What drives me crazy is that the car was DESIGNED using the ST225s and 17" wheels, and the Ford bean-counters changed them to the single pistons and 16" wheels.


The places where they cheaped out on parts on these cars is disgusting.

 

I agree that the ST brake approach is more cost effective and will give improved stopping power. In my case, I am not a floating caliper fan, and given the opportunity to put on fixed/Brembo calipers I will take this path. On my wife's X-type Estate, Brembo's are probably overkill, but it is a straight forward project. Compared to my STR, the X-type brakes feel dead and completely lack the feel I am used to.

 

Caggers finally got back to me, they're working a couple quotes now. Does anybody want to get in on this action with me? It's easier to ship one bigger shipment than a few smaller ones...


Tijoe, what year S70 did you get rotors for? What overall thickness and rotor height are you going for?

 

Didn't pay attention to what year range. They are 330mm X 32mm rotor with a 50m height. Different bolt pattern, so I will drill a new 5 X 108 pattern.
They were the least expensive rotor I could find online. I'll use this one for set-up and test, then purchase and modify a more expensive high quality set for the final installation.

The minimum height set-up for the Brembo caliper is 49.5mm. After that, I will have to start spacing the caliper away from the spindle's mounts.

 

Thanks Tijoe! I *think* what you actually have are older V70R rotors and which, if I'm correct, also have a 5x108 bolt pattern. That's what I'm finding for V70 rotors in that size, anyway. Also take a look at 06+ S80 rotors as I'm showing they should be a 336mm diameter, 28mm width, right on for the centerbore at 63.6mm and 52mm height. Also as an added bonus they are 5x108 bolt pattern.

 

I don't think that 336 diameter rotors will work with the Brembos. I looked at the gap between the 330 rotor and the inside of the caliper and there is at most 4mm clearance.
Look around for an inexpensive 336 rotor and I could get one to confirm/fit check.

I need 32mm wide rotors, so I am not really interested in a 28mm wide one. I don't want to have to deal with shims behind the pads.

 

Question: Has anyone played around with the Volvo 60 and/or 70 hubs to see if they use the same hub bearing as our X-types and have the same splines for the axle? I see that the Volvo hubs are threaded rather then having studs. (Easily remedied) These hubs likely have a 68mm registration for the rotors.

 

Inexpensive rotors arrived. Bolted one on the test spindle. fits great! bolted on the Brembo caliper. It is not quite centered so I put in a couple waster to space the caliper back. (Will need to purchase precise thickness washers to exactly center.) Looks like it will work!!!
I need to continue purchasing the rest of the parts, sand blast the knuckles, paint, install new bearings, and start the caliper rebuild.

 

Awesome! Thanks for doing all the leg work and sharing it with us! Looks like this may be a viable alternative to getting Focus ST parts shipped from overseas. Granted it sounds like finding the calipers may not be easy but it may be worth it in the end.
Was the bolt pattern 5x108?

 

Yes the bolt pattern is 5 x 108.

Wondering if anyone has measured and recorded the length of the stock front brake hoses and what fitting is used on the frame side. We should get this posted in the thread. Plus will save me some time taking off a front wheel and measuring. I will likely purchase "Stop-Flex brand brake lines unless someone posts a better recommendation.

 

When I ordered my ss brake lines I went custom through Pegasus racing, I think they knew all what was required. I'll see if I can find my info.

 

No dice, I can't find any electronic correspondence at all. I have paper copies of my order somewhere but no idea how long it'll take me to find them.
I would reach out to Pegasus Racing, they were very easy to deal with.
Any idea what impact this will have with your brake bias? I'm seriously contemplating this as an alternative to the Focus ST brakes but like you said, they're hard to find! Why wouldn't the later 04+ Brembo calipers work?

 

Caliper adds about 8% more piston area, 330 versus 300 rotors adds about 10% more moment arm. ABS module should provide a dynamic bias and be able to handle the larger pistons.

All other Jaguar Brembos have a different mounting flange. But caliper could work if you make adapter mounts.

 

Nice warm low humidity evening so I decided to paint the Brembo calipers. They were ready for final cleaning and paint. I purchase the G2 Silver caliper paint system. Simply a terrible experience! The silver paint did not go on evenly, it sagged and dripped around all of the ribs and contours. I got out the gram scale and measured exactly 1/2 the paint - and additive. Quantity should have painted 3 layers. I was lucky to get 2 fairly uneven coatings. I am embarrassed to post images. I'll let them dry a couple days, then probably sand off the bad areas and paint with Caliper paint out of a spray can.

 

Finished rebuilding the Brembo Calipers. Still irritated with the finish using G2 Caliper paint. Did a mock-up on the car today.
No go using Volvo Rotors. Offset is wrong and the Brembo caliper sticks out too far and hits the wheel. I need to find a rotor with another 6-10mm more offset. Probably have to go to custom 2-piece rotors. They will need to space the Brembo calipers further back.

 

Received round Aluminum slugs today. Too bad they wont machine and shape themselves.

 

That's a shame, they look so good on there! I was really hoping this was going to be a slam dunk. I understand you're still working it though.
Caggers hasn't seemed to have gotten back to me on a quote, either.

 

Any updates? How's your project going?

 

I read on FB recently that the Mazda 3 Speed rotors also fit and are the same as the ST conversion. It seems to make sense as they are both from the Ford performance parts bin. They may also be more readily accessible here in the States.

love to hear any updates as well!

 

That is very, very good to hear...