Any big brake kits that DON'T require new spindles?

[shizzon]

I'm just wondering if there are any.

Also, for anyone with and early model non-power steering van who has upgraded to new spindles, has turning difficulty greatly increased?

Thanks!
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[kirsplat]

As far as I know, all big brake kits require late model spindles, 86-91.
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86 Syncro|EJ253|Carat

[insyncro]

[ShowaBraun]

I just machined my early spindles to the same dimensions as the late model spindles so that I could keep my same throw for the manual steering, so no you don't NEED late model spindles for big brakes but you do need modifications.
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83.5 Westy 2.2 Subie
98 Outback 2.5
80 Caddy 1.6TD
66 912

[rubbachicken]

i might well be wrong, but i think late bay hubs will bolt onto the early non power steering spindles.
late bays had a hub and a separate rotor, i looked into them as i was thinking it might be cheaper to modify them, the outer bearing is the same, but the inner bearing is smaller than vanagons, when they went with power steering, they went bigger inner bearings.
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

[tristessa]

I looked at that going the other way, investigating the possibility of using off-the-shelf Vanagon brake kits on the late Bay, but you'd either need to find the right bearing or have bearing adapters made (depending how you tackle the problem) .. by the time you've gone that far it might be cheaper to just go the proven route with Vanagon rotors-into-hubs.

[insyncro]

I looked into this year's ago...using late spindles and off the shelf Big Brake kits will have you up and running the quickest and at standard pricing.

Sure there are plenty of threads showing alternative brakes, but all users late spindles.

[shizzon]

What about machining the early spindles?

I'd really like to know how big of a deal the reduced lever arm is when using the late model spindles. I have big tires and no power steering, so reducing the lever arm doesn't seem like a good idea!
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[r39o]

The early spindles have threads in the holes.

Late ones do not, but have a flat spot on the other side so you use a nut and a bolt.

The first brackets made for the G60 / ML320 rotor setup worked with early spindles.

It is just a matter of offset to allow it all to line up.

Getting the right grade 12 bolts can be an issue, though.

We bought a box of ten a few years ago just for this job and the brackets we replicated.

WE HAVE NO MORE, THOUGH (read insurance.)
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[ShowaBraun]

It's been a while since I did it but I drilled out the holes to remove the threads and made a jig that the machinist could clamp onto to machine the ears to the late spindle thickness of 0.720", which essentially created an early model spindle with the outboard mounting face of a late model spindle and retained the lever arm of a non-power steering spindle. I'll try and take a picture of my simple but effective jig when I get a chance but the basic premise is to use the threaded brake mounting holes to attach the jig to the existing machined face of the spindle. This "jig" then is used to maintain that square plane parallel to the wheels rotation while it is in the mill vice so that the machine shop can machine the outboard face such that the total ear thickness ends up the same as a late model spindle and in the same offset. Chris pointed me in this direction if I remember accurately. Like I said I'll try and take a picture. I was stoked on it when I did it and offered a machining service for this at a nominal fee but had no takers, so I've still got a few sets of early spindles on my shelves (unmachined) probably just hold onto them, whatever.
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83.5 Westy 2.2 Subie
98 Outback 2.5
80 Caddy 1.6TD
66 912

[r39o]

I am not sure if it is worth the effort to machine the the early spindles.

Just look at how your kit fastens and you may just need to adjust something to get to bolt on.

Couldn't hurt before you remove the spindle.

Be sure to use stout fasteners.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[insyncro]

[shizzon]

Thanks for the info everyone!

Seems like one "easy" route could be to get the re-machined spindles from ShowaBraun and then one could just install a big brake kit from one of the well known vendors. Although I think I read something about the caliper mounting location being different between early and late spindles, as well. I assume that would mess up the plug n play nature of the vendor big brake kits?

I need to do some more reading to decide if this is the route I want to go, or whether it'd be better to try the DIY route...
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[r39o]

[MarkWard]

I got this far. The disc is a used one off my race car. I cut down a stock vanagon disc/hub and this was a far as I got. The plan was to use an aftermarket caliper from the performance industry. I have a Syncro now, so I don't know what I am doing. The replacement discs are cheap. Look over at Coleman Machine for an idea of cost.

[insyncro]

[MarkWard]

[insyncro]

[Jake de Villiers]

[shizzon]