How to Upgrade to Disc Brakes

If you own a car that first appeared on the roads before the mid-1970s, it's probably not equipped with the better-performing disc brakes. It's not too late to get them, however.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Shopping/maintenance Magazine
• Disc Brakes

1. Read automobile magazines that specialize in your make and year of car. Companies that offer parts for a disc brake conversion usually advertise in these magazines or are mentioned in articles.

2. Check out their Web sites. Some sites, such as Classic Performance (classicperform.com), give detailed instructions with photos and describe what needs to be done in an installation.

3. Select a few companies from which you can purchase a disc brake conversion kit.

4. Contact the companies and ask them how complete their kits are, what their prices are and what warranties they offer. You may see a big difference in price from company to company.

5. Understand that some companies don't sell a complete kit. Instead, they sell a basic kit for an attractive price, and then you find out later you need more items. Make sure you know what you're getting.

6. Buy the conversion kit from the company you feel most comfortable with.

7. Take your car and the kit to a brake shop for the installation work.

on 11/22/2005 Often times auto makers use the same basic chassis over a period of years. When converting to disc breaks on an older car you can use a newer car for a direct swap.