Encore to Sonic Front Brake Swap

[CjCsonic]

Well boys and girls, it has finally been done. A low cost, reliable, and direct swap of the front brakes on our sonic.

Basic idea is going from stock 10.8" brakes to Encore 11.8" brakes.

It was a group effort of some of us on the site to get the wheels turning, and a couple leaps of faith later we have two members (Stew and myself) with the swap done with no issues.

To begin, a disclaimer-
********Modification of the spindles is necessary to complete the swap. It is not rocket science in the least, BUT if you are not familiar with the brake system on our cars or don't feel comfortable modifing parts please seek out a profesional willing to do the job for you. I do not assume any liability if you screw up your car.*********

If anyone has any legitimate questions fell free to PM me also. Any Chicago natives I'm in the sw burds give me a shout, I'll try and help you out!!

 

[CjCsonic]

So to start off with, the tools of the trade and parts required.

You will need a few necessary tools maybe not everyone owns.
Brake spreader or c-clamp
Rachet ex; 1/4 drive or 3/8 drive and sockets assorted sizes
Torx key/socket T30
Hammer
Device to hang caliper ex; bungee cord or coat hanger
Pentrating fluid, brake grease, and antiseaze.

Parts required are
(2) Buick Encore caliper brackets L&R
(2) Buick Encore rotors
(1) set of Buick Encore brake pads
(4) 14x2.0 bolts measuring 40mm in length ***grade 10.9 or higher required***

*****I dont really want to bore anyone with the general idea of doing brakes. If need be I can edit the post later******

This is the stock photo running a 16" aluminum stock wheel with stock 10.8" brakes.

And we start there.
1) Loosen lugs.
2) Raise the vehicle using a jack and support with jack stands.
3) Remove lugs and then the wheel.
4) Dissamble brakes; loosen and remove caliper and support it, remove the caliper bracket, remove the rotor.
*5) Now the fun part. Using a 9/16 drill bit you will need to drill out the spindle where the caliper bracket attaches to.

6) You will then need to reassemble the brakes using the encore rotor, bracket, and pads.

7) Replace wheel lower car off stands, sit back and feel accomplished.

This is the end result super clean 11.8" brakes.

 

[CjCsonic]

I will start a list of who has done the swap and what wheel size it works with. I'll update when I can. Part numbers will be up soon too FYI.

Swap Complete:
1) Stew 17" aluminium wheel
2) Cjcsonic 16" aluminum wheel
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
10)

 

[CjCsonic]

Napa parts
Rotors NB 48881025
Caliper bracket bolts UP 84501

Advance Auto parts
Pads GNAD1467

Gm parts
Brackets 13372779

 

[Stew]

Awesome write up Cris! You've posted a lot of great information and pictures, here's a few of my pictures from the other thread so they're all in one location for people to see.

Original Sonic brakes

Sonic with Encore brakes

Drilling out spindle

All done

 

[NewZJ]

So for ~$250 we can have bigger brakes. I'll add it to my list of things to sit in the garage uninstalled.

Now to find some braided stainless steel lines, and the parts needed to put these old front brakes onto the rear.

 

[Scot]

Now to find some braided stainless steel lines, and the parts needed to put these old front brakes onto the rear.

(and lose your parking brake)

 

[Scot]

This is the end result super clean 11.8" brakes.

direct compare.

 

[CjCsonic]

Yeah..... I was waiting to do that so I can get the same perspective on both pics.

 

[SoundWave]

Subscribing for reference.

For the rears, to swap to Disc on the LS/LT are any of the original front parts useable for the rear?

 

[CjCsonic]

I would say so, and the caliper from the front stays up front so you would be out there trying to swap front to rear.

 

[SoundWave]

Right, I R SMRT...

Was confusing this with another thread methinks.

 

[Dholzman]

Is there a difference in size between the encore caliper and the sonics? Or is swapping pads all that is really necessary?

 

[CjCsonic]

Swapping pads is necessary to get the full sweep on the encore rotor. You could use the sonic pads but will miss the last 1/2-3/4" of the rotor near the hub.

 

[CjCsonic]

Is there a difference in size between the encore caliper and the sonics? Or is swapping pads all that is really necessary?

Caliper is the same.

 

[Dholzman]

ok i figured the pad would be larger to compensate for the bigger rotor but was unsure if they used the same size calipers, ill be sure to do this mod when its time to replace the pads!

 

[kevjam79]

Does anyone have the rear done yet?


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[CjCsonic]

Does anyone have the rear done yet?


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MpFab is heading that as far as I know, he has other work hes doing right now, no word yet.

 

[Stew]

All the parts to convert the rear to RS discs (same as Encore) have been ordered, just waiting for them to get here.

 

[CjCsonic]

Why dont you start a thread stew, at least you could post part numbers and what not.