Drums to discs on 99 SSEi

[charlie1593]

Does anyone know of a kit to convert the drum brakes on my 99 SSEi to disc? I actually had the vehicle for two months before I realized the back brakes were not discs. any help or info will be greatly appreciated.

[MattStrike]

No kits are available(yet).

The only way is to fab a custom bracket to adapt to a comparable rear rotor & caliper.

I plan to make a kit for the H-body, but it might take a while...

[SC-Type]

I plan to make a kit for the H-body, but it might take a while...

I sure hope not! I'll be your first customer when you're ready. Unless I take a stab at it my self. Will probably just go with the late 80s riviera calipers in the back.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

There's no point aside from looks to having discs in the back. The rear brakes contribute about 20% of the stopping power. If you recently got the car, adjusting the drum brakes to get their power back is fairly easy, and free. I've done it on all the cars I've owned with drums in the rear, and it works a treat.

[MattStrike]

Drums rely on auto-adjusters to keep the pedal firm. When those don't work (which apparently requires a 20,000 mile check to make sure they are ), you get un-even braking and comprimised stability. There are less moving parts in calipers, they are always in the correct adjustment position, are more reliable, and have better ventilation - basically maintenance free. When you factor in that people with the L67 are more likely (not laying blame ) to drive fast, having brakes you can trust is a big issue.

The only good thing about the H-body drums is they are over-engineered and last forever (if you like putting up with the auto-adjusters).

[01bonneSC]

Yeah wont gain much by converting to rear discs. If you have your drums turned, new shoes and new spring kit, those drums will do you just fine.

But if you want to take a stab at doing a conversion, by all means, go ahead!!

[RogueSSEi]

I hate to chime in and hit off topic but I'm not to "drum" savvy, how would you adjust the rear drums up? My parking brake doesn't hold for shat but the drums and shoes are in good shape, they still have quiet a bit of material left.

[MattStrike]

If the parking brake pedal is low the parking brake cable is too long and there is an adjuster under the drivers seat (under the car); it's adjusted by turning the nut in and out to lengthen or shorten the cable. (You can use the parking brake to bypass the auto-adjuster failure temporarily )

If the regular brake pedal is low, the rear brake auto adjusters are not working. There is an auto-adjuster with a spikey looking nut behind the drum. Spinning the nut 'on' will lengthed the adjuster, pushing the rear brake shoes closer to the pad. Meaning less pedal travel to initiate braking.

I have nothing against drum brakes. I hate the H-body setup because it sucks and the adjuster usually doesn't work correctly. Last time I had my drums apart I spent 8 hours fixing the poor design combined with 20 years of wear; just to make the adjusters work correctly...only to have one quit after 7000 miles.

It's even more fun when one works and the other doesn't and you go to touch your brakes on a slick road the first time you decide to drive the car all winter

[myfirstbonnie]

The biggest thing I found that is ignored on drum brakes is the contact pads on the backing plate. The shoes ride against them and after a period of time they wll get ridges worn in them. Once the shoes are removed, you can use a grinder to smooth them out. Basically the steel part of the shoes get caught in a groove.

[Pair of SSEI]

"myfirstbonnie" You have any pics of this or a diagram. Not really sure what you mean?

[01bonneSC]

"myfirstbonnie" You have any pics of this or a diagram. Not really sure what you mean?

Genreric pic.....

[Pair of SSEI]

Excellent thanks

[Arrowhead]

I'm kinda' surprised that Pontiac stayed with drum rear brakes all the way through the 99 model year. I'm also surprised that a conversion kit isn't on the market by now.

[00Beast]

No one cares enough to do anything for it. The only reason there's ANY aftermarket that supports us is because of the GP market...

[95naSTA]

No one cares enough to do anything for it.

No aftermarket company maybe.. And it's not a matter of care as it is profit.

I'll have disks in the rear eventually.

[00Beast]

Right. You wrote it how I was thinking it, lol. Supply & Demand, there's no demand, so no one's gonna supply...

[BonneMe]

I'm kinda' surprised that Pontiac stayed with drum rear brakes all the way through the 99 model year. I'm also surprised that a conversion kit isn't on the market by now.

The 1999 Bonneville was designed in the early to mid 80's...

Hell, the first couple Maximas had a beam rear axle but were labeled as a 4 door sports car, and marketed up level.

[95naSTA]

I'm kinda' surprised that Pontiac stayed with drum rear brakes all the way through the 99 model year. I'm also surprised that a conversion kit isn't on the market by now.

The 1999 Bonneville was designed in the early to mid 80's...

Hell, the first couple Maximas had a beam rear axle but were labeled as a 4 door sports car, and marketed up level.

The first gen Maxima was RWD. The second gen and on were FWD. The 3rd, when it was marketed/Badged as 4DSC, had IRS..

4th and 5th gens had the mini van rear beam but Maximas have been back to IRS since 04.