still wondering............?

[missmouse]

Brakes are awesome now with the 996 set up but im still wondering if anyone can give me some info on spacing out the calipers?
Would it be safe to use large washers or, (obviously better!) make up custom spacers out of sheet metal?
(this is to space out the caliper radially so it has a little more clearance betwen the edge of the disc & the pad retaining clips)

thanks,
Simon

[Corey]

Not ideal, what discs are you using?

[missmouse]

A8 & RS2 brackets.

[missmouse]

A8 & RS2 brackets.

Oh discs are 323mm dia.

[Alistair C]

If you're talking about 1 or 2mm then I can see absolutely no problem with using a nicely machined spacer.

I can only see issues if you're talking 10mm plus - lets face it, the majority of the forces are lateral holding the caliper down onto the bracket. The difference in structural rigidity caused by the lateral forces when using spacers must be relatively minimal.

Alot of people here seem to have issues with regard using spacers to move the calipers outboard - but if we look at the situation from afar, that is exactly what the RS2 brackets are doing anyway - so whats the difference???

[Alistair C]

If the potential movement were such an issue, then surely brembo would be recommending using shoulder bolts to keep things nice and tight.

Or perhaps they wouldn't allow 2 and a bit inches between the bolt head and the mating surface hole whilst using such generous clearance holes.

How much difference could a few mm extra be to tolerances such as these?
I'd just make sure the spacers are a nice snug fitment around the bolts and that there is plenty of thread to screw into the brackets.

[missmouse]

If you're talking about 1 or 2mm then I can see absolutely no problem with using a nicely machined spacer.

I can only see issues if you're talking 10mm plus - lets face it, the majority of the forces are lateral holding the caliper down onto the bracket. The difference in structural rigidity caused by the lateral forces when using spacers must be relatively minimal.

Alot of people here seem to have issues with regard using spacers to move the calipers outboard - but if we look at the situation from afar, that is exactly what the RS2 brackets are doing anyway - so whats the difference???

Alistair, i have some large dia stainless repair washers with correct holes & ideal thickness (about 1.5mm) what do you reckon on those?
The caliper only contacts the RS2 bracket on about the same area as the washers cover anyway so its not like the caliper was contacting a large area before.

[Alistair C]

Well IMHO (and I can only offer opinion), I'd be thinking that was absolutely fine. I'd check they are of uniform thickness with a micrometer first (to be sure they weren't going to put your calipers out of alignment) - but I can't see 1.5mm having any adverse effect whatsoever. Admittedly I don't have an MEng, but I'm yet to hear from anyone suitably qualified to convince me otherwise.......

[missmouse]

Yeh Im pretty sure it will be ok as well. Just for a while in my head will be the worry when i stand on the brakes in an emergency stop!

cheers,
Simon

[Alistair C]

people seem to do far more risky things (25mm+) with wheel spacers - and no-one seems to bat an eyelid. Strange!

[Jas11n]

I have a 1mm spacer washer on each bolt of my caliper (996 C2's). There was a slight error when the brackets were made (exact Seat replicas, blame the toolmaker ) meaning the caliper sat too far inboard and the disc touched the retaining springs even after bending them slightly.
Washers are SS and have been on there for 12 months now.
No probs what-so-ever, and I've given them some serious hammer.

I agree with Alistair, hardly going to cause a catastophic failure.

[Corey]

Been pondering this since posting last night, Simon what is the pad placement like? on the 323 and RS2 bracket you should have a perfect pad placement where there is no pad overhang either on the internal or external diameter. If you are only trying to move the caliper out radially because of the pad retaining clip then just bend it till it clears, as long as you have a couple of mm clearance then you are fine.
Pad placement is the important aspect here.

[Corey]

oh and for those of you contemplating using spacers, there is a world of difference between machined spacers and general washers from the parts bin.
My comment at the top "not ideal" still stands but would work (and has) for some but not me, I would rather remachine another pair of brackets than introduce a spacer.

[missmouse]

Been pondering this since posting last night, Simon what is the pad placement like? on the 323 and RS2 bracket you should have a perfect pad placement where there is no pad overhang either on the internal or external diameter. If you are only trying to move the caliper out radially because of the pad retaining clip then just bend it till it clears, as long as you have a couple of mm clearance then you are fine.
Pad placement is the important aspect here.

Hi Corey, Ive got a few mm of area of disc that the pads dont sweep inner & outer edges.
Could different pads fix this? Not even sure what pads to order when it comes to it!
ill try & take some pix tomorrow.
I have already bent the retaining clips! i was just thinking about a more permanent setup.

cheers,
Simon

[Corey]

As long as the pad sits central to the disc then you are fine. The pad retaining clip may look close but as long as it doesn't touch (which you can check by rotating the disc) then you are fine also.

Take some images and show the world.