Brake caliper spacers - why? (260mm front)

Brake caliper spacers - why? (260mm front)

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ClausB

Original Poster:

43 posts

162 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Hi all!

The front brake discs of my Chimaera 450 need to be replaced.

For the 260mm discs, there are two options that differ by the height of the brake disc: 53mm vs. 58mm. It seems, some cars are fitted with the 53mm version and some are fitted with the 58mm version - I couldn't find any regularity in this.

When the 53mm discs are used (as on my car), there is a spacer between the upright and the caliper bracket. Also, they seem to have used M10x30 bolts instead the Ford standard size M10x25. The spacer is needed so the brake caliper doesn't touch the disc, but the gap is very small on one side and the disc isn't centered in the brake caliper.

My question is:
Is there any technical reason for the spacers? Today both disc types are available, so can't I just use the 58mm-version of the disc, putting the disc 5mm more inwards, get rid of the spacers so the caliper moves 4 mm inwards and so the disc should be at the center of the brake caliper? Do I miss something?

Picture of the current disc (53mm) not in the center of the caliper:
http://www.cbdj.de/pistonheads/forum/chimaera-450-...

Picture of a spacers (at pointy end of vernier scale):
http://www.cbdj.de/pistonheads/forum/chimaera-450-...

Cheers,
Claus

N7GTX

7,823 posts

142 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
If you fit the 58mm discs then you will need to use the original length mounting bolts M10 x 25mm as you will be removing the spacer. Use high tensile 12.9 grade if you cannot get the originals.
So long as the disc is in the centre of the caliper carrier when bolted down fully then it is a simple job.
Note that the holes in the caliper carrier are not threaded all the way through to prevent the bolts touching the back of the disc.