al18 said:

Waww, take a breath digger, its replies like yours that put people off using friendly forums. If you already know everything and are offended by all who don't then why go online?
As for handling etc, he never asked for or im sure imagined his camper to act like a car but simply asked for advice on improving the break efficiency. Which as he stated the vehicle had been modified to produce more power would surely be a sensible option.

Different pads is an option worth looking at, braided flexi hoses could help with the pedal feel and its possible to have the discs machined(grooved/slotted/drilled),company's do them to the standard discs. Il look for a link for you mate, good luck , Al

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I'm guessing that braided hoses are more resistant to the hydraulic pressure giving greater feel, the rotors have had 90.000kms and it might be an option to drill new ones! As you rightly say, I'm on this forum precisely because I'm seeking higher knowledge, this is not my forté, ask me one on teeth!

Yip mero, the braided hoses stop any slight buldging that the standard hoses might do.
Can also upgrade the brake fluid to a DOT 5 but i think thats more of an issue for heavy use and higher temperatures(DOT 4 can boil off due to excessive temps).

Beware. Do not use DOT 5 brake fluid in your system, stay with DOT 4.
If you know a good mechanic, ask him to check your fluid with an hygrometer to determine the moisture content. If the fluid has not been changed for some time, I would bet that the reading will be around 4%+ which is in dangerous territory.
Braided brake lines can be expensive and will return minimal benefit to the average Joe.
Machine the rotors and fit new pads, replace the fluid with DOT 4 only and your braking efficiency will be obvious with the first brake application you make.
If you have some spare cash after this, then go ahead and spend up on the fancy stuff.

What is the cost of machining discs V new ones? I priced new ones today for mine and they range from about €70 to €85 pair,QH to Mintex! never asked about getting them skimmed, how much does it cost? Hardly worth it at those prices, if they are that badly scored they would probably need replacing anyway. Mine have done about 90K so they're going, not badly scored but worn a good bit. also treating her to new drums, pads, shoes and rear wheel cylinders as well. whole lot is about €270.

With my own vehicles, I always replace rotors with new rather than machining them. I use top aftermarket brands as genuine parts are often inferior and very expensive. (This is my opinion only)
Over here, machining of rotors varies in cost, but suffice to say that new replacement is generally a cost effective option, and on top of that, one needs to be sure the person machining your rotors is competent.
For my money, good brakes are a must, not an option.

Hi earl, why would the Dot5 not be an option in the van? Just wondering. Thanks,Al

al18 said:

Hi earl, why would the Dot5 not be an option in the van? Just wondering. Thanks,Al

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The DOT 5 has a high silicon content and is 'finer' than DOT 4. It will very likely damage the older style seals and will absorb more air and water than the DOT 4 which may eventually result in brake failure once the fluid is up to working temperature and has a bit of age.
I have no idea how long the process would take, nor do I have any knowledge of this actually happening to anyone but it is not something I would want to put to the test.
In some older vehicles where DOT 3 was recommended, DOT 4 can be used in its stead as the DOT 4 is a slightly 'higher grade' oil. Dot 5 is not so much a higher grade...it has a different composition for a more modern application.

Ahh, was unaware of that, thanks for the the info errol

No worries Al18. It's a minefield of misinformation out there at times and brakes are, in my opinion, life savers or death traps.
When a new product comes onto the market, many think it is an upgrade or better.
I won't go into the DOT 5.1 which has a higher rating than DOT 4 and is compatible with 3 and 4, but then creates confusion with 5 which should not be used to replace 3 or 4 nor mixed with them as 5 is a totally different composition to 3, 4 and 5.1 which can be mixed, but why anyone except in an emergency, would want to is best not discussed.
So as you can see, it really is not the least bit confusing.
Please research any subject with professionals in their respective fields and do not assume that information I offer is factual or correct. I will not supply proof of my degrees or training over the internet as these things are easily faked, but I do offer any information in good faith. Repeat...do some research before you accept any advice that your life may
depend on.

Well I had the brake fluid changed last year as It hadn't been done for 10 years, what triggered that was a patient told me about brake failure descending from one of the alpine tunnels due to it boiling up. He stopped in one of those emergency lanes and then called a breakdown truck. Of course, by this time the fluid had cooled off and when the mechanic tried the brakes they were fine again; guess he never heard of engine braking, but it was a large wagon with 5 kids etc. He had such a fright he sold it afterwards.

as for prices:" front rotors and pads with accessories"

http://www.webdealauto.com/fr/mon-panier.html

my brake fluid, changed early December 2015,

Had asked main dealer (2013) and independent garage (2014) to change it each year, van is December 2012 registered

Brakes were horrid

Rear fluid was black and like water

Front was half the colour.

Mechanics believe rears never done and fronts possibly hence lighter colour

You can see the lighter colour is to the top of the bottle!

Ok van covers 100,000 a year but still shows how bad fluid can get.
It will be changed every pad change or year by my current mechanics with my help from now on

For years, I have been advocating for fresh fluid at every service. I empty the reservoir at each service and top up with fresh oil. Total cost around $5.00.
I leave enough fluid in the bottom of the reservoir so that air can't enter the lines and then top with fresh fluid. The first time I do any vehicle, I completely drain/flush the system by gravity bleeding especially on older vehicles or anything over 2 years old. After that I withdraw fluid and top up with fresh stuff.
So much cheaper than a funeral.
Rolopolo's experience is unfortunately, the norm.
So many mechanics take shortcuts at vehicle owner's expense and so many owners trust them to do the right thing.

errolmorris said:

For years, I have been advocating for fresh fluid at every service. I empty the reservoir at each service and top up with fresh oil. Total cost around $5.00.
I leave enough fluid in the bottom of the reservoir so that air can't enter the lines and then top with fresh fluid. The first time I do any vehicle, I completely drain/flush the system by gravity bleeding especially on older vehicles or anything over 2 years old. After that I withdraw fluid and top up with fresh stuff.
So much cheaper than a funeral.
Rolopolo's experience is unfortunately, the norm.
So many mechanics take shortcuts at vehicle owner's expense and so many owners trust them to do the right thing.

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id be changing mine every 6 weeks then at the moment lol Cheers Adam

adlarplant said:

id be changing mine every 6 weeks then at the moment lol Cheers Adam

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Bugger! You must do some big miles. I'm glad I'm not paying your bloody fuel bill.
My van only gets to run to Toowoomba, Brisbane or Sydney and back and with no stopovers, just out and back in around 20 hours or more at a time.

errolmorris said:

Bugger! You must do some big miles. I'm glad I'm not paying your bloody fuel bill.
My van only gets to run to Toowoomba, Brisbane or Sydney and back and with no stopovers, just out and back in around 20 hours or more at a time.

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'
Try Goondiwindi to Canberra to Port Kembla to Melbourne to Wagga Wagga to Toowoomba to Dalby to Belatta to Goondiwindi to St George then back to Goondiwindi in 6 days
Cheers Adam

adlarplant said:

'
Try Goondiwindi to Canberra to Port Kembla to Melbourne to Wagga Wagga to Toowoomba to Dalby to Belatta to Goondiwindi to St George then back to Goondiwindi in 6 days
Cheers Adam

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Sounds like a Spike Milligan poem.