w126 gen II brake installed

[MTUpower]

I put a set of vented rotors and calipers from the w126 (1986-91) on my w123 300TD. They are larger than the stock units. The stock dust shields had to be tweaked to accept the larger rotors and calipers. I should have gotten a set to match the new brakes. The springs were also changed to the vogtlands in the front. Nothing was done to the rear at this time. I kept the Boge shocks as there was nothing wrong with them, and they are not a bad shock. I quite like the new feel, and it lowered the car, much to my liking also. Frankly, I'm stoked.

[H-townbenzoboy]

It's now lowered? Well, in that case...

[Chad300tdt]

Do you notice a big difference in stopping power?

I installed the first generation w126 vented rotors and calipers on my w123 wagon and there isn't any increase in stopping power just better cooling.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt;

Do you notice a big difference in stopping power?

I installed the first generation w126 vented rotors and calipers on my w123 wagon and there isn't any increase in stopping power just better cooling.

Pics are coming.....

I did no panic stopping, so I have not really checked if there is more braking power. I am more concerned with break fade, which should not happen with either of our set-ups. I do have the w126 15 hole rims on the car, which is needed for gen II set-ups.
Here's a pic- my driveway is a on a bit of a slope- down to the right. The car does not look that low- which is fine with me. It was quite high previously. Very little roll when I corner now... OTOH, my wife's wagon was a "bus" before I put set of 617-912 front springs on- and after that it drives awesome. With her standard 14 inch rims and tires it's almost the exact height at the front wheel well as mine now.

[Alberta Luthier]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

Pics are coming.....

I did no panic stopping, so I have not really checked if there is more braking power. I am more concerned with break fade, which should not happen with either of our set-ups. I do have the w126 15 hole rims on the car, which is needed for gen II set-ups.
Here's a pic- my driveway is a on a bit of a slope- down to the right. The car does not look that low- which is fine with me. It was quite high previously. Very little roll when I corner now... OTOH, my wife's wagon was a "bus" before I put set of 617-912 front springs on- and after that it drives awesome. With her standard 14 inch rims and tires it's almost the exact height at the front wheel well as mine now.

Looks really good! I don't have a wagon, yet. So the 15 hole rims...are 15" instead of the 14" 'bundts'? And are they much different in circumference, affecting speedo etc? What percentage are they gonna gear you up? Maybe I ought to do the same to my 84SD...

[bgkast]

Can you see if the 14" steel spare will fit over them. I want to use these brakes but don't want to stop running my hubcap wheels. I stuck a random 14" wheel over the front brakes of a '91 SEL in the junk yard and it seemed to fit, but want to make sure.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Alberta Luthier

Looks really good! I don't have a wagon, yet. So the 15 hole rims...are 15" instead of the 14" 'bundts'? And are they much different in circumference, affecting speedo etc? What percentage are they gonna gear you up? Maybe I ought to do the same to my 84SD...

With 205/60R15 tires the diameter difference is less than 1%.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction;

With 205/60R15 tires the diameter difference is less than 1%.

I have 205/65 15's. I can check if a set of 14 bundts slide over them, but I have no steel spare. My speedo now is a euro unit with only KPH, but it's dead on. Now I need to install the rear spring set, the al129x, upgrade lighting wiring, steam intake generation or WI, remove FLFL, change the intake filter setup for tweaking, check the next set of AAZ's set at 135 bar, install additional fuel and oil filters, modulate warp core biometric settings, install 1985 rear differential, remove either resonator or muffler, and who knows what else.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I have 205/65 15's. I can check if a set of 14 bundts slide over them, but I have no steel spare. My speedo now is a euro unit with only KPH, but it's dead on. Now I need to install the rear spring set, the al129x, upgrade lighting wiring, steam intake generation or WI, remove FLFL, change the intake filter setup for tweaking, check the next set of AAZ's set at 135 bar, install additional fuel and oil filters, modulate warp core biometric settings, install 1985 rear differential, remove either resonator or muffler, and who knows what else.

Don't forget to pick up some Dilithium Crystals.

[TheDon]

I want that wagon.. Its.. Its.. perfect... The color is awesome, the wheels are a perfect match... drooool

[bgkast]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I can check if a set of 14 bundts slide over them, but I have no steel spare.

Thanks. That should tell me what I need to know.

[winmutt]

I found that the stopping power was increased. The pistons are larger and the rotor is larger.

Brake fade is non existent. I did multiple emergency stops on my test road @65mph and a four in a row on the interstate at 80+. No boiling, no fading. Fantastic.

Downside is that they wheigh 2x the stock 123 which means more unsprung weight. Upside is that you can install ABS if you get the spindles as well.

[MTUpower]

Bump- As a note of caution for those changing to the w126 Gen II rotors/calipers make sure you also change the dust shields. The w123 dust shields will rub on the inside close to the inner bearings and may interfere with the proper re-install procedure of the caliper. I had to bend my w123 dust shields so that they cleared above the rotor (as the vented discs are thicker) but they also rub near the spindle giving a false "tight" reading which is used in the re-install. Basically your wheels will be a bit loose and that'll effect your handling.