Rear brake disc conversion

[sprint95m]

As you have had your car on the road for a while now, Roy, you'll be used to the brakes, so you trying a different Sprint with a trailing Trackerjack conversion could be worthwhile for a comparison?

[triple tango]

it would be interesting, although if we are using the same pads there should'nt be any difference.......... in theory .

[tinweevil]

Wiggy, could you perchance weigh all the bits you use before you final fit them? It would be interesting to get a comparison of the weight of your setup vs the standard parts they replace.

Ta, Tin.

[wiggybum]

Well, here it is with a wheel on. An angle grinder with a linishing disc is the tool of choice to relieve the caliper. I took the metal down to the depth of the "Lucas" lettering or about 2mm. There's still about 15mm to go.... It would have been a lot easier with different wheels. The big thing to not miss is the inside edge of the fixed caliper carrier. It touches the axle where the wheel bearing shims are. I wish I tried them on before fitting the discs as I would have spotted it. It meant I knackered the threads on the mounting bolts (which are an odd M10 x 1mm pitch). If you have a go yourself, just offer it up and you'll see what I mean.

Still planning on keeping the balance valve, which will be great fun to set up with this arrangement!! As for the weight, if I can sneak her weighing scales into the garage, I'll weigh the differene. To be honest, I reckon it'll be a bit heavier. Only the scales will tell. The decent handbrake should more than compensate for it.

I'm shifting focus now to try and repair the corroded radius arm cups which are crumbling nicely. I hope to graft four 2-1/8" engine core plugs on instead. Getting the rear ones off is easy enough but the forward ones are bloody awkward. I can see the Dremmel taking the ride of its life.

Otherwise, it's time to clean/strip and rebuild the calipers ready for when the axle returns from a rebuild. This is still proving a struggle. Anyone know a GOOD axle specialist in the Coventry/Leicestershire area? I don't mind paying up so long as I get a proper job.

Oh, and best of luck squeezing vented discs in there....these solid ones are right on the hairy edge and I reckon a little OTT for a Dolomite. Either way, if anyone wants to know how I did it, I'll happily supply the DXF files for the laser cut brackets. The other ingredients are listed in this thread.

[rich]

try this bloke , some people on here have reccommended him before

Mike Papworth of Coventry
Tel/fax 02476 644499 Mobile 07768 775170

[wiggybum]

Cheers for that, I'll give him a ring.

Quick price list:

Early Escort/Orion discs £25
Machining discs (Triumph PCD, hub hole and facing) £45
Laser Cut Brackets and shims (to replace the drum backplate) £25
Scrapyard Rover 820 rear calipers and handbrake cables £20
Brake pads (ebay) £5
Caliper seal kit (BigRed) £23
Paint £5

Total £148

Doesn't include hours of loving labour but that's the fun you'd pay for

[sprint95m]

You have done well with the conversion and the financial cost too!!

[eightiesflamer]

Looks good wiggybum, my conversion found that the calipers can only trail as well, there is no room anywhere else unless you start cutting inner wings out. Me and a friend made up a dolomite/sierra handbrake cable mock up and had a firm make up some new ones for us, works a treat.

[wiggybum]

Current plan is to try and use the Rover 800 cables I got off the scrap car or shorter MGF ones (they use the same rear caliper). Who made up your cables in the end then? Speedycables?

[Sprint36]

Wiggybum, did you get those core plugs welded into the axle? How did it go?

David

[wiggybum]

Errrr, I've cheated a bit. Took the axle to Mike Papworth and he had a second hand axle tube in much better nick. So he's rebuilding that for me instead.

Still got the core plugs if they're of use to anyone else.

[Sprint36]

I wouldn't mind those core plugs if they're going spare.

By the way, roughly how much does MP charge for an axle rebuild?

David

[wiggybum]

Core plugs have already gone I'm afraid. They were 2 1/8" in diameter and readily available from motor factors and even eBay.

MP hasn't finished the axle yet but it should be around £200. It's complicated as I'm buying a good axle tube from him too. Give him a bell.

[jiversteve]

I spent a while reading this topic as I wanted to fit rear discs to my kit car's Sprint back axle.

I decided to use MGF discs and calipers and came up with a reasonable looking result.




The disc needs boring out and the hub a little trimming to fit inside the disc particularly to remove the pressed steel cover over the back of the studs.