Honda Brakes

DragonCFI · 07-30-2007, 01:53 PM

Everyone know that the drum brakes on the Honda's always fail once they get wet and repairing them is a waste of time.

I was looking at the disc brake conversion kits by Quadrax and Highlifter for them. Has anyone every tried these and are they worth the money.

Garryese · 07-30-2007, 10:26 PM

Let me first say that there is nothing I dislike more than drum brakes on an ATV. The main reason why I prefer north americian made ATVs is hydrolic disc brakes.

I cannot remember the last time we had a Honda in our shop for brakes were the brakes were properly maintained. Actually the same statement can be made for any brand with drum brakes.

All the seals on drum brakes require liberal amounts of grease to keep water out. If the seals are ran without grease, they need to be changed. If the seals are in good shape, installed correctly, and greased properly water will not get in the drums.

If water does get in the drums then adjusters and cams needs to be serviced before they seize up; shoes, springs, backing plate and drum need to be cleaned. If this work is not done then all but the backing plates will require replacment in a short time.

Properly maintained disc brake pads will typically last 800 to 2000km; drum brake shoes 1500 to 4000km. Brake discs typically last 3500 to 7000kms; brake drums will out live the atv. Disc brakes generally require no service between pad changes; drums brakes require servicing every third adjustment or about every 800kms. Over the life of an atv the cost of proper maintainance on the each brake system is about the same if you have a shop do all the work. If you do your own maintainance then drum brakes are actually cheaper if they are properly maintained.

The conversion kits are only worth it if you know you will not do the required maintainance on your drum system.

BTW, servicing drum brakes every 800km will take about a half hour per drum and one tube of grease will service 20 to 25 drums and associated seals.

Bogger · 05-26-2009, 04:55 PM

I just ordered a a front disk conversion kit for my 2000 foreman 400...so I'll see how it goes....

T-GUY1978 · 05-26-2009, 06:28 PM

Ya let us know how easy it is to install and how well it works once on. I am looking into getting the conversion kit but would like to hear some feed back.

rocketron · 05-26-2009, 09:39 PM

Had the Highlifter kit on a 450 and 400 and they were worth every penny! I did front and rear on my 450 and it was night and day from stock.

Bogger · 05-26-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by rocketron

Had the Highlifter kit on a 450 and 400 and they were worth every penny! I did front and rear on my 450 and it was night and day from stock.

Good to hear my kit comes in thursday and I will be attempting the install friday night

rocketron · 05-26-2009, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Bogger

Good to hear my kit comes in thursday and I will be attempting the install friday night

Have a set of wheel bearings handy as well. if you have many wet miles they will most likely be toast. The aftermarket ones are as good as the Honda ones and way cheeper!

Bogger · 05-26-2009, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by rocketron

Have a set of wheel bearings handy as well. if you have many wet miles they will most likely be toast. The aftermarket ones are as good as the Honda ones and way cheeper!

I'm told the kit I bought comes with...Hubs, Bearings, brake assembly, pads...But I'll be sure to ask Kevin if there is anything missing...

Thanks

rocketron · 05-26-2009, 10:33 PM

Ok mine didnt come with bearings.

Culvert · 05-27-2009, 09:55 AM

I just picked up the Quadrax disc kit for me and a buddy. Be putting them on this wknd. I know we both were ready to throw them on and jacked the quad up to find out the brgs were done. Now waiting on the brgs to come in.

leonard · 05-27-2009, 10:10 AM

If you order it with Highlifter make sure you call them and tell them you want USPS not UPS make sure they do this or you will get like 200+$ on the UPS fees.

I ordered a set for my old man for christmas. He loves em they are 1000x better then the drums ever were they stop the tires dead. even from new when we used to unload the Atv off the trailer the tires would turn slowly as you backed off of it. now he can hang the bike there if he wants with the back tires dangling off the back end.

breaking on hills is no longer a problem either.

you can also do the rear break as well which i would recommend also then your disk all the way around.

GL. USPS NOT UPS!!

07-30-2007, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
DragonCFI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hay River, NWT Posts: 7 Casino Cash: $60400 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Honda Brakes Everyone know that the drum brakes on the Honda's always fail once they get wet and repairing them is a waste of time. I was looking at the disc brake conversion kits by Quadrax and Highlifter for them. Has anyone every tried these and are they worth the money.

07-30-2007, 10:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Garryese Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edson, Alberta Posts: 530 Casino Cash: $568075 Thanks: 61 Thanked 216 Times in 145 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Let me first say that there is nothing I dislike more than drum brakes on an ATV. The main reason why I prefer north americian made ATVs is hydrolic disc brakes. I cannot remember the last time we had a Honda in our shop for brakes were the brakes were properly maintained. Actually the same statement can be made for any brand with drum brakes. All the seals on drum brakes require liberal amounts of grease to keep water out. If the seals are ran without grease, they need to be changed. If the seals are in good shape, installed correctly, and greased properly water will not get in the drums. If water does get in the drums then adjusters and cams needs to be serviced before they seize up; shoes, springs, backing plate and drum need to be cleaned. If this work is not done then all but the backing plates will require replacment in a short time. Properly maintained disc brake pads will typically last 800 to 2000km; drum brake shoes 1500 to 4000km. Brake discs typically last 3500 to 7000kms; brake drums will out live the atv. Disc brakes generally require no service between pad changes; drums brakes require servicing every third adjustment or about every 800kms. Over the life of an atv the cost of proper maintainance on the each brake system is about the same if you have a shop do all the work. If you do your own maintainance then drum brakes are actually cheaper if they are properly maintained. The conversion kits are only worth it if you know you will not do the required maintainance on your drum system. BTW, servicing drum brakes every 800km will take about a half hour per drum and one tube of grease will service 20 to 25 drums and associated seals. __________________ Garry Past President Edson ATV Club Aging is inevitable... growing up is optional 07 Scrambler: Aaen Stage III, Trail Tech Vapor, Bear Claws, Clutch tuning. NOS to come 07 Scrambler: Bear claws, Trail Tech Endurance, Clutch tuning. 98 Sportsman: 20,000 miles when the speedo quit in '05 08 F350 SD CC LWB 6.4l

05-26-2009, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bogger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta Beach, Alberta Posts: 7,090 Casino Cash: $523449 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 6,145 Times in 3,168 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes I just ordered a a front disk conversion kit for my 2000 foreman 400...so I'll see how it goes.... __________________ A beautiful wife 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 horses and a bunch of machines I will conform.............. Owner of post #456 in TGC & apparently the 79hun click here to watch the video Close You need to upgrade your Flash Player There ain't no rest for the wicked till we close our eyes for good......

05-26-2009, 06:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
T-GUY1978 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton,AB Posts: 219 Casino Cash: $146499 Thanks: 49 Thanked 33 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Ya let us know how easy it is to install and how well it works once on. I am looking into getting the conversion kit but would like to hear some feed back. __________________ 2002 Honda 350 2005 F-350 1978 F-150 460 to much to list

05-26-2009, 09:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
rocketron Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prince George Posts: 66 Casino Cash: $100550 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Had the Highlifter kit on a 450 and 400 and they were worth every penny! I did front and rear on my 450 and it was night and day from stock.

Sponsored Links, Plese click on Banner to View there Website

05-26-2009, 10:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bogger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta Beach, Alberta Posts: 7,090 Casino Cash: $523449 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 6,145 Times in 3,168 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Originally Posted by rocketron Had the Highlifter kit on a 450 and 400 and they were worth every penny! I did front and rear on my 450 and it was night and day from stock. Good to hear my kit comes in thursday and I will be attempting the install friday night __________________ A beautiful wife 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 horses and a bunch of machines I will conform.............. Owner of post #456 in TGC & apparently the 79hun click here to watch the video Close You need to upgrade your Flash Player There ain't no rest for the wicked till we close our eyes for good......

05-26-2009, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
rocketron Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prince George Posts: 66 Casino Cash: $100550 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Originally Posted by Bogger Good to hear my kit comes in thursday and I will be attempting the install friday night Have a set of wheel bearings handy as well. if you have many wet miles they will most likely be toast. The aftermarket ones are as good as the Honda ones and way cheeper!

05-26-2009, 10:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bogger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta Beach, Alberta Posts: 7,090 Casino Cash: $523449 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 6,145 Times in 3,168 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Originally Posted by rocketron Have a set of wheel bearings handy as well. if you have many wet miles they will most likely be toast. The aftermarket ones are as good as the Honda ones and way cheeper! I'm told the kit I bought comes with...Hubs, Bearings, brake assembly, pads...But I'll be sure to ask Kevin if there is anything missing... Thanks __________________ A beautiful wife 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 horses and a bunch of machines I will conform.............. Owner of post #456 in TGC & apparently the 79hun click here to watch the video Close You need to upgrade your Flash Player There ain't no rest for the wicked till we close our eyes for good......

05-26-2009, 10:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
rocketron Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prince George Posts: 66 Casino Cash: $100550 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes Ok mine didnt come with bearings.

05-27-2009, 09:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
Culvert Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cold Lake, Alberta Posts: 317 Casino Cash: $336542 Thanks: 141 Thanked 38 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes I just picked up the Quadrax disc kit for me and a buddy. Be putting them on this wknd. I know we both were ready to throw them on and jacked the quad up to find out the brgs were done. Now waiting on the brgs to come in.

05-27-2009, 10:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
leonard Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Whitecourt Alberta Canada Posts: 401 Casino Cash: $329602 Thanks: 3 Thanked 104 Times in 74 Posts	Re: Honda Brakes If you order it with Highlifter make sure you call them and tell them you want USPS not UPS make sure they do this or you will get like 200+$ on the UPS fees. I ordered a set for my old man for christmas. He loves em they are 1000x better then the drums ever were they stop the tires dead. even from new when we used to unload the Atv off the trailer the tires would turn slowly as you backed off of it. now he can hang the bike there if he wants with the back tires dangling off the back end. breaking on hills is no longer a problem either. you can also do the rear break as well which i would recommend also then your disk all the way around. GL. USPS NOT UPS!! __________________ 07 660 Grizz "Green"All Yamaha Alum Skid plating. ITP 6 Rims -27" BI /TRI CLAW MAGNUMS WhiteBrothers,E-series-K&N+DynoJet Fully Snorkeled \| HL Extreme Clutch kit HL Rear Springs - Stock Rears relocated to Front.\|Rear HubFlip 686 11:1 "Weiseco" & Mudbuster Cam w/ All Raptor valve spings

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