power assisted brakes?

Anyone use one of those remote hydraulic assists? Is there such a thing that mounts remote to the MC and plumbs into it? Just thinking about power brakes...maybe I am too used to them from driving my other cars...

My brakes just don't seem to stop that well for front disc brake conversion and rear 11 inch drums. Perhaps a booster is in order. I read somewhere about organic brake pads...is it true they will stop better than semimetallic on manual brakes?

 

Prior to converting over to 4 wheel discs I plumbed in a hydroboost setup from an old Ford pickup. I just spliced it into my brake line between the master cylinder and the front/rear split. It really made a difference in pedal effort.

Prior to installing it we tested the pressure we got with the stock system and then with the hydroboost and the pressure was roughly 50% higher if I remember correctly. We thought that was a big enough boost to continue with the install. Very easy and very reliable. No pedal or master cylinder changes.

I also kept a short piece of brake line in the Jeep with me so I could put it in place of the hydroboost lines if something happened to it on the street. I mounted the hydroboost in front of the grill. It was a great conversation piece and caused some head scratching at tech inspections.

 

I believe it was Patrick that recommended organic pads.
http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&...j5.com+organic+brake+pads&fp=c3bb86640ae08969

I suspect that davet is referring to hydrovac (like what Howard shows), not hydroboost. A hydroboost is powered by your power steering pump, and must go inline with the pedal rod, like a vacuum booster.

I would certainly start with organic pads - that's such an easy change. A power setup on the floor pedals is complicated. If you had swinging pedals, a power upgrade would be much easier, either with a vacuum booster or hydroboost.

 

Yes, that is exactly what I have. It worked extremely well and was very easy to hook up.

 

organic pads for the drums also? Or is there such a thing and does it matter?

 

I believe you'll get organic pads for the drum brakes unless you seek out semi-metallics.

Anyway, the front brakes do most of the stopping, so that's where you'll see the main effect.

 

I got Herm's disc kit. I guess I need to know what year and vehicle they came out of for replacement. Anyone know off hand?

 

any special tips for changing the disc pads? Such as grease behind the pad or such?

 

I don't recommend grease behind the pad. If you are worried about squeal due to vibration, get some of the tacky spray and use it. Some replacement pads come with peel and stick on the back of them already. If your pads have "ears" on them that hold them to the caliper, make sure those are a tight fit. You can tap them with a hammer and check, tap, check etc.

Use the old pad with a C clamp to push your piston back in the caliper. If you have topped off the MC, be sure you suck a little out because you will be pushing flood back into the MC when you do that. Loosen the cover but don't remove to allow the flood into the MC without spraying it all over your firewall.

Make sure any pins or moving parts are clean and rust free when you put it back together and it should be good to go.

good luck

 

Prior to my recent power assist upgrade I did the front disc conversion. The organic pads made a huge difference.

 

Does anyone know a source of good organic pads? Is kevlar considered organic?

 

What calipers are you running? I have 82' Chevy Blazer calipers and found a P/N from Raybestos - RRD52.

 

Any flaps should be able to get organic pads. Kevlar, ceramic, semi-metallic are not organic.

 

according to herm any pads off a 78-80 cj5 would work. He said GM calipers are also similar. Guess that means the same year.