Brake Parts Have Arrived

I ordered the disc brake conversion kit from http://www.socalautoparts.com without the E-brake.  Shipping was about $55… but it was a heavy shipment.  I went with the 5 lug Chevy wheels.  These are pre-drilled for a 5 x 4 3/4 inch pattern.  We determined that I needed the Short Spline kit.

I also need to make sure I torque the main nut on the disc to 260 lbs, otherwise it’ll eat the spline up.

I’m going to go to autozone and use their loaner torque wrence with a deposit of $99…  I also need to get some studs and nuts for the wheels.  I’ll need 7/16×20 x 1 ¼” Long depending on the thickness of the wheel…

 

 

Brake Setup Idea Part 2

Trike In For Repair

Originally uploaded by Justin Kaiser – Creative Identity Group

Here’s the front side of the brake lever… this goes down to the master cylinder and is pivoted to actuate thebrakes… The bungee cords are for strapping luggage to the luggage rack.

Which Disc Brake Conversion Kit? Short Axle/Long Axle Questions

I’m in the process of researching Disc Brake conversion kits for my VW Trike build.  My mentor “Type 1 Bud” said to check out http://www.socalautoparts.com and I don’t need an E-brake.  So far they are the cheapest at around $235. 

Bud also suggested to go with the cheapest you can find and I can either get the discs pre-drilled for 5 lug Chevy wheels or sometimes use wheel adaptors depending on what he has available.

In my case I have a Swing Axle with no CV Joints, just boots so, since I’m not sure of the donor vehicle I had and the year, the question remains… after I determine what I’m looking for price wise…  what size are my axles?  I’m a VW newbie, so looking around The Samba, I found the following information.  Hopefully it helps you more than it confuses me…

Longer axles came on the 1967 and 1968 bugs and the Type 3’s.  The 1967 long axle used a shorter spline where the brake drum rides than the 1968. The brake spline length on the 1967 is the same on the 1966 down. Both the 1967 and 1968 have the same wheel base though.

1968 was still swing axle rear end. 1969 has IRS. Up to 1966 were short axles and short splines, 1967 long axles short splines, 1968 long axles long splines.

1965: short axle short spline swing axle, five lug linkpin front end.
1966: short axle short spline swing axle, five lug balljoint front end.
1967: intermediate axle long spline swing axle, five lug balljoint front end.
1968: long axle long spline swing axle, four lug balljoint front end
1969+: IRS long spline, four lug balljoint front end

The drum measerment is approx face to face.

Long spline drum 2.5 inches
Short spline drum 2 inches

If you look at the ends (cast iron) of the axle tubes you can tell the difference between the long and shot axle tubes. There is only a 1 1/4″ difference.  The 1 1/4 inch differance is measured between the outside backing plate mounting flange and the inside of the spring plate mounting flange. Short axles measure 4.875 inches on that demension.

Confused yet?  I need to go outside and do some measuring…

Big Bob VW Trike Tires and Wheels – Disc Brakes – Automatic Transmissions~

Which tires and wheels do you use? Disc Brake conversion kits?

Mentor Bud discusses…