Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Disk Brake Swap Problems


Recommended Posts

Howdy, I had another thread going but it lost momentum and I have a new line of questions regarding my rear disk brake swap on an EA81.

 

1: I can't remove my left-side drum brake:

A. I removed the axle castle nut & flat washer, but cannot remove the cone washer from the axle; I just bought a brass punch and it did me no good (I went to 5 stores to find one).

B. It was really hard to remove the right-side drum/hub (I had to turn the adjuster screw all the way to release it). I sheared off the adjuster screw on this side with it fully turned in; does anyone have a suggestion of how to remove the drum?

 

2: On the right-side, I have the drum off and the new backing plate bolted up. I'm experiencing a bunch of problems here:

A. The new backing plate contacts the disk rotor slightly.

B. The axle won't turn when I tighten the castle nut down on the rotor.

C. The caliper doesn't seem to fit. The backing plate is spaced (1/2") back from the rotor and I can't seem to figure out how to make the caliper fit. Is there a separate piece (bracket) that I don't know about?

 

Thanks,

- Noah

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Howdy, I had another thread going but it lost momentum and I have a new line of questions regarding my rear disk brake swap on an EA81.

 

1: I can't remove my left-side drum brake:

A. I removed the axle castle nut & flat washer, but cannot remove the cone washer from the axle; I just bought a brass punch and it did me no good (I went to 5 stores to find one).

 

- Noah

 

To remove the cone washer, get a nice stout flathead screwdriver. Wedge it into the gap on the cone washer and hammer it in. This spreads the cone and pops it out.

 

To pull that drum off use a 3 jawed puller. You aren't going to break anything you'll still need.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, my biggest question is:

 

Is there a separate bracket that goes between the caliper and the backing plate? I don't seem to be able to make the caliper bolts line up w/ the backing plate's. Plus, when I try to align them it places the brake pads too far inboard of the rotor. (!?!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

did you get the drum off the other side?

 

another good way, is to loosen the castle nut a bunch (not even finger tight....but definitely leave it on) and drive the car a bit (slow speeds. up and down the alley/driveway, something like that). the weight of the car will usually pop out the cone washer pretty easily.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I got it.

 

The brass punch was expensive and did me no good. The screwdriver trick to pop out the conical spacer worked perfectly. I read somewhere about that driving trick, but that was not an option with one side disassembled.

 

I just bled my brakes and drove around, man these brakes feel great! Time for a highway trip in the wagon! :burnout:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...