37 replies to this topic

[R32Egor]

Anybody??

[GraemeC]

No need for fancy (expensive) drilled or grooved disc.
Greenstuff pads are generally considered a poor performance pad (although some like them).  I would suggest Mintex 1144 for fast road.

[stuart bowes]

 

It looks like .. the advice here is saying remove the spacers and use normal non-vented discs and then there is no problems

 

that's not really how I read it, I think the advice was more along the lines of leave them and go for standard mini calipers, but opinion was a little divided about whether or not the difference in hub geometry causes issues with handling

 

in terms of discs it seems vented / drilled etc is not required 

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 October 2023 - 01:58 PM.

[R32Egor]

If i remove the spacer plate in the calipers and make them usable for non-vented discs, I will need a new fitting kit.

The fitting kit for this available in minispares - GBK1017 - does not appear to be available anymore.

 

Were these calipers *standard* on all metros? Which years were the non-vented version used on metros?

 

I ask because i found a fitting kit on ebay with the following Austin part number - 1011036 - would these be the ones?

[Ethel]

Only the early vented calipers, off the Turbo Metty, had spacers. When they all went over vented discs the calipers were made without needing a spacer.

 

Any difference in offset will only be seen via whatever wheels you have, but you'll still have the discrepancy with the rear end.

 

I inherited a set of Metro swivel hubs from a previous owner, it handled pretty well on them. Alas, I didn't investigate the set up in any detail.

[Spider]

Last question - normal discs or grooved and  crossdrilled? and are the green stuff pads ok or too much?? (stage 1 right now and looking for stage 3 and 90 HP later).

 

I've always noticed that drilled discs develop surface cracks from the drilled holes. I find that worrying, though, I also have to say, I've net seem them fail or break as a result of the holes. Also, the way I look at it all is that you want to increase surface area here between the pads and disc, not reduce it, which is what holes and slots do.

 

 

If i remove the spacer plate in the calipers and make them usable for non-vented discs, I will need a new fitting kit.

The fitting kit for this available in minispares - GBK1017 - does not appear to be available anymore.

 

Were these calipers *standard* on all metros? Which years were the non-vented version used on metros?

 

My Metro, a 1980 model, has solid discs on it, same as those from a Mini. It wasn't until the Metro Turbo was introduced that Metro got vented discs.

The Calipers will fit up on a Mini Hub with a Standard 8.4" Mini Disc and a Standard 8.4" Disc Drive Flange, once the spacer in the Caliper is removed. There's also slightly longer Caliper Mounting Bolts available.
 

[R32Egor]

Thanks all  should be able to find the correct fixing kit from that information.

[Ethel]

I think it was '85 when all Metros got vented  discs.

 

Not sure if we mentioned the mounting holes are slightly different, Metty's using Metric bolts. Minispares do a bolt for fitting 'em to Mini hubs ERA1128

 

 

and while we're at it, the bleed screws are very delicate, replacing them would be a good idea

[Gaz66]

Reading through all this and people's experience with metro hubs and brakes makes me think that there was probably a set of hubs that were different to the "normal" sets that were available. Maybe a run where the kingpin angle was different?
As I have said mine were flawless as regards handling with 3/8" extended bottom arms and mini steering arms but other people's experiences have been terrible.
I wonder if the terrible experiences were just with vented setups?
Who knows!

[Ethel]

I'm not sure there was. You might still be able to see any change points & parts numbers on Rimmers site, or similar.

 

The arms certainly looked like they'd give more roll induced camber than a Mini & the, original steel, wheels had a stupid amount of inset in comparison.

[nicklouse]

Reading through all this and people's experience with metro hubs and brakes makes me think that there was probably a set of hubs that were different to the "normal" sets that were available. Maybe a run where the kingpin angle was different?
As I have said mine were flawless as regards handling with 3/8" extended bottom arms and mini steering arms but other people's experiences have been terrible.
I wonder if the terrible experiences were just with vented setups?
Who knows!

As per Calvers article there were some differences. But they all had the same part number. None were much good.

[R32Egor]

Coming back to this post.

 

I have realised that once i remove the spacers between the 2 sides of the caliper - i will need new shorter bolts.

I have searched Mini Spares for any hint of what bolts i will need but cannot find anything, all i found is the bolts that are needed to attach the calipers to the hub.

 

Has anybody got any ideas of a part number or where I could get a set of bolts?? Or what thread they are?

 

Just a thought - Can I use the original mini caliper bolts?

Edited by R32Egor, 04 November 2023 - 08:47 AM.

[Spider]

They are an odd ball bolt from memory !  M8 shank with a 5/16" UNF Thread. You could use 5/16" UNF Bolts, but watch the alignment of the 2 halves or they can leak at the bridge seal. I made mine from M8 Inhex Bolts.

[R32Egor]

Any idea about what bolt grade is needed?

[Spider]

I couldn't determine what the originals were so that was in part why I opted for Inhex Bolts - in Unbrako, they are Grade 10 at that size.