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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:10 pm Post subject: I made some 40 stainless retaining plate shims. Have a look. |
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I know right... good golly another shim thread. This is my second thread so take it easy man.
Yes, the retaining plate shims are necessary.
Yes, they are ridiculously expensive ($10-20 each range) - as they are not easily found in abundance. And yes, over the years, they often end up missing on many vehicles.
While I struggled to source a quad set myself (eventually found two at BD), I looked for options. Aftermarket options did not seem to exist - so I decided to have some machined out of 316L stainless steel. More on that later.
In the meantime; while installing remanufactured ATE calipers, I found the pistons were not properly set to 20 degrees in relation to the rotor. So I made a copy of the ATE caliper tool that I'd like to share here.
I made the following drawing. It can be enlarged to scale, printed, and traced onto heavy card stock and cut out. I made a crude one out of 24g steel.
Where exactly do I position the calipers? Well if you have old retaining plates you have a guide. Those that don't have plates may choose to use the following drawing.
And using the 20 degree caliper tool:
Now back to the shims:
As stated earlier, I was able to get two shims from BD. I used these as templates in creating a CAD drawing to have some professionally manufactured.
And here's the end product:
I installed my shims today, and glad to report they fit great, ensuring a correct piston position.
Hope this thread helps.
Last edited by ChipWrecked on Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:49 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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First - excellent work. That said I am the kinda guy who probably would have waited for the originals, new or used, but the work you did should be fine and just as functional as the originals. Thank you for sharing the diagrams. There may come a day when your way is the only way to get shims that work right. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51121 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Knowing personally how much of a Biotch SS is to work with that's very impressive, nice work! Were laaaazzzzers involved?
_________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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Nice! I really like the tool. Hadn't thought of that.
Will you be selling the retaining plates? |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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busdaddy wrote: |
Knowing personally how much of a Biotch SS is to work with that's very impressive, nice work! Were laaaazzzzers involved?
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Laaaaaaazzzzzzers too easy...
I used a light saber and a stead hand.
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Desertbusman Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005 Posts: 14655 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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That's cool. And they arn't going to rust.
It solves 1/2 of the overall problem. Now if you can change the minds of all the folks that think they arn't needed that would be the other major gain. _________________ 71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Wasted youth/adulthood wrote: |
Nice! I really like the tool. Hadn't thought of that.
Will you be selling the retaining plates? |
Thank you, and yes, I will be selling my my extra ones - I'll list it in the classifieds today. I'm thinkin' $45 for a complete set shipped. |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21510 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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ChipWrecked wrote: |
Wasted youth/adulthood wrote: |
Nice! I really like the tool. Hadn't thought of that.
Will you be selling the retaining plates? |
Thank you, and yes, I will be selling my my extra ones - I'll list it in the classifieds today. I'm thinkin' $45 for a complete set shipped. |
Very nice! If they would fit my calipers on my 412...i would buy a set! |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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raygreenwood wrote: |
ChipWrecked wrote: |
Wasted youth/adulthood wrote: |
Nice! I really like the tool. Hadn't thought of that.
Will you be selling the retaining plates? |
Thank you, and yes, I will be selling my my extra ones - I'll list it in the classifieds today. I'm thinkin' $45 for a complete set shipped. |
Very nice! If they would fit my calipers on my 412...i would buy a set! |
I really don't know what other applications these may be used on. If you have an original plate to compare dimensions, my shims, and my type 2 original ones are:
Base is 3"
Height 2 3/4" (to top of alignment holes) |
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aerosurfer Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2012 Posts: 1602 Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a set and just got them installed today... just wanted to share some thoughts and observations! I've never seen the originals before as my bus came to me without them, so I have nothing to compare to. My brakes have only about 500 miles on them, so I did nothing but pull the pads and set the shims and put it all back together
Shipping was very quick!
They look just as the pics, no burrs or rough edges. 2 of them were not completely flat when layed on flat surface, but not kinked or badly warped. Could have been manufacturing or even US mail.
The indents did line up very well to the pistons and the plates fit nice and snug. He had marked at least 2 of the pistons with the orientation in marker which had largely rubbed off, but nothing a Bentley and common sense couldn't fix
The holes for the pins are a little smaller than those for the brake pads. Made the first pin a little difficult to make sure it was totally lined up, but the next 3 were expected as such and went together snug.
After a test drive, there was no vibration or unusual steering and my small persistent squeal is gone for now.
All in all a great purchase and happy to have good re-production parts from a local source. _________________ Rebuild your own FI Harness..My Harness
77 Westy 2.0L Rockin and Rolling Resto!
72 Sportsmobile (sold)
79 Tran$porter... Parts car money machine (gone) |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback on the shims.
On two earlier sets that went out, I marked each shim either: FI, FO and RI, RO thinking this might save time in placing them. But alas it seem to have led to more confusion to the two that received them. So I acetoned the markings off of my remaining stock.
Maybe I should just make a diagram for peeps to save time. Your thoughts?
And yes, I purposely designed the guide holes to be snug to theoretically limit the potential of harmonic vibrations.
Wow, the second half of that sentence sounded like early Pink Floyd lyrics.
Anyway - glad to hear you're squeak free, that they fit well, and are functioning as designed!
Chip |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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Just to update those that have been inquiring, I no longer have any remaining stainless plates. Sorry!
I might get another batch made, but no plans at present. |
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Keith Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 3634 Location: Brodheadsville, PA
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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ChipWrecked wrote: |
Just to update those that have been inquiring, I no longer have any remaining stainless plates. Sorry!
I might get another batch made, but no plans at present. |
Shit, I totally forgot about these !!! Please make some more and let us know when you do.
If you have no intention of making more ever again can you post the CAD file so one of us can make another run ? _________________ Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"
"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty
"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind |
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white74westy Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2011 Posts: 777
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Keith wrote: |
ChipWrecked wrote: |
Just to update those that have been inquiring, I no longer have any remaining stainless plates. Sorry!
I might get another batch made, but no plans at present. |
Shit, I totally forgot about these !!! Please make some more and let us know when you do.
If you have no intention of making more ever again can you post the CAD file so one of us can make another run ? |
Bump!!! |
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blackivory69 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013 Posts: 309 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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ChipWrecked wrote: |
Just to update those that have been inquiring, I no longer have any remaining stainless plates. Sorry!
I might get another batch made, but no plans at present. |
I probably got the last set. Sorry, I forgot to thank you. They work/fit great! Thanks again. _________________ 1970 Double Cab. Stock engine (1600 SP)
1973 Thing (Mexican Safari)
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1969 Buggy |
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ChipWrecked Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2012 Posts: 89 Location: SE PA
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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Well, as luck would have it, I bought another bus (72' Westy) last fall. Sure enough, when doing the front disc brakes, the OEM shims were brittle, rusted, and unusable. Did I have the foresight to keep at least one full set of my stainless shims for personal use? Short answer - no.
So, since I was happy with the shims I've been using in my 71', and need them for my 72', I've decided to make another run.
I'll can have some extras made if anyone is interested. It'll be about 6 weeks. |
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airschooled Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12721 Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Haha sometimes we all have to be a little too selfless
Let me know how much you'll sell a set for, I'll probably be in for one. _________________ Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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TomWesty Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2007 Posts: 3482 Location: Wyoming,USA
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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What year busses do they fit? Asiab3, does Buddy have disc brakes? _________________ If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
Visit: www.tomcoryell.com and check out my music! |
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airschooled Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12721 Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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TomWesty wrote: |
Asiab3, does Buddy have disc brakes? |
No, but I'm always working on something else for fun, and hoarding specialty parts is a small hobby of mine. _________________ Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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have you considered making the tool also. Sell a tool, and 2 pair of shims.
I'd buy. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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