New Brake pads…retaining pins question

[S2Zetec54]

Hi All,

Been slightly disappointed with the brakes on my Europa recently….would like a smidge more bite…..so ordered a different compound and fitted them today. Haven’t been for a test drive yet so will report back. Ebc greenstuff.

I found the old pads very glazed so I may have my answer anyway and probably have an immediate improvement.

So the question…. The R clips although it good condition seem a little frail…has anyone used safety wire across both pins?

[jbcollier]

I haven't had an r-clip fail.  There is zero load on them.

Greenstuff pads work well: reasonable bite (too much just promotes front locking) and excellent modulation.  BUT, on a long, steep hill with lots of low speed turns, they will fade.  It's not the rotors.  Just something to keep in mind.

[S2Zetec54]

Hi JB

Thank you very much that’s good to know, makes complete sense and I will tread carefully as I learn the pad’s characteristics

All the best

Andrew

[Pfreen]

I found greenstuff pads on my Europa JPS with boosters to have too much bite, and the fronts locked up prematurely.

I went with Mintex 1144 pads and I like them very much.  Not too much bite, but just enough.
There aren't many mountains in Florida and I don' race, so  cannot comment on fade.

[S2Zetec54]

Mintex 1144 That’s interesting…..I'll keep that in mind. Just done a quick search and I see that 1144 is the compound so I'll use the old pads for the shape and dimensions so I can get a match if I need to with my favourite motorsport supplier

Thanks

[Pfreen]

The Mintex part number is mgb533-1144

[jbcollier]

+1

While the greenstuff are just fine away from the mountains, I, too, would suggest the Mintex 1144s.  They have a higher heat load capacity over the greenstuff.   My Europa has no boosters so the greenstuff's initial bite was not an issue.

[S2Zetec54]

Thanks ever so much both of you…..I'll get a set of those as well and experiment with both of them.

[Kendo]

Does Mintex make a compatible rear brake shoe? The Mintex site doesn't mention the Europas, and for the Spitfires and Herold, no brake shoes are listed.

And if Mintex doesn't provide, is there a matching shoe from someone else?

[Pfreen]

Not that I know of.  I know you can buy friction material and rivet them to the steel part of the shoe.  That way the braking can be engineered other than changing hydraulic piston diameters or a balance valve or bar.

I have never riveted friction material for drum brakes. 

Off the shelf, there is a cheap set of shoes which everyone seems to stock.  I think Lotus Engineering in the uk sells a competition shoe. 

[kram350kram]

I sent my rear shoes to Porterfield Racing and they relined them in their street lining material.