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Re: Min specs for TR4 brakes??

To: CarlSereda@aol.com
Subject: Re: Min specs for TR4 brakes??
From: "Robert M. Lang" <lang@ISIS.MIT.EDU>
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 18:06:00 -0400
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
Carl,

I can't speak for all TR4's, but the front rotors on the TR6 start at .510
thickness.  10 mm is a little under .250 inches - those rotors are pretty
thin. I want to point out that replacement rotors are relatively cheap, I
recently saw prices in the $25 per rotor somewhere - there it is: TRF part
number 209327 list price around $35... and the TR4 brake rotor is the same
part as the TR6.

For the rear drums, there should be a number cast in the drum for max
overall diameter. I do know that all big Triumphs use 9 inch drums (except
TR2's and early TR3's, so I looked through a pile of them in my garage.
Save the wisecracks, but the only number I did find on a drum was on an
Al-Fin drum and it listed 9.055 max. inside diameter (230.0 mm for you
folks in the "civilized" world.) I don't see the cast iron stock drums
really supporting a whole lot more of an oversize.

This part is more problematic for you, as they list for about $100 ea., but
you can usually turn them a few times before you have to toss them. FWIW,
the rear brakes do a lot less work than the fronts, so the regular drums
should last a good long time - mine have over 100k miles on them and
they're still okay. I only turned them once.

If you have a pulse in your brake pedal, measure the runout on the front
rotors. But again, with rotors as thins as you listed - you probably need
to replace those puppies.

Get new bolts and lockwashers for the rotor to drum mounting. You might as
well re-grease the front bearings while you have things apart, so get some
new grease seals while you're ordering stuff.

Hmmm, this is starting to add up.

But don't cheap-out on your brakes. Please.

regards,
rml

=====================================================================
Bob Lang      | TR 6 Guy           | Editor: New England Triumphs
Phone:        | 617-253-7438 (days)| 781-438-2568 (eves)
Occupation:   | ComputerZ          | TR fixer-Upper
=====================================================================

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