Xr2i brakes

[willowandmikey]

Hi guys I have a xr2i with ABS that was sitting for over ten years before I got my hands on it. It's all road legal and the brakes are good enough to pass a MOT but they aren't really effective. It's been suggested that where its been sitting the discs and pads would be knackered due to rust on the edges of the discs. I'm looking to change the discs and pads and fluid but is there anything else you guys would suggest to improve the brakes it's my weekend car not track days etc

[willowandmikey]

Forgot to say they are so shocking that however hard I hammer the brakes it slows down but the ABS doesn't kick in and it doesn't lock up just takes ages to slow down

[hamps]

Get rid of the abs mate

[Jizmondo Scrotmondo]

As above, get rid of the ABS. Give the brakes a good overhaul, new discs and pads all round (if it has them on the back? can't remember whether they do) change the fluid and check the whole system for leaks and corrosion.

[willowandmikey]

What would I need to do to get rid of the ABS?

[bortaf]

It's been sitting for 10 years and you havn't changed the fuild ?
i'd be looking into fixing the problem before ripping parts off, could be seized calipers but the MOT should have picked that up or the discs just need time to clean up, I would change the pads first they will have absorbed moisture sitting over the years TBh if rust on the disc was the problem the MOT should have picked up on it on inspection or the roller brake test ? rust on the edge where the pad doesn't touch wouldn't make any differance IMHO ?

Unless the problem is the abs then fix the problem before just removing parts willy nilly, if the car came with ABS it will be tested as such so the self test part of the system will need to work at the next MOT so be carefull what you remove, if it's old rubber belt round the drive shaft type then just remove the rubber belt (sorry you didn't state what year the car is so cant be sure what advice to give and be 100%.

[willowandmikey]

Hi it had a fresh mot when I bought it. I will change the discs and pads brake fluid and see how it responds

[willowandmikey]

It's a 1991

[ChasR]

When my 106 GTi had similar issues along with previous cars it was down to cheap pads (the pedal was very firm but the car refused to slow down at any decent rate) and discs which had seemed to have been overheated.

If it were me I would change the brake fluid first (on the basis it has probably not been change for a long long time!) and then progress onto changing the discs and pads on the front if the brake calipers are found to be in working order (if I am honest, it is surprising the state a number of brakes can pass an MOT with). I'd agree with Bortaf that I would try and fix the issues first before ripping things off.

On an old Mondeo of mine on Extremely Bad curse word (sorry, EBC) black Reg90 pads, the performance of the brakes were so poor that I remember on many an occasion hopelessly putting all of my might onto the brake pedal with the car barely slowing down. Even the replacement Halfords pads (I bought them out of desperation) were a massive improvement (and confirmed that the ABS was working!).

[willowandmikey]

Chasr I think you may be onto something the pedal is firm the calipers have been checked but its like they just don't bite. I'm going to do the fluid pads and discs when I get paid hopefully they will work a bit better !!