Brake Spacer Material

[Lewis's Friend]

This is really a question for a future bit of work. I've just bought some fiesta st150 front brakes, and over the winter intend to fit them.

I need to have a spacer made up for the calipers, and I was wondering whether there is any reason not to make it from anodised aluminium? The only reason I could think not to is if the steel hub/caliper could end up damaging the aluminium of the spacer.

As always, all thoughts welcome.

[phillpot]

There are no doubt many grades of "aluminium" (do you know what you've got/are getting?) but personally bolting a steel caliper to a steel carrier hub I'd go for a nice solid "it's going nowhere" steel spacer.



.... presuming the Fiesta calipers are steel, like original and the 887 / 888 calipers?

[Alan461]

Agree with the above, especially as it will be potentially exposed to salt and wet, any corrosion between them could be cause for concern.

[Lewis's Friend]

The fiesta calipers are indeed steel. As I say, while I have bought the bits I only intend to be doing this over the great winter lay-up!

You make a good point, I think the spacer will be steel. I thought of Ali as it would be lighter (but for such a small item I guess the benefit would be negligible), and easier to machine.

Cheers for the thoughts.

[phillpot]

Lewis's Friend said:

(but for such a small item I guess the benefit would be negligible)

Indeed, compared to the weight of the caliper, disc and hub carrier... a most un-sports car like chunk of iron!

[Marc C]

As Alan461 said, you might get a galvanic reaction on wet salty winter roads

[mk1fan]

It maybe easier just to source some 58mm high discs rather than use the 48mm high Fiesta items. Does move the disc nearer to the steering track rod end. But does move the calliper away from any balance weights on the outside edge of the wheel.

At some point I'll update my thread with the part nos / models bits came from. Bit busy at the moment.

[v8s4me]

This is quite a useful link...

http://www.brakebook.com/bb/mintex/en_GB/N142/Brak...

put in the non-variables ie internally vented, hole arrangement (4) & bolt hole circle (108mm)

This gives you a choice of 14 discs. Find the height you need and check the centering diameter.

Looks like this one is quite close....

http://www.brakebook.com/bb/mintex/en_GB/MDC638_82... with a 3mm spacer (disc turned down if necessary)

Other discs & disc manufacturers are available

Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 29th July 12:52

[Lewis's Friend]

I do need to do a bit more research, and over the winter I intend to mock up the setup and see I about disc offsets etc.

I have seen people taking cuts out of their discs to get clearance, which if possible I want to avoid so that disc replacement is always just bolt on.

Clearance between track rod end and wheel weights obviously il have to judge nearer the time.

I will document what I end up doing though, as I've found other people's threads very useful so will try to return the favour!