Front Brake Dust Sheild install

[RestoreThemAll]

Hi guys,

I'm installing the front brakes and hub on my BJ7. I don't have the hardware that goes with the adapter plate that the brake caliper and dust shield mount on. I have many pics but none that show how that dust shield mounts. My shop manuals aren't much help on this one.

I'm mostly Ok with the back two tabs of the dust sheild, as I have the caliper mount bolts.

Are there rubber bushings for the dust shield tab holes, both front and back?

For the front tabs; First the adapter mounts, then a washer, then the dust shield tab on top of that? A pic would help.

Thanks, Dale

 

[57_BN4]

Hi Dale,

A pic of what you have would help us understand what you are referring to.

I have a set of disc brakes that came with the car and I disassembled and cleaned them up. There is a flat washer under the dust shield tabs that fills the spot-face on the bracket, then on top of the tab is a star washer, the smaller bolts have external teeth on the star washer and the bigger bolts have internal teeth.

A good place for exploded diagrams is the parts supplier websites.

Andy.

 

[RestoreThemAll]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your explanation.

If I understand you correctly the attached pic shows the proper install. It's strange that the hole in the tab is so much larger. The tab will clamp down I suppose.

I'm not clear on star washers, internal external. Is that the way that the teeth are facing?

Dale

 

[57_BN4]

Hi Dale,

No trouble.

Yes, the star washer teeth I'm referring to. Really depends on how much originality you are into I guess.

btw, have you had your stub axles crack tested? My experience is that between 25% and 50% of original ones are cracked to some degree.

Andy.

 

[RestoreThemAll]

Andy,

I did have the king pin bushes reamed by a retired machinist. Is crack testing the axles something that the machinist would do as routine? It's been several years since he did the work. I'm not sure if he'd recall. The project stalled for a while.

Dale

 

[Bob_Spidell]

... Is crack testing the axles something that the machinist would do as routine? ...

Not necessarily. The 'old timers' (Norman Nock, my father) know to hold the axle at one end and give the spindle a tap with a metal implement. If the spindle is solid you'll get a resonant ring--like a tuning fork--if not you'll get a dull thud.

 

[57_BN4]

Is crack testing the axles something that the machinist would do as routine?

Crack testing is a reasonably specialised thing so I doubt it. I got mine checked at Materials & Testing Laboratories Ltd which is just down the road and the two replacement ones the car was fitted with passed, the other original spares that came with it were not so good. There are two tests normally, one to check if there are cracks and the other to certify to some standard that the items are not cracked. There is a big price difference due to the liability associated with the second test. I chose the first.

The chances of having a cracked stub axle fail are pretty low with sunday driving and there are probably dozens of them out there that will never get driven hard enough to advance the cracks to failure point. Kind of messy when it happens though and something I'd rather not take a chance on.

Andy.

 

[RestoreThemAll]

I spoke with Hans the machinist this morning. He’s over 80 years old now and sharp as a tack. Fun to speak with, tons of knowledge. He did not crack test the axles. Hans questioned me about what the car has been, and will be used for. In the end we agreed that yes there is a risk but it’ll be a Sunday driver. Not as much stress as a racer. I am keeping a list of upgrades for the future, and upgraded axles are high on that list.

Thanks Andy for bringing up this safety issue. I’ve learned from the experience.

Thank you also Bob. I’ve heard of the great Norman Nock, and I’ve seen your name and input on the BCF. I respect and appreciate your knowledge.

Dale