Stag front brakes

[johnnydog]

I just put a trailer hitch on my '75 2500S Estate. I was concerned about engine pulling power and never even considered braking performance! I've ordered all the bits to install the Stag dual brake system, but this only makes it safer, not better brakes. So, I started following this thread and frankly I still don't know what to do; Should I add Stag brakes? I have 14" wheels, but don't the late 2500's have the bigger brakes already? In some sites the Stag pads have the same part number as the 2500 pads. How do I determine what calipers I've got?
20230625_104518_resized.jpg

My understanding is that the Stag used the exact same front brake pad as the very late Mk1 2000 and 2.5PI (both with .500 discs), and all Mk2 2000's, 2.5PI and 2500 models.

[torque2me]

When you consider that modern car manufacturers recommend new discs every third pad change, taking out the upsell aspect of it, the quality of the original Triumph brake discs must have been far superior in quality to todays modern brake discs.

The moderns certainly rust (surface) quicker. Wonder if anyone has checked the brake disc on their modern before fitment and then when removed and see what the wear rate is? Going to do that on my ZT260 but it will be many years before the result is in and I'll probably be pushing up daisies by then.

Testers and mechanics/fitters always seem to comment on the "state" of brake discs (at least on mine) when checks are done. Couldn't possibly be fuelling my suspicions that it is a reasonably easy and lucrative job to change it all out could it?

Kev

[torque2me]

I just put a trailer hitch on my '75 2500S Estate. I was concerned about engine pulling power and never even considered braking performance! I've ordered all the bits to install the Stag dual brake system, but this only makes it safer, not better brakes. So, I started following this thread and frankly I still don't know what to do; Should I add Stag brakes? I have 14" wheels, but don't the late 2500's have the bigger brakes already? In some sites the Stag pads have the same part number as the 2500 pads. How do I determine what calipers I've got?
20230625_104518_resized.jpg

The original Stanpart/Unipart brake pads for the Stag and 2500 (1975 facelift) have different pad part numbers. I still have one set of oem Stag pads with the differing ID number but don't ask me to quote it just now as I'm not anywhere near my parts bin. When the pad number was harmonised for Stag and late 2500 to GBP242 I do not know but I'm going to guess it was at or just after ceasing of Stag and Innsbruck production. Similar tale on wiper blades for Stag, the specially designed ones for Stag (which actually wiped the screen) were substituted for MGB one's once final stock for oem Stag were depleted.

I changed my 2500s rear brake to Stag drums and shoes and found one to lock every year or so and need a clean/tweek. As the handbrake levers have different part numbers you may need to experiment which work best and I believe there is an extra length one in circulation (could be an extension fitted) but I've never experimented with that.

I don't know what the difference in caliper type is other than whilst looking very similar they have different part numbers. Someone might have that knowledge.

Kev

[johnnydog]

When you consider that modern car manufacturers recommend new discs every third pad change, taking out the upsell aspect of it, the quality of the original Triumph brake discs must have been far superior in quality to todays modern brake discs.

The moderns certainly rust (surface) quicker. Wonder if anyone has checked the brake disc on their modern before fitment and then when removed and see what the wear rate is? Going to do that on my ZT260 but it will be many years before the result is in and I'll probably be pushing up daisies by then.

Testers and mechanics/fitters always seem to comment on the "state" of brake discs (at least on mine) when checks are done. Couldn't possibly be fuelling my suspicions that it is a reasonably easy and lucrative job to change it all out could it?

Kev

The severity of the lip that develops on modern brake discs after a relative short period of use indicates that they are made of chocolate rather than with a high carbon content in the steel. Plus the pad often does cover the whole braking surface resulting in the lip. I don't ever recall seeing an original Triumph disc with a lip on the outer edge....

[Alec]

Hello Johny,

brake discs are not steel but cast iron, a more stable material when heated.
I understood that the high rate of wear these days are because the pads are no longer made of asbestos and the modern brake pads are more abrasive?

Alec

[johnnydog]

Alec,
Yes, I accept that, though I refered to them as 'steel' as for example my Audi has ceramic brakes - in the advertising blurb at the time the brake options were described as 'steel' or 'carbon ceramic'. Stainless steel brake discs are also now available from some vehicle manufacturers.
So, yes, cast iron, Alec. Although they are often 'incorrectly' referred to as steel.

[Richard B]

Stag pads are the same as 2000/2.5. But the discs are a larger diameter. this is the difference in the calipers as the legs are londger and the braking force is greater.

[torque2me]

When you consider that modern car manufacturers recommend new discs every third pad change, taking out the upsell aspect of it, the quality of the original Triumph brake discs must have been far superior in quality to todays modern brake discs.

The moderns certainly rust (surface) quicker. Wonder if anyone has checked the brake disc on their modern before fitment and then when removed and see what the wear rate is? Going to do that on my ZT260 but it will be many years before the result is in and I'll probably be pushing up daisies by then.
Kev

Glad this has subject has surfaced again as I've just had new discs fitted a few weeks ago. I'll now need to measure.
Kev

[torque2me]

Stag pads are the same as 2000/2.5. But the discs are a larger diameter. this is the difference in the calipers as the legs are londger and the braking force is greater.

Yes, pads are the same now but previously they had different part numbers. They look physically the same so it might just be GBP242 was adopted in the parts manual of the Innsbruck range before the Stag parts book was updated. Therefore the swept area is the same with GBP242 no matter what size disc is present. We would have many questions for Triumph Unipart/BL/MGR if they were still in existence.
Kev