Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Does anyone know if the discs/pads on my 89 Safari (discs front and back unlike the locally delivered model) are the same as the locally delivered model (front)?

And do people like Bendix make them or do I have to use genuine Nissan ones?

Thanks,

Martin

Martin,
Patrol brake discs & pads are exactly the same as Safari ones (for a given diesel or petrol model).

Can use Bendix Metal Kings in the front and Bendix 4WD pads in the rear......if you use Metal Kings in the rear, they tend to lock-up too easily, even with the brake bias valve adjusted for susp lift.

Cheers
Mitch

Mitch,
I'm running the Metal Kings in the front, and was told not to run the 4wd pads rear, as they need to be warm to work, so a softer (OME) pad is better.
Do you notice a big difference with the 4wd pads in the rear? Can't seem to get my bias vavle set right, so was thinking of even going to Metal Kings rear too, any thoughts? At the moment on steep decents, the truck will creep on me at times, would the pads help?

Cheers,
Dave

Dave,
Metal Kings are the ones which need to be warm to work. The 4WD pads are softer than MK's (but probably harder than OEM).

Two weeks ago I did over 2,200 kms in 4 days (mostly gravel roads) doing recovery for the Rotorua Rally, and they never once let me down. The truck is very predictable and I had no problem slowing the truck a touch for corners, getting the back to step out, a flick of the wheel and give lotsa right foot to power out of the corners. No fade at all, even on stages like Motu (67kms) and Manawahae (47 kms). Couldn't be happier with them.

Not sure what you mean by "the truck will creep on me at times" though??

Mitch,
Thanks, I will order the new pads in the morning, as it takes a bit of road to slow the old hippo down at the moment

I do however have a problem with trying to hold the truck on the brakes on steep hills, as no matter how hard you push the pedal, it creeps foward (only very slightly, but not a nice feeling).
Wasn't sure if this was a booster or bias problem, or whether the new pads would have more "holding" power, but I'm guessing they are only for less fade?

Dave

thanks Mitch,

Think I need to try those pads out cos my brakes are pretty poor at the moment. I'll be going off road this w/e for the first time in this truck (it's new to me) so I'll see how it goes on some steeper stuff.

Cheers,

Martin

Dave / Martin,
With the OEM pads, I had problems holding the truck in place on aborted hill-climbs, to give me time to find reverse and gather my thoughts again....changing to Metal Kings made a big improvement, and truck happily holds in place now. I had replaced the master cylinder earlier which did help, but the pads improved things too.

Also check your vaccum supply. GQ clutch boosters have a habit of failing and robbing the vaccum circuit.
J Top

Hey Mitch when you talk about Metal Kings and 4wd pads, is that the brand or the type of pad?

In other words what do I ask for when I go to buy them?

Thanks again

Martin

Bendix is the brand, metal king/4wd are the types of pad



Dave

Cool, thx

GQ TROL wrote:Dave / Martin,
With the OEM pads, I had problems holding the truck in place on aborted hill-climbs, to give me time to find reverse and gather my thoughts again....changing to Metal Kings made a big improvement, and truck happily holds in place now. I had replaced the master cylinder earlier which did help, but the pads improved things too.

Ive heard that they arent good first thing in the morning, EG need to get hot to work??

GQ TROL wrote:
Dave / Martin,
With the OEM pads, I had problems holding the truck in place on aborted hill-climbs, to give me time to find reverse and gather my thoughts again....changing to Metal Kings made a big improvement, and truck happily holds in place now. I had replaced the master cylinder earlier which did help, but the pads improved things too.


Ive heard that they arent good first thing in the morning, EG need to get hot to work??

Yep, thats spot on Bruce. They stop you really well, but only when warmed up! Becomes second nature after a while, but can catch someone out if they're driving your vehicle.

sorry for the 'n00b' question, but I'm new to 4wd and doing my own maintenance.

In my patrol manual it says you need to drain some brake fluid from the master cylinder before replacing brake pads.

I thought I could just take the old ones off and put new ones on...........is it really necessary to drain the fluid?

Thanks,

If fluid level is within limits it will overflow when fitting new pad!
easier to siphon some rather than it spill everwhere

thanks

Had metal kings on my XC GXL Falcon..in the morning they were a bitch and would not hold the vehicle on a fast idle. OK when they warmed up.

They really wear the rotors down. Would never use them again. I use 4wd pads on the patrol and they are great hot or cold. I think they are bendix via Repco.