1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Rear Disc Brakes

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Old 08-07-2007, 01:49 PM
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Default Rear Disc Brakes

Is it possible, practical, economical to install disc brakes on the rear of a 1994 Bonneville SE?
Are kits available?

I'm just haven't had a car with drum brakes in so long it'* painful to think about it.
Old 08-07-2007, 01:58 PM
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It'* possible, I'll let the more technically capable answer that question for you better...

But just so you know, in our front heavy cars, having rear drum brakes isn't really harmful. Your front discs are doing nearly all of the work.
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Old 08-07-2007, 02:36 PM
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I think i read that the 96-99 deville will swap with our cars. I cant stand drum brakes neither in the rear. Seems like the car is harder to stop with rear drum brakes.
Old 08-07-2007, 02:43 PM
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Believe it or not, the drum brakes on these cars are very sufficient for the car. Plus it is a very simple setup, with only one coil spring, a retractor spring, adjuster assembly, park brake lever, and the shoes. Other than that, it is the simplest drum brake setup I have ever seen.
Old 08-07-2007, 05:40 PM
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not really worth your effort. Adjusting your rear drums from time to time will prove to be cheaper and almost equally effective.
Old 08-08-2007, 11:18 AM
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Default Re: Rear Disc Brakes

Originally Posted by JMH1950
Is it possible, practical, economical to install disc brakes on the rear of a 1994 Bonneville SE?
Are kits available?

I'm just haven't had a car with drum brakes in so long it'* painful to think about it.
I dont care what other says bout drums brakes - I think they suck. I rode my friends GXP with 4 wheel discs and let me tell ya it stops like my 1979 Silver 10th anniversary Trans-am with 4 wheel discs - stops on a dime and straight as an arrow. I felt the difference getting back into my 1993 ssei bonneville. Drums dont grip as hard and not necesary stops straight and smooth as 4 wheel disc. - You can adapt to 4 wheels from a different year but you need all the necessary hardware - like portitioning valve, master cylinder, brake booster and lines and spindles from a bonneville with 4 wheel discs. I'm in the process of doing mine soon - after riding one with 4 wheel discs - its a plus on our big boats.
Old 08-08-2007, 11:22 AM
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I think I read a bit on this in the Performance and Brainstorming area. There have been a few that wanted...to my knowledge, no one has done it yet.
Old 08-08-2007, 12:54 PM
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Default Re: Rear Disc Brakes

Originally Posted by bigbadbonneville

I'm just haven't had a car with drum brakes in so long it'* painful to think about it.
I dont care what other says bout drums brakes - I think they suck. I rode my friends GXP with 4 wheel discs and let me tell ya it stops like my 1979 Silver 10th anniversary Trans-am with 4 wheel discs - stops on a dime and straight as an arrow. I felt the difference getting back into my 1993 ssei bonneville. Drums dont grip as hard and not necesary stops straight and smooth as 4 wheel disc. - You can adapt to 4 wheels from a different year but you need all the necessary hardware - like portitioning valve, master cylinder, brake booster and lines and spindles from a bonneville with 4 wheel discs. I'm in the process of doing mine soon - after riding one with 4 wheel discs - its a plus on our big boats.[/quote]

The front brakes on the 92-99 cars are undersized, and the assist systems of the older cars can't touch that of a newer one in terms of feel, pressure, etc...
Old 08-08-2007, 01:23 PM
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Don't forget about the ABS also. If you want to keep it, you need to make sure that the system is the same for your car and the one you pull parts off of. I am not even sure if there IS a car with the same ABS system and rear discs as the '92 - '99 Bonneville. From what I have read, some people have brought up the Pontiac 6000 STE???, but that is about it.

I am sure that if this was an easy swap, it would have been done many times here, if for no reason other then looks alone. Keep in mind that brake setups are designed specifically for each car and swapping from one car to another could result in poor / unbalanced braking. That could, of course, be adjusted with a proportioning valve and the right master cylinder, but that would possibly take some trial and error.
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