40 replies to this topic

[REDA9X]

the parts for rear disc on an LX are in the parts book and yes it uses the UC parts on opposite sides.

[Dangerous]

the parts for rear disc on an LX are in the parts book and yes it uses the UC parts on opposite sides.

I'm sure I've seen the rear disc option parts in the LX parts manual, but I've never seen any fitted to an LX. So technically, I'd count it as an option for the LXs.

[Dangerous]

Just having a rooly quick look at the LX parts manual, page 045-4 lists 'Caliper assembly - rear disc brakes exc. A9X - LH 9943610, RH - 9943611'. These are different to the A9X rear caliper part numbers.

That will do it for me - rear disc brakes were an option for LX Toranas, even if only in the parts books.

[REDA9X]

And if you look in the UC book you will see they are the same swaped sides

[Dr Terry]

Hi Guys.

I�m still of the belief that there were no rear discs available in regular production LXs (non-A9X).

I base this on 2 things.

1. I was working for a Holden dealer at the time & clearly remember when the A9X, the HZ & the later (smaller) UC discs were introduced. We even had some customers come back into us with LXs (& LHs) to have the UC rear discs retrofitted, after the UCs were released. This, of course is hard to verify because it�s only one person�s memory.

2. I have, more recently read this in official press release literature. It took me a while to find this info, that�s why I�ve taken so long to respond. When the HZ was first released, GM-H made a big deal about the �new� rear discs & stated, �that except for the limited-edition LX Torana A9X, these were Holden first rear discs brakes to be made available�. It goes on to say that the �rear disc brake system will only available on the HZ passenger range & it will made available on the commercial range when the necessary engineering is completed�. This never eventuated & as we know, the problem on HZ commercials was that the handbrake lever etc. fouled the rear leaf springs. In the end the bean counters considered it wasn�t worth the effort because the low return to be made on the small number of commercials to be optioned with rear discs.

You may wonder where this is going, but anyway. When the UC was first released, it was the same deal again. The press release (& dealer order forms) go on about the �new� rear discs for UCs & stated; that �they were only available on UCs with the new floor-mounted handbrake lever, but they would be available on cars with bench front seats, when the necessary engineering was completed�. Again, this never eventuated, rear discs were never available as an option from the factory for cars with an underdash (pedal-type) handbrake. From memory, the differences were only minor & were to do with the lever ratios & cable lengths. But my main point is, if they didn�t fit rear discs to UCs with the pedal-type handbrake then, how & why would they have fitted them to an earlier model (the LX), which had this same handbrake set-up.

My guess is that any LX (non-A9X) Toranas out there with �factory rear discs�, actually have been retro-fitted by the dealers. Our dealership did several, I'm sure others did also.

I may well be wrong, but that�s my take on it.

There are a few scant mentions of some non-A9X rear disc parts in the later LX parts catalogue, but many important parts like the unique axles & caliper mounts etc. are not listed. Parts books often contain many errors, so this on its own is no proof.

The bit about the calipers swapping sides occurred part way thru the UC series, when the Commodore type brakes were introduced into Torana production (early '79). At this time the m/cyl with plastic reservoir, the Girlock 'Collette' front calipers & Commodore type rear drums were also introduced. When they swapped the calipers, the cables then pulled from the front, not the rear (or vice versa, I always forget).

Dr Terry.

[Dr Terry]

Do the a9x frt brake calipers have torana stamped on them

No, they have the brand name GIRLOCK cast into them.

 

The calipers with the cast iron bracket with TORANA cast into them, are the PBR alloy items unique to 13-inch Torana brakes only.

 

Dr Terry

[MRGMH]

Can anyone tell me if these are a9x callipers? The bleed nipple and brake line are on the top. Thanks

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[myss427]

Looks like them, do you have the top arm on the wrong side? normally the offset is towards the front and has a L in the stamping. Could be the image skewed?

[MRGMH]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure. All other cars I've seen have it the way mine is. Cannot see any L or R anywhere

[Toranamat69]

That top arm looks right to me

[RoyalPlum76SS]

Looks like them, do you have the top arm on the wrong side? normally the offset is towards the front and has a L in the stamping. Could be the image skewed?

The UC/A9X UCA'S have the offset towards the rear to give more +ve caster. Also its an R not an L on just the one UCA.