Any Idea waht kind of Brake/Strut setup this is???

[bash555]

As you can see, I believe its a stock 914 caliper with a spacer in it to widen for the vented '75 911 rotors. But I dunno.

Going to ref the brake pad size and also the caliper piston diameter.

I also dunno what type of strut setup this is; or ball joint.

If anybody has any idea, I would really appreciate it.
I need to change out the pads, rebuild the calipers, order replacemnet rotors, and new wheel bearings.

Thanks all.

Sorry for the 75K pic.

[Zeke]

Measure the caliper mounting bolt spacing. My guess is that it's a 911 strut, not a brake that has been 'spaced.' 3" bolt spacing would be an 'M' caliper and 3.5" would be an 'A.' It's not an 'S' caliper, that I can tell you.

Looks pretty big in the pic. Might be an 'A.'

[skline]

I believe Zeke is right, it sure looks like the M calipers I have sitting here next to me. Exactly

[mike95125]

Its a 911 M set up, and the ball joint is the later style (notched post with a notched pin for retaining). I have these on mine.

[bash555]

OK, so we go with the M Caliper.

I tried measuring the bolt spacing today in the rain.
if its 3" - its a M
if its 3.5" - its an A

well, i measured about 3.25"; mind you this was in the rain w/o much light.

I will check again tomorrow.

Another Question:

Mike, you said it was a later syle Ball Joint; later style 911 or 914?

How do you tell if its an 914 or 911 A-Arm ??
I want to get new ball joints and new bushings.

Does a 911 Ball joint fit the 914 A-Arm?
Will a 911 Strut assembly mount to a 914 Ball Joint?
Can I fit a JATO rocket in the engine bay?

It seems that porsche would have made it easier on everyone to just include the 911 front end orginally on the 914.


thanks all,
dave

[mike95125]

"Mike, you said it was a later syle Ball Joint; later style 911 or 914?"
Yes, or more exactly, they are the same. 911 are same as 914.

"How do you tell if its an 914 or 911 A-Arm ??"
They are essentially the same, but the 911 torsoin bar has a different number of splines on it. A 914 bar will not go into a 911 and visa versa, but I have been told that the splines in the A arm can be removed and swapped (?).

"Does a 911 Ball joint fit the 914 A-Arm?
Will a 911 Strut assembly mount to a 914 Ball Joint?"
Again, yes. See previous.

"Can I fit a JATO rocket in the engine bay?"
Yes, but where would you divert the thrust. This would quite likely be the nominal place for the JATO if you were wishing to travel in a vertical path. Better would probably be to mount it on the rear trunk with robust reinforcements. You will probably also need to put slotted rotors, Volvo brakes, swepco tranny fluid, and neon windshield washer lights on your car. The lights will be for the sake of other aircraft that will likely be sharing your airspace.

[bash555]

"aHA , I see!" said the blind man to the deaf mechanic.

ok, it's 3", and yes, I am very proud of it.

so, "M" caliper stuff it is.

Ball Joint's; ok, got it.

So, I order a 914 ball joint; which will fit my existing 911 Strut Assembly.
I order 911 Wheel Bearings to fit my 911 strut assembly.
I order 911 Struts to fit my 911 strut assembly.
I order 911 Rotors to fit my 911 strut assembly.
I order 911 M caliper pads.
I order 911 M caliper rebuild kits.
I order 911 19mm master cylinder.
I order 914 A Arm bushings to fit my 914 A Arms.
I order Air Force surplus titanium zip ties for JATO.

For the Rotor replacement, do I go with Zimmerman Drilled?

For the pad replacement, any thoughts?

For struts, will 914 stuff fit? I think the 911 stuff will be too stiff, maybe not.

Thanks again Mike.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I do not like the drilled rotors. Others do, but I think that for any reasonable use (e.g., anything but a Big Track car) that stock vented rotors are more than fine.

If you go with drilled ones, inspect them every other month. They will crack. When any crack joins two holes together, or when it touches the edge of the disk, throw both disks away and buy new ones.

--DD

[mike95125]

Note: All of the addittive BS that I listed under JATo was for toung n cheek reference only.

I use the regular vented rotors and am happy. For pads I used what ever I could sneak out of James' surplus .

For 914-911 fitment issues for strut inserts see the other post going on right now. Summary= yes, maybe.

When you rebuild the calipers DON'T split the calipers unless they are leaking from where they split! It is not necessary and will cause problems more than likely. I rebuilt mine and it was easy. I may have some spare parts if you F up some of yours. I have a set of split (had to) calipers that are of basically no use to me.

[SteveStromberg]

I use the Slotted rotors.Steve

[bash555]

All I know right now is that when I hit puddles of water or have been on a freeway with lots of rain; I have NO brakes and have to ride them to shed water; and that's a maybe. It seems somehow that the water gets trapped until I stop.

I have no F*cking clue why, but I do remember ****ting my pants when I spun 2 360's crossing from the fast lane across 4 lanes of traffic and ending up parked perfectly ala Ace Ventura on the Right side shoulder all the while doing about 70 mph on 280 North near South San Francisco.
I happily missed an Explorer, a Semi and a UPS van, all to their and my amazement.

How quick and badly will the drilled rotors crack?

Should I remove the shield to the side of the rotor?
It looks like a big dam rain scoop. What the hell is it for?

I am more partial to the non drilled ones, but dammit, they better shed some water.

I got T-Boned by a red light runner in SF who was doing aprox. 55mph when he hit me; on the drivers side.
All I can remember is that I was pissed off he didnt hit me harder, if he was going to do it, do it right; dont leave me concious so I can come over and beat your ass.
Nothing like seeing a half concious 6'3" 230lb avid hockey fan lumbering across the intersection to come beat some ass.
And because his doors wouldnt open, all he could do was watch me and wait.
Needless to say, some people nearby coaxed me to the curb.
Shock is an amazing thing.

After that, my previous car being totalled; that's how I purchased the 914.

All I know is that this thing needs to stop on a dime; in the rain.
And it doesnt.

Any thoughts about the rear bias valve?
the stock one is still there, I am assuming that it has not been adjusted.

Great, yet another with no direction towards pad types.
Thanks Mike

Yes Dave D.; all things fail eventually. But when is my question to you. Yes, I do hammer my car and drive it hard from time to time. But being as light as it is, and using 911 hardware; what is your guess as to how long?
No AutoX'ing.
By reading between the lines, I take it they cannot be turned by the local brake shop?
Tell me why I have such a water problem and others dont.


Thanks guys,
Dave B.



ps Mike: dam, you werent serious about the JATO stuff eh; somm' b*tch.

[mike95125]

I lived in SF with my first teener and I drive crazy yet responsably. I have never experienced what you are refering to. This causes great concern. After a few revolutions your break rotors should be dry enough to grip as well as your pads. Doesnt sound right to me at all. When you replace the front with the 911 gear ***** can the prop valve. It sounds like yours is F-ed up anyway. Good luck.

[karlp]

I ve had that experience with wet brakes...... scary.
I hope you'll find that after a rebuild, if needed, and some pads your pad to rotor clearence will stay correct and constant. I think it is supposed to be no more than .008". Once I worked mine over front and rear the problem went away. I still ride my brakes occasionally on the high way to dry them out when I see brake lights come on up ahead!!
That pad to rotor clearence (Vent gap??) is meant to keep the rotors clear of a film of water, I believe.

Karl

[no substitute]

bash, I think you've got something else going on with the brake thing. A little water delay isn't unusual, but yours is obviously too pronounced. Try checking your disc and pad thickness, and have someone observe the action of the calipers while sitting still to see if it is complete and rapid. Look for MC leaks under the pedal board. Were you applying the brakes when the 360 occured?

[BURN-BROS]

I think your a arms are 911 as well(if you didn't know) . It does have a sway bar mount. I believe your whole setup was from a 911.

[sammyg2]

Your brake problems in the rain don't sound right. How many JATOs did you have lit when you spun?

[bash555]

I had one too many, which is of course, is the correct configuration; but apparently, the light off was sequential, not simaltaneus; thus the spin provided to me.

Its probably the dam 30+ year old Djet firing mechanism.
I probably just need to change out my injection points and reload.

of course, as mike said earlier, i failed to have the prerequisite neon windsheild wiper spray marker lights; thus, I missed my chance to impersanate a crashed UFO spinning across the freeway. maybe next time.

It also may be just worn out bushings in my distrib.

either way, i will be video taping and dataloggin my next JATO/brakeing event for posterity

stay tunned


Hey BURN BROS

so, no 914' came with the sway bar mount eh?
anyone else on the matter?
I take it there isn't a stamped # telling me its a 911 arm eh?

oh yeah, GO SHARKS!

[BURN-BROS]

Thats not what I said,they did, but yours are either not hooked up or your car never came with them. The sway bar mounted through the body immediatly underneath the gas tank and used three bolts to mount on each side. If it didnt come stock in your ride, odds are they came with the strut assem. from the 911. I am currently converting over to 911 suspension from a 72 S. The 914 A arms are virtually identical to 911s except for spline # . So in the short term it doesnt matter, but If you change torsions, count the splines to be sure.

[bash555]

ok, I think I see your logic.

There is a sway bar mount, but no sway bar.

So, they are more than likely 911 A-Arms; otherwise, the sway bar would be there.

Ok, makes sense.
I am not seeign any remians of a sway bar assembly on the body either.

Good call, thanks!

Dave

[BURN-BROS]

No sweat! Looks like the previous owner did your front end right. How did he do the rears?Just curious, because that is the end that doesnt get done properly(most of the time?.Love to see some pics of your ride!
Aaron