The Oldsmobile Connection

[Netdewt]

How might one find disc brake upgrades for the rear drum brakes on a Ciera? I don't understand how fitment of brakes works, and I can't imagine that theres nothing out there.

On another note, what does it mean if my ABS light is on?

[license2ill]

Do they even make a four-wheel disc brake conversion kit for the Cutty's?? I would like to know the answer to the disc brake question as well. -JJ

[Netdewt]

I doubt they do, but there's got to be a way to do it without major overhaul... how specialized does a brake need to be anyways? Can't it just be the right bolt pattern... I don't understand brakes.

[88 Coupe]

Netdewt wrote: How might one find disc brake upgrades for the rear drum brakes on a Ciera? I don't understand how fitment of brakes works, and I can't imagine that theres nothing out there.

On another note, what does it mean if my ABS light is on?
Hi Netdewt, license2ill, All
Just wondering why you would want to go to the time and expense of adding rear disc. Unless you plan on making multiple hard stops from 100 plus MPH in a short period of time, the brakes you have should be fine.
Your ABS light is telling you that the antilock system is not working.
Regards, Norm

[88delta88]

I wouldnt think that you'd notice a lot of difference, as long as your drums are set up properly! One of the sport models of your car likely has rear discs, maybe... ABS light on means your ABS is having a problem of some sort, and is likely disabled.

[Netdewt]

yah... drum brakes are just dumb and uuuugly....

thanks for the input on the abs light, thats what I guessed, but i wonder if it would be a crap load to fix... its been on all winter.

[Brando]

Netdewt wrote: yah... drum brakes are just dumb and uuuugly....

Yah...but they get the job done :D

TOC Admin
Brando

[projectheavytouring]

to swap to discs you need to swap out the drum, the spindle it mates to the rear suspension with and the thing that holds the line pressure off the master cylinder... I might have found a swap for the H body cars (I'll let ppl know after I've actually gotten the parts and see what fits

and as for brakes... "good enough" is alright... til it's not... ANY brake upgrade is a good thing... better feel, better control(modulation) ... cutting 10ft off your braking distance could save your life

from 60mph cars generally take 140-160 ft to stop... that's 8-10 delta88 car lengths

I do agree though that swaping to rear discs would be nice... but I also agree that it's not totally needed... do your fronts, and put good good shoes in the rear, with good high temp fluid, stainless steel braided lines and make sure the rears stay adjusted

and remeber those brakes were made with the stock weight and normal person speeds inmind... when you swap 14's to 17/18 ..20 inch rims your cars gonna stop slower...no matter how "light weight" the rim manufaturer says the rims are.. the heaviest part has been moved farther from the hub multiplying it's weight to be stoped and started

that extra 150-200 lbs (or more) in stereo equip... that slows your braking too


just food for thought guys ;)

[Erroneous Restrictionism!]

i think that drums are fine, they are way cheaper to maintain than rear discs which are sometimes twice the price as front discs. and im pretty sure i have only seen rear discs on a car with independent rear suspensions
like grand prix and cutlass supremes. the ceira has a suspension bar and its not independent. if you want rear discs then get a grand prix. a car that is DESIGNED FOR REAR DISCS. just my two cents. :wink:

[88Ciera_SC]

ok i got to sound off now... :shock:

i had a 1986 pontiac 6000STE that had 4 wheel disc and it was not independent suspension.
in fact nearly every part of that car can fit on my 88 ciera which if you all have been listening to me for the past months you would already know that.

anyways their is a conversion for 4 wheel discs but you'll have to make a trip to the junk yard lmao..

i once was going to do the conversion but it intaills changing just about every part of the braking system,especially the master cylinder, and i dont mind the drums really.

maybe you want 4 wheel discs because you cant change shoes? :-k

OMG theirs too many parts. #-o

[88 Coupe]

Hi All
If you are wondering how efficient your brakes are: find a level stretch of dry road somewhere and get down on the brakes hard and skid it to a dead stop from 60 MPH.
If you have 4 skidmarks from 60 to 0, you'll not stop any quicker with more brake.
More tread on the ground yes, but not more brake.
Full on racecars are a different story, and race parts are seldom suited to street vehicles.
Regards, Norm

[Erroneous Restrictionism!]

ok, well dont you think that an 88 ceira international like mine would have rear discs because of the trim level and options the car has. cause has far as i know my cutlass was at the top of the line...but anyway i dont want to turn this into a pissing contest...just my two cents :wink: if you want rear discs go ahead and spend the money

[Erroneous Restrictionism!]

88Ciera_SC wrote: ok i got to sound off now... :shock:

i had a 1986 pontiac 6000STE that had 4 wheel disc and it was not independent suspension.
in fact nearly every part of that car can fit on my 88 ciera which if you all have been listening to me for the past months you would already know that.

anyways their is a conversion for 4 wheel discs but you'll have to make a trip to the junk yard lmao..

i once was going to do the conversion but it intaills changing just about every part of the braking system,especially the master cylinder, and i dont mind the drums really.

maybe you want 4 wheel discs because you cant change shoes? :-k

OMG theirs too many parts. #-o

ya.. so does the chevy celebrity and buick century...question??? did you ever put the rear discs on your cutlass

[88Ciera_SC]

NO SIR.
never got the chance.
the city made me get rid of the 6000,some kind of zoning violation.