1980 front rotor installation

[Danny P.]

I removed the front brake calipers, rotors, dust shields, caliper brackets and wheel hubs. Cleaned and painted the caliper brackets, wheel hubs. I installed a new dust shield, installed the caliper brackets, and wheel hubs (repacked the existing bearings). When I tighten down the rotor it locks into the bottom of the caliper bracket and dust shield. It won't turn. Not sure how to fix? Can I install washers (as shims).... Should I change the bearings to new ones?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

I removed the front brake calipers, rotors, dust shields, caliper brackets and wheel hubs. Cleaned and painted the caliper brackets, wheel hubs. I installed a new dust shield, installed the caliper brackets, and wheel hubs (repacked the existing bearings). When I tighten down the rotor it locks into the bottom of the caliper bracket and dust shield. It won't turn. Not sure how to fix? Can I install washers (as shims).... Should I change the bearings to new ones?

Danny-----

First of all, I don't know exactly what you mean by "tighten down the rotor". If you mean that you tighten the spindle nut down tight, then you're doing it all wrong. If you do that you can be sure the rotor will not rotate. What you need to do is to tighten the nut to 12 lb/ft while you are spinning the rotor. Then, you back off the nut by ONE FLAT of the spindle nut and insert the cotter pin. This should result in the 0.001-0.006" bearing clearance.

By the way, if the bearings have high mileage on them, I would have replaced them with HIGH QUALITY new bearings rather than just repacking. However, the fact that you used the existing bearings should have absolutely nothing to do with the problem you described.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Hi Joe,

I meant when I tighten the 5 lug nuts the rotor does not rotate. I installed the spindle nut exactly how you suggested. Thanks for your input and I have decided to pick up new bearings in the morning.

Regards,
Danny

[Joe L.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Hi Joe,

I meant when I tighten the 5 lug nuts the rotor does not rotate. I installed the spindle nut exactly how you suggested. Thanks for your input and I have decided to pick up new bearings in the morning.

Regards,
Danny

Danny-------


Are your rotors still riveted to the hubs? Did the rotor rotate properly and easily before you installed the wheel? If so, you must have some other installation problem. Simply mounting the wheel to the rotor and tightening the lug nuts should not change the ability of the rotor to rotate. The fact that you re-used the bearings would still have nothing to do with this.

For the bearings use Timken set 3 for the outer bearings and Timken set 5 for the inner bearings.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Danny-------


Are your rotors still riveted to the hubs? Did the rotor rotate properly and easily before you installed the wheel? If so, you must have some other installation problem. Simply mounting the wheel to the rotor and tightening the lug nuts should not change the ability of the rotor to rotate. The fact that you re-used the bearings would still have nothing to do with this.

For the bearings use Timken set 3 for the outer bearings and Timken set 5 for the inner bearings.

Joe,
Whose seal do you recommend?

[Danny P.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

No the rotors are not riveted to the hubs. I removed the existing rotors during the restoration and installed new ones. I haven't installed the wheel/tire assembly yet. The hub turns freely without the rotor. I install the rotor and tighten down all 5 nuts. It is apparent that the rotor is tight to the brake caliper bracket. The rotors are the proper size.

Regards,
Danny

[Michael W.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

You might have installed a rear rotor on the front. They have different offset.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

You might have installed a rear rotor on the front. They have different offset.

That's what I was thinking too. Look to see if there are 2 offset holes, not stud or rivet holes. If so they are rear rotors.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Joe,
Whose seal do you recommend?

Leif-------


National or CR. The National part number is 9406S.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Leif-------


National or CR. The National part number is 9406S.

Thanks Joe.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Rear Note 2 holes for Park brake adjust access.


Front

[Danny P.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

I checked the offsets and they are for the front. I believe it is 2 11/16" in depth.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Try refitting the old rotor to see if it rubs. If so there's an assembly problem. If not the new rotor is the problem. New bearings or old won't change anything.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

Thanks Michael, Looking at my office for them. Pretty sure I dropped them off at the warehouse.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1980 front rotor installation

I want to thank everyone for their input. I solved the problem and please don't shoot the newbie restorer when I tell you what it was. First I apologies ahead of time if I call some parts by the wrong name. When I installed the tie rod assembly I thought the part that bolted to the front hub/spindle went on after the brake caliper plate. Then I realized it is between the hub and the plate. I was going through the boxes holding all my bolts when I found the baggie labeled front brake caliper bolts. I noticed they are 2 3/4 long and that is what gave it away. I checked some of the hundreds of pictures I took during the disassembly stage but the parts were so corroded and dirty that it didn't show it properly.

Thanks, all turned out great

Engine and trans goes back in next week (cross your fingers)