James Duff Budget Front Brake Install Issue??

[Yooper74]

I'm installing the Duff budget front disc brake kit. Everything went great until I tried to put the pads in the calipers and install them. The inside brake pad is way to tight and does not fit between the disc and the caliper mounting bracket. It almost seems like the disc/hub should be spaced further out from the axle.

its all installed per the instructions. One thing that occurred to me today was when I replaced my spindle bearings my spindles are from the earlier style bronco than mine (mine is a 1974). Is it possible the spindles are a different size and the spacing for the kit is off?

Here are some pictures.

Also, I've emailed and called duff numerous times. I cannot seem to get a response going on 10 days now

 

[garberz]

Did you machine the hubs so the rotors fit properly?

Here’s the install video, Mike mentions it, at 4:35.
https://youtu.be/piFAcyW9ZYI

Mark

 

[Yooper74]

yup. had them turned exactly how they said to do it. That part fit up perfect like it is supposed to

 

[Jdgephar]

I always thought you needed the GM spindle to use the GM brake calipers. Reference the tech article here.

http://classicbroncos.com/tech/chevy-disc-brake-conversion

I don't know what parts Duff's uses in their kit to make it work.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[garberz]

I always thought you needed the GM spindle to use the GM brake calipers. Reference the tech article here.

http://classicbroncos.com/tech/chevy-disc-brake-conversion

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

The spindles get some machine work done, so you don’t have to buy new ones. Part of the budget kit. I wish I knew what the issue is.

Mark

 

[Jdgephar]

Spindle or the hub (or both) get machined? I also don't know the order that you need to install the caliper bracket and spindle. Spindle first, then bracket, or bracket first, then spindle with this kit.

Edit: spindle then bracket in the video...

All I can think is that something is stuck behind the spindle or the caliper bracket and it didnt bolt up all the way.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[garberz]

Spindle or the hub (or both) get machined? I also don't know the order that you need to install the caliper bracket and spindle. Spindle first, then bracket, or bracket first, then spindle with this kit.

Edit: spindle then bracket in the video...

All I can think is that something is stuck behind the spindle or the caliper bracket and it didnt bolt up all the way.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

Machine the hub, not the spindle, my mistake.
The spindle, then the caliper bracket. Maybe that’s Yooper74’s issue?

Mark

 

[Yooper74]

Call from duff this morning, Got some info to them and they are looking into it.

I will update when we get to bottom of it

 

[DirtDonk]

Don't overlook pad thickness issues yet. It's been happening a LOT these days, where no matter what brand the pads are, some are just made to incorrect specifications.
I've had it happen with Ford calipers and pads, and GM calipers and pads.

If anyone has a specification, or an actual measurement of theirs that are known to fit, we could compare yours.
From here, they don't look overly thick, but I don't have calibrated eyesight for this kind of thing yet.;D

We've cured this too-thick issue two ways. One is to grind them down on some coarse sand-paper on a good flat surface. The other is to "take them back" and get another set that looks thinner.
In this case, since you're dealing remotely, you can't just pop over to the nearest store that will let you open boxes. But it sounds like they're on it for you and should have things dialed soon enough.
Good luck.

Paul

 

[Armjon1476]

I’m having the exact same problem. Machined the hubs last week and put it together on Saturday. Everything went together perfectly until I put the loaded calipers back on. Inner pad is too tight. I contacted James Duff today and the tech guy was clueless...he had to keep putting me on hold every time I asked a question. I mic’d the pad thickness and the rotor to bracket thickness and the pad is .027” thicker than the clearance. I had a box of 76-77 factory pads so I measured those and they were .025” thinner than the clearance of the rotor and bracket...and .052” thinner than the pads in the kit. I’m sending them pictures tmw and waiting for a solution.

 

[DirtDonk]

Hey Armjon, welcome to classic! And thanks for the update and additional info.
Good luck and let us know what your best result is (new pads presumably).

Thanks

Paul

 

[Armjon1476]

Hey Armjon, welcome to classic! And thanks for the update and additional info.
Good luck and let us know what your best result is (new pads presumably).

Thanks

Paul

Thanks man! I just sent all the info i took down off the James duff so we'll see what they have to say. We could have machined the back face of the hub a little more if the instructions would have given any specific measurements as to how thick its suppose to be, and that would have moved the rotor out and the pads would fit. But i wouldn't think you would want the wheel mount flange any thinner than it was made. My math was off just slightly on my first post also....The pads are .617 thick and the clearance is .586, so a difference of .031" not .027" Doesn't sound like a lot but its all the difference right now!

 

[Armjon1476]

I'm installing the Duff budget front disc brake kit. Everything went great until I tried to put the pads in the calipers and install them. The inside brake pad is way to tight and does not fit between the disc and the caliper mounting bracket. It almost seems like the disc/hub should be spaced further out from the axle.

its all installed per the instructions. One thing that occurred to me today was when I replaced my spindle bearings my spindles are from the earlier style bronco than mine (mine is a 1974). Is it possible the spindles are a different size and the spacing for the kit is off?

Here are some pictures.

Also, I've emailed and called duff numerous times. I cannot seem to get a response going on 10 days now

View attachment 514287

View attachment 514288

Update..... James Duff contacted me this morning and it's pad thickness issue just as dirtdonk said and my measurements prove. They are working with their pad manufacturer on a thinner pad option but could take several weeks before I see a set. in the mean time I'm just gonna take a belt sander to them and make them .550" per their instructions.

 

[DirtDonk]

Good to know. Thanks for the update. Having this spec in print and hopefully easy to find by other members here can save some headaches with any disc install. Even existing installs where the pads are the only thing being replaced.
Armed with calipers we can check thickness before pulling things apart.

If we remember to!

Paul

 

[Armjon1476]

Good to know. Thanks for the update. Having this spec in print and hopefully easy to find by other members here can save some headaches with any disc install. Even existing installs where the pads are the only thing being replaced.
Armed with calipers we can check thickness before pulling things apart.

If we remember to!

Paul

Exactly, The only thing I'm still not clear on and can't get an answer on is what caliper and rotor combo this kit is out of so I can go to a parts store and get pads and rotors quickly if needed. They are supposed to let me know still.

 

[bronconut73]

Update..... James Duff contacted me this morning and it's pad thickness issue just as dirtdonk said and my measurements prove. They are working with their pad manufacturer on a thinner pad option but could take several weeks before I see a set. in the mean time I'm just gonna take a belt sander to them and make them .550" per their instructions.

Love me some Duff's.
They just sent me some Christmas popcorn.

 

[Yooper74]

You guys beat me to the update! Same issue.

Back and forth with Duff the last few days measuring everything on the install. Boiled down to a bad batch of pads. To thick.

 

[Basketcase]

I'm following this thread because I purchased the same kit and am in the process of rebuilding my Dana 44 and converting the front brakes. I directly asked Duff what vehicle this rotor and caliper setup were based on and they refused to answer. Their reply was that whenever I needed replacement parts I would need to contact them and purchase the replacement components from them. I will very interested to see if they divulge the answer to you to resolve your issue.

 

[gr8scott]

In his unboxing video, Monster Mike explicitly says that by using their kit you won't have to use any GM parts. Those calipers sure as heck look
like GM style calipers to me.

For my my conversion I got from WH a long time ago, for calipers and pads I go with 1975 Chevy K5 Blazer 4X4. For rotors '76-'77 Ford Bronco.

And for the record, the good folks at WH had no problem telling me the application when it came time for new pads and calipers.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ACA2225XA

 

[.94 OR]

How are these kits working now that they are on the road?
I didn't realize there was a kit that used more Ford parts than GM so I'm interested.