Vented Disc Upgrade

[Kriss707]

This is probably an easy job, but I would like a bit of info before getting started.

Father-in-Law wants to upgrade his 214 Cabbie from 238mm solid discs to 216 262mm vented discs.

Is the actual caliper the same & will I get away with just changing the discs and caliper mounting bracket from a 216 ?

Thanks in advance.

[Julesmat50]

I am pretty sure you are not going to be able to use any of the main components, the solid discs have a narrower gap between the piston and the caliper mounting points and a vented disc will simply foul. A vented disc is close to twice the thickness of a solid one, so If he wants to swap to vented discs, he will need to change all 3 components, the disc, caliper and carrier.

[JOHNDQ]

May need to change the hubs too

[Johnny 216GSi]

The hubs (knuckles) are different on a 214. However, the approach Rover took with the knuckles and front ARB was to keep the datums the same and increase metal thickness to make everything stiffer. I think (and it's only a "think" - not 100% sure at all) 214 knuckles are just a "spindlier" version of 216 knuckles., so the mounting faces are the same. Maybe someone else can confirm this?

Having said that, the calliper carriers AND callipers are DEFINITELY different - you need to account for purchasing both to do the disc upgrade , at the very least.

216 knuckles are NLA if they are different, so you'd need to find a 216 donor car - this would also serve as a source of callipers and carriers. To be on the safe side, I'd say "take the lot" off a 216 and it will bolt onto the 214.

[Kriss707]

Thanks chaps,

I recently stripped a 216 ( that's why he asked ) luckily I kept the front struts complete. Woz hoping it would be just a disc & caliper carrier swap.

Oh well looks like a complete strut swap then.

[GTiJohn]

The hubs (knuckles) are different on a 214. However, the approach Rover took with the knuckles and front ARB was to keep the datums the same and increase metal thickness to make everything stiffer. I think (and it's only a "think" - not 100% sure at all) 214 knuckles are just a "spindlier" version of 216 knuckles., so the mounting faces are the same. Maybe someone else can confirm this?

Having said that, the calliper carriers AND callipers are DEFINITELY different - you need to account for purchasing both to do the disc upgrade , at the very least.

216 knuckles are NLA if they are different, so you'd need to find a 216 donor car - this would also serve as a source of callipers and carriers. To be on the safe side, I'd say "take the lot" off a 216 and it will bolt onto the 214.

You're correct - the solid disc knuckle is a different forging to the vented disc knuckle - so Kris is doing the upgrade in the simplist way.

To retain brake balance under harder braking the brake PCRV (Pressure Concious Reducion Valve) from the 216 should also be transferred across.

[961tat]

Done this mod and the centre of the hub to the caliper bolt holes are a different in length , 216 hubs the way to go .

As any one fitted rear disc on a cabby ? Got all the bit to do this I think , rear arms of a 45 etc just wondering if there were any issues . ie hand brake cable .

[RoverRevival]

i have discs on the back of my cabby

[Kriss707]

I am planning to do the rear disc brake conversion on my cabby in the spring. I removed the units complete from the donor car. Yes the handbrake cables are different on the disc to the drum rears, so you will need them too.