disc brake conversion

[kalist]

When converting to disc brakes on a mkII do you use the steering arms from the mkII so the tie rod ends match or is there another method? I thought I read something on this in one of the posts here but for the life of me I can't find it.

 

[jlaird]

Yep, steering arms is part of the swap.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Wait. I thought the steering arms were the same if the donor car was a pre-72.

Anyone have an original parts list?

 

[spritenut]

The arms are the same up to the early 70s, not sure when they changed but the threads got smaller on the tie rod ends at some point after 69, they may have changed a 3rd time when they went to the Triumph steering rack around 72.
Or I am wrong and they only changed once when they went to the TR rack. The rods got thinner.
So drum brake tie rods and steering arms are the same as all 50 & 60s Spridgets.
Just watch out for the change to the smaller tie rods.

 

[drooartz]

On my Bugeye I used the original steering arms (drum brakes) when I did the conversion. My donor car was a '74 so had the later steering rack setup.

 

[mightymidget]

the very early midget I scrapped out had disc brakes. were they not orginal equipment? I cut the front end competly off to save to install on my Bugeye during rebuild. Wire wheel car with the Bugeye rear end.

 

[kalist]

I must have a late model disc brake setup (purchased off ebay). I put the drum brake arms on today and it looks like they will will work fine.

 

[drooartz]

the very early midget I scrapped out had disc brakes. were they not orginal equipment?

The first Midgets with the 948 motor had drums all around. When they switched to the 1098 (but still with sidecurtains) they got front discs.

 

[mightymidget]

Thanks for clearing that up

 

[Jholland]

Hi, i am doing this same conversion on a MK1 sprite. I have the brakes installed at the wheels, now turing my attention to the hydrolic system. I was thinking midget pedal box (early) and mc, the single line 3/4 bore. Seperate the brake and clutch MCs. Looks like the firewall (hole) will have to be modified to accept this setup, but I believe it is well worth it. Am I on the right track, and any other advice from those who have done it before?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Take a look at Gerards Website. He's got a section there on converting to disks as well as service to resleeve to 3/4" master. You also need ot use the backing plates off of a Disc brake car to retain correct brake balance and pedal pressures. Read the info at his site and you'll have everything you need. Resleeving in brass also resolves the issue of leaky / pitted MC's. Or you can spend big bucks and buy a new 3/4" MC. Best bang for the buck is to get resleeved with correct 3/4' pistons which Gerard had fabricated.

I'm about to start this process myself, a set of Spindles and Calipers and rear backing plates arrived at my house courtesy of Trevor. Front suspension rebuild / major suspension kit / Sway bar to be installed along with discs front and upgrade rear brakes. Pics will be provided along the way.

 

[Gerard]

Hi, i am doing this same conversion on a MK1 sprite. I have the brakes installed at the wheels, now turing my attention to the hydrolic system. I was thinking midget pedal box (early) and mc, the single line 3/4 bore. Seperate the brake and clutch MCs. Looks like the firewall (hole) will have to be modified to accept this setup, but I believe it is well worth it. Am I on the right track, and any other advice from those who have done it before?

You could do all that, but it's really the more labor intensive and expensive way to do it. Why not keep everything original looking with the exact some end result?

Here's the link to the page Jim was suggesting.