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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: TahoeYJ on June 24, 2009, 10:52:33 PM

Title: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on June 24, 2009, 10:52:33 PM
I remember a family friend telling me way back when that when adding disks brakes to a YJ, you've got to either get a new Master cylinder, or add say a proportioning valve? I'll be hooking up my disk brakes for my 9" sometime this next week after they arrive, and I figure if I'm going to be doing work on my brakes (front end is out and calipers are off, so all 4 corners will be bled anyway) I might as well get it done in one shot.

I don't know what exactly I'll have to change (if anything) and I imagine every Jeep will probably react differently to a brake upgrade, but would it be worthwhile to add something such as this Wilwood proportioning valve? It's fairly inexpensive...http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WIL-260-8419/

I'm definitely not a brake expert, I know how to change them and bleed them but that's it... I just want to make sure I tackle any possible issues before my rig sees the road...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Jeffy on June 24, 2009, 11:10:27 PM
A new proportioning valve is a good idea BUT you'll want to take the pill out of the stock proportioning valve.  You might try driving it with just the pill removed and see if it needs one.

Setting up the proportioning valve will take some time and testing as you will have to turn, test, turn test...  You don't want the rear to lock up before the front nor do you want the rear to make the front do all of the work.
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on June 24, 2009, 11:18:09 PM
A new proportioning valve is a good idea BUT you'll want to take the pill out of the stock proportioning valve.  You might try driving it with just the pill removed and see if it needs one.

Setting up the proportioning valve will take some time and testing as you will have to turn, test, turn test...  You don't want the rear to lock up before the front nor do you want the rear to make the front do all of the work.
Where would this pill be located in the stock valve? I assume it must be easy enough to remove?

I figured it'd take some time to get the proportioning valve just right, but if I run into any problems I figured it'd be my best/cheapest option.

I guess I'll just hold off on an aux. valve until I know whether or not I need one. Even if the brakes do feel a bit off, it shouldn't be a problem driving around town I assume
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Jeffy on June 24, 2009, 11:40:06 PM
You can probably remove the whole piston and spring instead of leaving parts in there.  Otherwise you'd remove the proportion valve all together then connect the front lines together with a T fitting and add the new proportion valve to the rear.  Or you could leave the stock valve and take the piston out then tape the new one into the rear brakes.

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Proportioning_Valve_Mod.htm
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Jesse-James on June 25, 2009, 09:34:29 AM
I plan on gutting mine and adding a single line proportioning valve on the rear if needed.
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: neale_rs on June 25, 2009, 09:38:13 AM
If you are willing to eliminate your brake warning light it is pretty easy with the T, like Jeffy mentioned.  I may do this if new rear shoes don't fix my rear lockup problem.

Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: jfrabat on June 25, 2009, 09:48:08 AM
In the race car some friends made, they actually have a lever proportioning valve, so they can adjust according to the conditions.  In case of a Jeep, I also think something that is easily adjustable would be beneficial, as you can increase the rear proportion if you are towing or have a tone of equipement in the rear, but can then take off some "bite" if you are running with no top and nothing on the back...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Bounty Hunter on June 25, 2009, 04:07:15 PM
I went with a '78 Grand Marquis master cylinder for 4wheel disc and hydroboost, you get a larger piston and a MC valved for discs.  Then installed a Grand Cherokee prop. valve designed for 4whl disc, easily installs in place of the stock prop. valve.

The stock setup has too much residual pressure on the rear drums, too much for rear discs.  The stock setup also doesn't push enough fluid to the rear for the larger fluid capacity of the calipers.

You can also run the front brakes straight from the master cylinder, and install the adj. Wildwood prop. valve inline with the rear brakes.
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on June 25, 2009, 10:19:19 PM
I went with a '78 Grand Marquis master cylinder for 4wheel disc and hydroboost, you get a larger piston and a MC valved for discs.  Then installed a Grand Cherokee prop. valve designed for 4whl disc, easily installs in place of the stock prop. valve.

The stock setup has too much residual pressure on the rear drums, too much for rear discs.  The stock setup also doesn't push enough fluid to the rear for the larger fluid capacity of the calipers.

You can also run the front brakes straight from the master cylinder, and install the adj. Wildwood prop. valve inline with the rear brakes.
For what I highlighted in red, would this be a viable/safe solution? It must be safe, otherwise you wouldn't recommend it right?  ;) Also, would there be any issue with the front wanting to lock up without running them through the stock P.V? Seems like the most cost effective way to go for now. I'd have the money within a matter of weeks, but right now I just really need to get my rig finished (Hoping it's driving before next Saturday...) as I've been without it for 2 months. Plus I've got plans to buy new steering linkage too... And I'm due for tires...

I like what jfbrat mentioned as well, although the lever prop. valve is almost double the price I'd just go with the knob style prop. valve, even if it takes more time to adjust. But I do tow from time to time, so it'd be nice to be able to adjust the brake bias during towing periods.
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: drunkencityworker on June 26, 2009, 07:42:36 AM
i grabbed a prop valve from a cherrokee with rear disc at the junkyard for $8.will go in when i do 8.8. if not enuff going to change master cyl like bounty hunter suggested
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: neale_rs on June 26, 2009, 08:19:59 AM
I was told by a Jeep fab shop owner that the TJ (rear drums) and TJ Rubicon (rear disks) proportioning valves are the same.  I also looked on Chrysler Direct just now and they do not list a separate Rubicon proportioning valve. This may help you.
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on June 26, 2009, 09:07:35 PM
I think I'll try and run up to Pick N Pull and find a GC prop. valve, if there's any GC's there... Either that or just try removing the front from the stock prop. valve and adding the rear one like Bh suggested. I can get a Wilwood knob style valve at a local race car parts place for about the same price as Summit, so I figure it's worth a shot. Definitely going to weigh out my options this weekend though and think about which way I really want to go...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: drunkencityworker on June 27, 2009, 11:52:22 PM
almost as many rear disc cherokees at u pull it in chicago as explorers. bring line wrench and go on half price day. should take ya no time and no pricey bling...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on July 05, 2009, 05:59:52 PM
You can probably remove the whole piston and spring instead of leaving parts in there.  Otherwise you'd remove the proportion valve all together then connect the front lines together with a T fitting and add the new proportion valve to the rear.  Or you could leave the stock valve and take the piston out then tape the new one into the rear brakes.

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Proportioning_Valve_Mod.htm
So I just took the o-ring out but left the piston in, what you're saying is to try it with the whole pill removed? It sounds like I'll need the whole thing out anyway if I'm going to install an aftermarket rear proportioning valve. I'll have to try it with the whole pill removed I guess and see what it feels like before I know if I need the prop valve. If I do need one, a local performance parts store carries them so I can get it installed the same day.

Pretty dumb question, but I leave the spring out too, right?
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Mr_Random on July 05, 2009, 11:58:46 PM
Here's a link to an 8.8 swap into an XJ, very detailed and should help (considering all 8.8's past ~96 were disk).

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000520 (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000520)
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on July 06, 2009, 09:45:16 PM
Here's a link to an 8.8 swap into an XJ, very detailed and should help (considering all 8.8's past ~96 were disk).

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000520 (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000520)
Thanks for that link. After reading his thoughts on how the brakes reacted with the pill removed, I feel that mine will be OK. Granted I'm still going to install a Wilwood prop. valve (A friend of mine will be in Reno in a week  and is making a stop at Summit Racing's warehouse, so I'm going to have him pick one up), but I think it'll be fine for now. I would think the XJ prop. valve is a bit different than the YJ valve, but probably pretty close to the same. I'll just have to drive it without the pill and see  :smokes:

My main concern is towing... But by the time I tow anything, I'll for sure have an adjustable prop. valve in
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Mr_Random on July 07, 2009, 01:24:29 AM
Thanks for that link. After reading his thoughts on how the brakes reacted with the pill removed, I feel that mine will be OK. Granted I'm still going to install a Wilwood prop. valve (A friend of mine will be in Reno in a week  and is making a stop at Summit Racing's warehouse, so I'm going to have him pick one up), but I think it'll be fine for now. I would think the XJ prop. valve is a bit different than the YJ valve, but probably pretty close to the same. I'll just have to drive it without the pill and see  :smokes:

My main concern is towing... But by the time I tow anything, I'll for sure have an adjustable prop. valve in

Glad it eased your mind! It convinced me to choose to (later) install an 8.8! Looks like I may be job searching soon though, so such high hopes are unlikely...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on July 07, 2009, 07:54:45 AM
Glad it eased your mind! It convinced me to choose to (later) install an 8.8! Looks like I may be job searching soon though, so such high hopes are unlikely...
I know what you mean. I wasn't working much when I first decided to do my 9" swap, but I've been busy as hell these past few weeks and will be for another 2 at least. Then hopefully I'll be helping a friend/neighbor with a remodel that's about 1.4 mile up the road from me  :smokes:


If you do have to go job searching, good luck!  :beers:
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: Mr_Random on July 07, 2009, 12:59:35 PM
Thanks, I'll probably find some low voltage electrical work...

Do you suggest a 9" over an 8.8? i like the SF/FF options on the 9", but really don't plan on running anything over 33"s so I don't think it matters... Either way it's awesome to see someone near my age get a swap together and almost completed! Time for me to  buy a welder...
Title: Re: Disk brake upgrade question...
Post by: TahoeYJ on July 12, 2009, 08:30:43 PM
You can probably remove the whole piston and spring instead of leaving parts in there. 

Thought I would post for the record that, well... This won't work!  :pot:  :nod:

Without the piston inside the proportioning valve, it leaves the bleeder hole open, at least on mine it did. So I tried doing it the same way as the dude in the thread on NAXJ that Mr Random posted, that is removing the o-ring and spring but leaving the piston. Even then, you have to bleed the prop. valve through the lines going to the master cylinder (as described in the first link Jeffy posted). Sorry if my description seems a bit vague  :confused:

But all in all, pedal pressure feels good although I won't really know until I get the Jeep running and can drive it tomorrow. But I feel it'll work out fairly well