Crown Vic brake upgrade needed? '97
lifespeed
seem to run good. I bought it to tow a 4000 lb boat with, though. The
brakes have me concerned.
I tried stopping hard, and it appears that Fords version of antilock
(brake code 3) is insufficient braking power to lock the wheels? When
I bought it, and did not see the anti-lock hardware, I knew I wasn't
getting the option. But, I figured 4WDisc would be a big improvement,
anyway. Now I find out that the max braking power is limited in a way
that seems inappropriate for the tow car application.
It seems I would need to upgrade the master cylinder to provide more
pressure to the calipers? I believe I only saw the single, cheap,
piston in the brake calipers when I looked for ABS. Does the
aftermarket address these shortcomings with braking upgrades? What can
I do? I'm uncomfortable with brakes that don't have the power to lock
the wheels.
Is there by any chance a factory master cylinder that will provide the
needed performance increase? Ford truck? Older model CV?
Thanks for any help,
- Lifespeed
Ron
slotted front rotors. that should significantly improve braking for ya...
autozone has the pads and napa has the rotors.
"lifespeed" <life_...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2c507ad7.02013...@posting.google.com...
Stan Kasperski
The brakes are fine, but as far as pulling a 4000 pound trailer, this car
is very marginal, and only if you have surge brakes on the trailer. Not
because of the brakes, but because the car only weighs around 3900 pounds
itself. Most hitches for this car are available only to class II which is
good for up to 3500 #. I have the performance/handling package with the
3.27 rear end and would consider it just good enough to pull my 2700 pound
boat trailer without brakes, and that would be using only the first three
speeds with this tiny 280 ci engine. One nice option I have for towing is
the self leveling rear air spring setup which keeps everything on an even
keel when putting 7-10 % of the trailer weight on the hitch ball that far
back from the rear axle.
Stan K.
Johnny Johnson
> I tried stopping hard, and it appears that Fords version of antilock
> (brake code 3) is insufficient braking power to lock the wheels?
I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but; the purpose of the
Antilock Brake System (ABS) is to _prevent_ brake lockup.
It's doing what it's supposed to do.
lifespeed
You missed the point... read it again.
lifespeed
> My '92 Grand Marquis definitely will activate the ABS with ordinary pads.
> The brakes are fine, but as far as pulling a 4000 pound trailer, this car
> is very marginal, and only if you have surge brakes on the trailer. Not
> because of the brakes, but because the car only weighs around 3900 pounds
> itself. Most hitches for this car are available only to class II which is
> good for up to 3500 #. I have the performance/handling package with the
> 3.27 rear end and would consider it just good enough to pull my 2700 pound
> boat trailer without brakes, and that would be using only the first three
> speeds with this tiny 280 ci engine. One nice option I have for towing is
> the self leveling rear air spring setup which keeps everything on an even
> keel when putting 7-10 % of the trailer weight on the hitch ball that far
> back from the rear axle.
> Stan K.
I do not have antilock, just brakes that are not STRONG enough to
lock. Therefore, I could use more braking power, especially for
towing. I have Firestone airbags to load-level the car. You are
correct, trailer brakes are mandatory. I had drums on one axle on the
last boat, but I will install dual axle disc brakes to increase
stopping power on the new trailer.
I just need to increase the Crown Vic's braking power somewhat, to
provide a little extra safety margin.
A properly equipped 3900 lb car towing a 3900 lb boat is not
unreasonable nor unsafe, especially when tongue weight is kept within
reason.
- Lifespeed
fuel...@fiberia.com
Dual piston calipers and larger rotors from 1998+ crown vics can be
retrofitted onto a 97' vic.
1998 and later calipers will not clear the 15" rims on your 97' vic,
so you'll also need 4 new 16" rims and tires for the conversion.
lifespeed
> try aftermarket carbon metallic pads all around and a set of drilled and
> slotted front rotors. that should significantly improve braking for ya...
> autozone has the pads and napa has the rotors.
Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good, cheap, upgrade. I do wonder
if I shouldn't try converting to '98 calipers and rotors, although I'm
sure the cost is higher.
- Lifespeed
Ron
also maybe the spindles..news:2c507ad7.02020...@posting.google.com...
fast Ed
caliper brackets, flex hoses, bearing hubs, and a few other misc. pieces.
Probably not cost-effective. And the 16" rims as mentioned.
Probably cheaper to get a whole 1998 car instead !
--
Ed Nicholson
Thundersnake # 27
68 Cougar 289 EFI -- Cougar Club of America 2002 Calendar car, January
95 Thunderbird Super Coupe 3.8L SC 5-speed, 1 of 574 built
" I like when they haven't seen a thing and try to tell you where it goes,
I like when they talk real loud, try to tell you what they know "
-- from the song " I Like " by 'Men Without Hats' , 1983
remove 'spamania.' to reply by e-mail
<fuel...@fiberia.com> wrote in message
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lifespeed
> retrofitted onto a 97' vic.
>
> 1998 and later calipers will not clear the 15" rims on your 97' vic,
> so you'll also need 4 new 16" rims and tires for the conversion.
I've heard of this. I'd like to see a comprehensive list of parts to
be changed. It probably involves more than just the calipers and
rotors.
- Lifespeed
Doctor RPM
what they are for. These style rotors are designed only to reduce heat,
fade, and warpage. nothing more. Remember that. Unless you do high speed
driving where you frequently encounter brake fade, these rotors are
worthless.
Pad material is also quite inconsequential as it also makes no
difference in stopping power, only fade, wear and noise.
The only way to increase stopping power is to increase hydraulic
pressure to the caliper, convert to multi-piston calipers, or change
the ratio of master to slave volume thus increasing force, but also
increasing the amount of pedal travel required to operate the system.
But enough with the lesson, what needs to be done, since this is a
retird police vehicle we're talking about, is to replace the pads and
rotors front and rear. (you wouldn't beleive the glazing and hotspotting
police vehicles end up with) Also closly check the brake hoses for
cracks and swelling, you may need an assistant to pump the brakes while
you feel the hoses. This will restore the system. Keep in mind that the
brakes on a police CV will always feel different than any other CV,
thats just the way they are. Towing is a different issue.
Thomas Moats
the pad to rotor contact area. The increase in hydraulic pressure is because
on the increase of pad and rotor surface area.
"Doctor RPM" <Doc...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:10667-3C5...@storefull-292.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
lifespeed
> The spindles are the same, but you would need rotors, pads, calipers,
> caliper brackets, flex hoses, bearing hubs, and a few other misc. pieces.
> Probably not cost-effective. And the 16" rims as mentioned.
>
> Probably cheaper to get a whole 1998 car instead !
It does sound costly. Thank god the spindles aren't required. Does the
master cylinder remain the same?
OTOH, no price is too great when you really need those brakes!
What's the story on the rear brakes? Did they remain the same for '98?
Thanks for the info.
- Lifespeed
fast Ed
different master cyls. used. Some are carryover form 97, some are different
for 98. Chances are you would be OK with the original unit, but if you were
to find a donour car at a wrecking yard, then it would make sense to get all
the components if possible.
--
Ed Nicholson
Thundersnake # 27
68 Cougar 289 EFI -- Cougar Club of America 2002 Calendar car, January
95 Thunderbird Super Coupe 3.8L SC 5-speed, 1 of 574 built
" I like when they haven't seen a thing and try to tell you where it goes,
I like when they talk real loud, try to tell you what they know "
-- from the song " I Like " by 'Men Without Hats' , 1983
remove 'spamania.' to reply by e-mail
"lifespeed" <life_...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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