4x4 Mag - Disk Brakes for Series Land Rovers

Disc Brakes for Series Land Rovers

compiled by Peter Heijstee

Well what an interesting concept, to have reliable brakes on an old Land Rover. Can that be fact or fiction? Don't get me wrong on this subject, in essence there's nothing wrong with drum brakes except that they always need adjusting. Imagine the time and effort saved if you had the kind of brakes a 90 and 110 have. Dream no more, even this modern convenience can be gotten for your pleasure and entertainment ...

Some of you may have graduated to the relative comfort of parabolic leaf springs on your trusty Series Land Rover, supplied by TI Console. Well from the same source is offered a disc brake set for your steed. Now don't rush to the e-mail or telephone to place your order just yet since the kit isn't available until August of this year. Instead start saving and looking forward to a really worthwhile and safety conscious improvement.

If you're a real Land Rover nut you'll know all about the Spanish licensed manufacturer of Land Rovers called Santana Motors. Well they manufactured Land Rovers from 1948 until 1992, and during the first part of this period Santana built Land Rovers which where identical to the ones available in the UK. As time went on and inparticularly into the early 1980's the demand for improvements forced Santana to take action. First the old four cylinder engines where transformed into six cylinder units giving more power and torque. This demanded an improved braking system, so Santana designed a different hub for the front axle and added a disc brake. Gradually a caliper was developed which Mercedes still us today.

After 15 years Bendix decided to scrap the tooling of the caliper holder and Santana stopped the production of the hubs. TI Console from the Netherlands, stepped in and now markets this conversion system. This will fit any pre 1980 Series axle without major changes to swivel housing and brake system. The hubs, discs and caliper holders are of their own design, but the calipers are by Bendix and can be found on the Mercedes MB100 vans. Therefore brake pads and overhaul kits are available from any Mercedes agent.

One disc brake set contains :

2 replacement hubs

2 rotor discs and bolts and washers

2 calipers and holders (including bolts and washers)

2 hoses.

The price for the complete kit for the front axle will be around £495.00. For further details contact TI Console at :info@ticonsole.nl

There are additional fitting kits with wheel bearings, gaskets, locking nuts and washers available too.

We hope to have a project vehicle fitted with this system at our disposal for appraisal in a future issue, so keep visiting and we'll give you the news as it develops. In the meantime if you're interested in these aspects of off-road vehicle ownership we suggest you visit our feature this month entitled TECHNICAL TIPS.