Just going through the process of installing an EMPI Rear Disc Brake kit and have come across some fun issues with the Kit :-)!
Hand brake cables are too long, wrong rotors (Short Snout) and spacers not included in the kit and.............Caliper not centered over the top of the rotor with the Caliper Mounting Brackets.
I initially thought shimming it outwards would be required - but I had not done up the Axle Nut yet (didn't have the spacer) so I used on old Wheel bearing so I could get a proper mockup and the rotor went the other way.
Now, caliper is touching on the inbound side,
Inbound Side - Contact with the caliper on the Rotor.
Outbount Side - Big Cap (4mm or so)
So................I could shim underneath the Rotor?
Or I could take 1.0mm to 1.2mm off the caliper mounting face and bring the caliper back towards the in bound side.
Or I could heat the Caliper mounting bracket up with the Oxy-Torch and Bend away.
Anyone else come across similar sorts of issues with Rear Disc Brake kits? Any of my above solutions sound like the go? Anyone got any better ideas?
Yep there REALLY good arnt they
I think it would be cheaper to junk them rather than trying to fix the issues
have a look at my latest thread I am having real issues and cannot get a good pedal. I had to use a 14mm spacer between the mounting plate and the caliper
F$$$ing serious?
Hhhhmmm, that is just awesome - should have just stuck with drums on the rear :-)!
The other option is to bend the mounting bracket to reposition the caliper in the correct spot. With that said, it wont be easy and the caliper may not be square if not bent correctly.
I had to machine my caliper mounting surfaces square when fitting mine.
Kev
I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!
Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.The Chinese are still confused with Quality and Quantity...
they keep thinking Quantity .... lol
and I'm sure many really do NOT know what quality is...
Fit and nearly fit may mean the same thing in Chinese lol
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Camo wrote:The other option is to bend the mounting bracket to reposition the caliper in the correct spot. With that said, it wont be easy and the caliper may not be square if not bent correctly.
I had to machine my caliper mounting surfaces square when fitting mine.
Kev
I think My rear drums will Do Kev...
cheers
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
68AutoBug wrote:The Chinese are still confused with Quality and Quantity...
they keep thinking Quantity .... lol
and I'm sure many really do NOT know what quality is...
Fit and nearly fit may mean the same thing in Chinese lol
So true!! 😂
LEE
"Obey your Dreams"!
62 Std beetle.
65 11 wnd Split "The Cross".
6? coming very soon!!!!
Check out utube, just type in empi rear disc brakes.
Hey, we've got a set of these in a bucket in our garage. Never been used, fitted perfectly.............................just never worked😬
put the bucket in the recycle bin they will get better use in a later life😉😉😉
Sorted it out :-)!
Install rear brake assembly - lock it all down where the rotor will eventually sit - so install Axle nut to specified torque.
If the caliper is to far inbound, space it out with washers and use longer bolts.
If the caliper is to far inbound or not square.....
Remove calipers, grab a big f$ck off hammer, hit the caliper mounting ears and bend them back. Grab a big G-clamp and secure it at the front of the caliper mounting (right near the point where the bracket slips over the hub - this secures this portion of the bracket in it's new, hammer re-organized position.
Grab yourself a large shifter, secure it to the ears of the caliper mounting bracket (where the caliper bolt holes are) and pull the ears forward, I braced myself against the transmission to get leverage.
Re-install caliper and see if it is aligned - if not, repeat the above until you are sorted!
Cheers
But about this kit......
Rotors are warped....
Handbrake cables were 3 inches to long...
Instructions were crap and....
Caliper mounting brackets were not aligned properly!
Probably best for others to avoid this kit :-)!
aussie260z wrote:F$$$ing serious?
Hhhhmmm, that is just awesome - should have just stuck with drums on the rear :-)!
Yup! junk
👍
EMPI = cheap shit, unless the original old empi back in the days
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
68AutoBug wrote:The Chinese are still confused with Quality and Quantity...
they keep thinking Quantity .... lol
and I'm sure many really do NOT know what quality is...
Fit and nearly fit may mean the same thing in Chinese lol
LEE
no, chinese are very smart.
they keep all the quality stuff within their own country and make nasty cheap crap to export for the masses like stupid white people like to buy
😉
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
As mentioned above, here is a photo of the mounting surface showing how far it was out of square compared to the mounting bolt.
I bought these from CIP back in 2008, I think before they were released as EMPI brand but not sure. I thought I got a great deal back then costing a lot less than anything else, but they are heaps cheaper to buy now.
I have learnt the hard way 😬
Kev
I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!
Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.YOU GOT INSTRUCTIONS???!!! Wow when I had problems I didn't even get an answer from the supplier let alone Instructions🙁
Yeah got instructions but they were not very helpful :-)!
Camo - I had the same issue, I have a flat air powered sander that runs 10mm belts - I had to also grind down the surface where the handbrake slips through so I could get the lock pin in place.
Very rough castings on the calipers!
