Brake modifications for better coasting

judebertjudebert familEE
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
While I've got this beast up on the jacks, I'd like to modify it for efficiency. I understand that, for most cars, there are two hardware modifications to be made: stopping the disc brakes from dragging, and better bearings.

Anybody know how to do do either of these things? (I just got 45mpg in my unmodified Civic Hatchback, and I'd like to be able to achieve similar with my Wagon.)

Comments

  • ThatDoodleThatDoodle Council Member
    you can't do anything to the bearings. I wouldnt even try. but as far as the brakes go you could rebuild your caliper and grease up the sliders so it retracts more after you let off the brake. :idea:
  • judebertjudebert familEE
    Can you even grease the bearings?

    I just found that a "square o-ring" (oxymoron alert!) is used in modern cars to help push the calipers back a little when the brake is released. And to stop the rear drums from dragging, you can remove the self-adjuster... but then you have to manually adjust the brakes.

    I'll be looking into the square o-ring, and testing my rear brakes to see how bad the drag is. After that, though, I'm going to give up and look at more important stuff.
  • sic944tsic944t Wagonist
    wasnt your car electric ??? and lower it put a front air damn on it get skinnier tires and run them at a high psi and get flat wheels maybe like moondisks and a rear wheel skirts help the aerodynamics
  • judebertjudebert familEE
    Yup. All that stuff is in the works, except the skinny tires -- I still need traction, and those tires provide both drive and steering (though the rear tires might get skinnier). Lowering is a definite possibility, high PSI / low rolling resistance tires are certain, moondisks are cheap and therefore certain, skirts and dams are subject to price and availability.

    But the wheels are off NOW. Brake and alignment mods are simple, cheap, and easy. And the last time I tried to spin the rotor without any connections, it didn't spin freely. If I can grease the bearings or something to reduce that drag, it would be helpful.

    I checked the Hanes manual, but it didn't say anything about bearings. So I came to the experts.
  • sic944tsic944t Wagonist
    well i am proposing you make the front air dam and side skirts and when i said skinny i mean like 165 175 series tires
    you can get plenty of traction with them in bad weather
    your ability to take corners fast will suffer but by lowering your car you should be able to carry more speed through more corners there by needin to acaelerate less in the long run
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