GQ Brakes

[Ghost]

I have a GQ LWB Hiroof 90 model not the Safari import. The brakes are ok but not good has anyone changed to a bigger caliper or know of a better way to improve the standard brakes to the point they are good, or even better then normal.

[Ezookiel]

Mine suck too.
Decent pads helped, but I'm thinking of going slotted rotors on the next upgrade. Being an auto, she needs all the help she can get on the way down hills etc.


Just curious about the description of your vehicle.
Mine's an 11/'89 build, '90 registered Hi-roof GQ.
Is this the same sort of vehicle as yours?

[rOd]

Mine suck too.
Decent pads helped, but I'm thinking of going slotted rotors on the next upgrade. Being an auto, she needs all the help she can get on the way down hills etc.


Just curious about the description of your vehicle.
Mine's an 11/'89 build, '90 registered Hi-roof GQ.
Is this the same sort of vehicle as yours?

The slotted rotors help but Im sure mated with the right pads would improve them again.
Ive got slotteds with Bendix 4wd pads and I think there is still room for improvement there. But its a vast improvement from stock.
Also a good brakefluid flush works wonders as well. I do this a day before my rego pinkslip check that way it gets replaced annually and I know my brakes are in top condition for the check.

Rod

[dirtyGQ]

Gq brakes are shite but i would never go slotted rotors as the mud and garbage would tend to get stuck in them and demolish the rotor and pads...well thats what i think would happen .... if your truck is lifted have you done anything with the proprtioning valve >

[Ghost]

Mines a 11/89 Build Purchased in 90 in Brisbane. Will try to adjust the proprtioning valve and see if that helps. Mine seems to be working the back brakes pretty hard already though. Have a pic but i dont have any software here to resize i so will resize it tmrw at work

[bogged]

Not sure about imports, but on the EFI model, the brakes are twin piston calipers and bolt straight on

Have a set of calipers and discs here forsale ready to go if your interested $350

[chops]

slight thread hijack here, but will 15" rims still fit over the twin pot caliper brake combo?

[bogged]

slight thread hijack here, but will 15" rims still fit over the twin pot caliper brake combo?

Some here have done it, so going by that, yes they will..

..then again some people here seem to get 100,000klms out of 44in boggers engineered legally on a Suzuki Mightyboy as the best road holding tires they have ever used...

[lexi]

Off topic.......Is that a mobile phone mast and a CB Ariel on the bar of Safari?
ALEX

[Ghost]

Bogged

that would be great can we catch up next week to trade parts for cash

[Ezookiel]

BTW, how can you tell if it's not an import?
My understanding was all these hi-roof versions were imports.

[Ghost]

Usually the imports have Safari on the back.But not always. Or look in the log book see where it was purchased. Maybe a complience plate or mod plate might give it away as well. There is a few cosmetic differences i have noticed, but not sure if its consistant etc...

Some have a inclinometer as far as i know the Ozzie ones didnt
Some have a PTO winch, rear ladder, Sports Bar on front.
Some have Granard on back

There was only around 200 original GQ Ti hi-roofs released in Oz but its only what i have been told no proof of it.

[ausoops]

its not granard its GranRoad i thinks its the equivalent of a TI patrol

[Freakazoid]

In South Africa the GQ's only came out with twin pot calipers in front and a 15" rim does fit over the caliper.

[Jimbo]

Yes 15" rims still fit........i have them on mine with the twin piston calipers.....still doesnt pull up well :( but i cant compare to the single piston.

[Mrs Ludacris]

Upgrade your rotors, good brake pads, and braided brake lines all round will improve them.

LudaCris

[Ezookiel]

What are we up for to do that (minus the pads, I've already paid good money for decent pads)

[blkmav]

Gq brakes are shite but i would never go slotted rotors as the mud and garbage would tend to get stuck in them and demolish the rotor and pads...well thats what i think would happen

This is incorrect, slotted rock

[Ezookiel]

My understanding is that Slotted let's out the gas build up from under the pad, which can push the pad away from the rotor.
This thing being an auto, has less than perfect hill descent, meaning the brakes get quite a workout at times, which I'd imagine is when gas build up would be the greatest.

I'm very keen to go to slotted, as I doubt dirt build up would be anywhere nearly as bad as the advantages slotted would provide.
I'd not however thought about going to braided lines. How does that help?
I'm assuming it prevents loss of pressure to the line expanding.

[bogged]

Gq brakes are shite but i would never go slotted rotors as the mud and garbage would tend to get stuck in them and demolish the rotor and pads...well thats what i think would happen

This is incorrect, slotted rock

correct - drilled sux

[BowTieGQ]

One of the mags just had an article on pads and rotors. A better idea for 4WD's are slotted and dimpled. Dimples wont fill with crap and stay there.

[dirtyGQ]

My understanding is that Slotted let's out the gas build up from under the pad, which can push the pad away from the rotor.
This thing being an auto, has less than perfect hill descent, meaning the brakes get quite a workout at times, which I'd imagine is when gas build up would be the greatest.

I'm very keen to go to slotted, as I doubt dirt build up would be anywhere nearly as bad as the advantages slotted would provide.
I'd not however thought about going to braided lines. How does that help?
I'm assuming it prevents loss of pressure to the line expanding.

here in qld braided brake lines are illegal for road use .

[simcoz]

Some braided lines are DOT approved in QLD.

Also bendex 4wd pads are shite[waste of money in my opinion]

[nastytroll]

been driving ute with std rotors n bendex 4x4 pads as daily driver for 6 years stoppings never been an issue running 35 bf at's first year n 37 mtr's since u need to set your perportioning valve 2 full by removing spring to diff n replacing stop bolt with threaded rod put lock nut onto valve body hold arm in till it just bottums n screw nyloc nut so arm is lightly held all the way in. My ute will still lock up wheels in the dry if i stomp the brake

[Jimbo]

"My ute will still lock up wheels in the dry if i stomp the brake"

My gq will also easily lock them up in the dry but what about slowing down fast from 100km/hr or coming own a long steep hill??? Thats when the crappy bendix pads (i use them unfortunately) show their limits.

[BushPig]

G'day All,

Have read this thread with interest, and would appreciate some advice.

I have a 1990 GQ station wagon with a lot of resident gear aboard, and have found that the single piston caliper is not up to the task when I load up for a trip away.

I understand that the GU has a dual piston caliper, but is it easily grafted to the GQ, and does it require an engineers cert in NSW??

Any advice would be appreciated.

Roger

[turps]

Roger
There is a twin piston caliper for the GQ from factory and it is a bolt on to the single piston axle.
All you need is the twin piston calipers plus a new set of discs.
There from EFI GQ's.
Or you could contact ATS in geelong or Ontrack in Kielor and they have an orwsome brake upgrade. Not cheap though, but there huge calipers with huge pistons.
Lock up 36's no problem, from what Andrew says.

[hammey]

hey bush pig,

your right, I recently slotted a gu front diff into my 92gq and it went straight in without a problem. (2.8)

HOWEVER, a friend of mine bought one and you couldnt fit a 15x8" rim over the caliper.

We think it might have been a 4.8, but not sure.

Mine has twin piston calipers and slotted roters and stops on a dime!!!!!!!
Plus, the CV's are bullet proof. No cert. is required.
When you fit it make sure the brakes are bled with a venturi bleeder, it does make a difference.
Cheers

[brighty]

anymore on these brake upgrades or is that just about it????

[BushPig]

Thanks for all the good advice Fellas, looks like I can upgrade without much of a problem

Roger