Disc Brake Solution for Traction Avant 15-6 and H Van

by George Dyke…..

At Citromobile earlier this month in in Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands, Ramon Arias de Bles showed off the the disc brake conversion he does to H Vans.

The modification is becoming popular – the HY Van shown here, two years into a ground up restoration, was done for Citroenvie member Erik DeWidt and will be shipped to him in Maryland once the next phase of the project, installing a modern Volvo engine and a Peugeot five speed transmission, is complete.

We have written about Ramon’s engineering efforts before in Citroenvie. (https://citroenvie.com/?s=Ramon). Ramon did the conversion of my H Van to disc brakes when I had it in Europe 2017. A very elegant bit of engineering and the difference in braking power was measurably better!

Since Citroën chose to utilize the same front drum brake set-up as in the Traction Avant 15-6 (6 cylinder engine) in the H Van, it is possible to fit modern disc brakes in that model. We hope to show the progress of a Traction 15-6 conversion in a future article.

We also look forward to publishing a road test of Erik’s HY Van when the engine and gearbox conversion is completed. Ramon and Erik will need to fit seat belts this one!

In the meantime, here is an update from Ramon on the conversions; the components used and the cost:

We have updated our brakes with common parts that can be bought in any cars shop that sells modern Citroën parts.

HY disc brakes are made partly of Citroën C5 calipers.  So changing the pads is an easy on off job. Actually it is taking off the wheel, unscrewing the 2 screws that connect the caliper and taking out old pads putting new ones in and again connecting the caliper and wheel and the job is done. And brake pads can be bought as from 30 euro’s or even sale offers can be less.

The HY wheel technique is based on the technique of the Traction Avant 15CV. So our disc-brake design for the HY we changed so we also now have a disc brake solution for the TA 15CV. For the 2 designs, there is no need to change the axles. Bearings stay original, we just have adapted the bearing housing and make a new hub.

The HY conversions parts are; Hub, Fusee, Handbrake cable, Brake tube, and Disc. Cost is: 2.765 euro’s for export. Within EU we need to add VAT (*).

Parts assembled without caliper; Hub, Fusee, Handbrake cable, Brake tube, Disc, new OEM bearings, wheel bolts, closing flange, and bearing seals. Cost is: 3.220 euro’s euro’s for export. Within EU we need to add VAT (*)

The 15-6 Traction Avant conversion parts are; Hub, Fusee, Brake tube, Disc.  Cost is: 2.755 euro’s for export. Within EU we need to add VAT (*)

Parts assembled without caliper; Hub, Fusee, Handbrake cable, Brake tube, Disc, new OEM bearings, wheel bolts, closing flange, and bearing seals. Cost: 3.130 euro’s euro’s for export. Within EU we need to add VAT (*)

A set of C5 Calipers cost an additional 320 euro’s for export.

(*) we need original parts back for stock or we need to charge deposit. 

Our new challenge is to design brakes for 4 cylinder Traction Avants. If there is interest for this from Citroënvie readers I would like to know. Please contact me about this or any other additional information at: ramon@HYconversions.nl.

Update — August 14, 2023: Dubious dealings have happened through HY Conversions in the Netherlands doing H Van disc brake and engine conversions. You can read about that here: https://citroenvie.com/h-van-horror-in-holland/.
As such, the company has been flagged in related articles and removed from our Services Guide & Directory as we continue to try to protect Citroën enthusiasts in North America and abroad from fraudulent operators.