc manufacturers to see if they will make 266mm discs... Its worth asking the question.

[Peter]

Happen to have a MK3 astra 1994 and I agree with elanscanman re the installed to sizes of caliper supposedly 1995/6 on takes a larger pad appx 10% larger all round but looks the same, mine is definatley a 1994 face lift astra and has got the larger calipers.<br><br>PS havent measured them both yet but pretty sure it runs same discs as standard elan 255mm dia, vented 24mm thick, if so got a pair of standard discs for £30 from Cafco's in slough.

[ESM]

The discs are definitely identical. The trouble is on the Elan the PCD of the caliper mounting position is (I think) 10mm greater than the GM/Vauxhall standard. So to use a GM/Vauxhall caliper intended for a 256mm disc you have to have a 266mm disc on an Elan. A Vauxhall caliper intended for a 246mm disc would fit but only the nasty original equipment Delco caliper was made in this size >:(.

[Dimitris_GR]

Too bad I have no camera...

[Gregor]

May be you are looking for this calipers (right side !!)? <br><br>OE-Number:<br><br>OPEL  3487992 <br>OPEL  5 42 226 <br>OPEL  5 42 232 <br>OPEL  5 42 250 <br>OPEL  90297766 <br>OPEL  90487043 <br><br><br>You can also look here for brake parts: https://www.needforspeed.co.uk/index.asp<br><br>Then click: search by car part > Vauxhall > Astra Mk3 / Astra F '91-'98.  > thats it !<br><br>With the calipers I think they are wrong. The GSI uses never 20mm disks...<br><br>Something must be also wrong..: A german tuning-shop sells big brake kits with 288mm disks and they stated it will fit ALL FWD Opel/Vauxhall models from Corsa to Vectra "B" with 4x100 pattern.... I don´t knew what I should belive.... If ANY caliper from GTE/GSI or what ever will fit the Elan, - this brake kit will fit too !!!! (For 450,-Euro) including disks, calipers (new) and pads. I will buy a set of calippers from a calibra and maybe I can tell you more within the next week...

[Gregor]

I spoke to ATE (brake manufacturer) in Germany: The Opel Kadett "F and GTE" AND the "Astra GSI" use the same caliper (all with 52mm piston) The Opel Kadett GTE from 03/88 to 08/91 and then the Astra GSI (yes, GSI) from 09/91 to 01/98.....!! ?? <br><br>Dimitris, I think we need the part # from the caliper you use for your Elan....

[rob]

Yeah HISpec £600<br><br>fitted mine tonight, still a bit spungy after bleeding them twice. using DOT 5.1, we will see after 200 miles :-*

[ESM]

I still haven't chipped the rust off my ATE calipers or tried them on the car for size. Hopefully they'll fit like Dimitris's set but I've got a source of 266mm diameter discs in case they don't!<br><br>Sejoc<br>13 Civic Square<br>Tilbury<br>Essex<br><br>Tel 01375 846401<br><br>The cost breaks down as follows:<br><br>Disc (Clio 2l 16v 280mm machined down to 266mm): £38.95<br>pcd mod (prob. not required - I think the clio pcd is the same as the Elan): +£5<br>Grooved: +£10<br>Crossdrilled: +£10<br><br>All plus VAT. <br>The Clio disc has a 44mm offset instead of 41mm so 3mm washers should be used on the caliper mount.<br><br>A pair of grooved discs (no PCD adjusment) would cost £115. Volume discounts are available he'll quote me once he knows how much interest there is.<br><br>So if you pick up ATE calipers (cost me £45 for the pair at a scrappy, they are pretty scruffy but the pistons are perfect) and buy a pair of discs it'll cost you less than £200 to replace the stock system (allowing a few quid for a seal kit and some brake fluid). <br><br><EDIT><br>NB THIS WAS A DEAD END - THE CLIO DISCS WON'T FIT - THE CALIPER MOUNT WOULD GET IN THE WAY! 280mm VW CORRADO G60 DISCS WILL FIT THOUGH

[Sy V]

I've taken the Rob B option and ordered the HiSpec 4-pot system too.  Now for the shocks...

[Darren]

Sy,<br><br>Just remind me of the price again, as I may well get a set added to my wedding list  :D .<br><br>Darren<br>~~~~~