Blob1620 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Hi folks, I bought this kit off of a member on here a month or so back, and finaly got to the point on my build to start putting it together. I got the caliper brackets and calipers from said member, 280zx calipers to be exact, with the intention of mounting them to my rear uprights using the included brackets. As you can see in the pictures, while using a 280zx caliper, and the included bracket, the caliper is far to close to the rotor, in fact, its an interference of about 1/8 of an inch. Beyond that, the casting for the caliper, where the brake line attaches, interferes with the bracket...... safe to say this bracket is not intended for this caliper at all. Has anyone seen this setup before and can you please lend me some opinion on the situation. does the fabled maxima caliper have a very similar bolt spacing to this? Am I actually in possession of the maxima-to-300zx rear brake bracket ? I also tried mounting the bracket the other way, to see if i had it backwards, then the rotor wouldn't fit.... also pictured. Edited May 24, 2015 by Blob1620 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper9182 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Just an idea... Flip the bracket around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Am I actually in possession of the maxima-to-300zx rear brake bracket ? Close maybe, at least on names. Maxima calipers, 300ZX rotors, on the Z cars. Scroll down here - http://www.californiadatsun.com/brakes/brake-conversion-upgrade-kits/ The KE is there, and the shapes look similar. This guy used to be Datsun Parts LLC. Changed the name. Same parts, same guy, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) I dont know which bracket you have. I got the maxima bracket on mine running the maxima calipers, with z31 rear brake rotor. Edited May 24, 2015 by Hypertek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Just an idea... Flip the bracket around? I tried that, it resulted in the last of the four pictures. rotor wouldn't even go on. I dont know which bracket you have. I got the maxima bracket on mine running the maxima calipers, with z31 rear brake rotor. Thanks for the pictures, my brackets seem to have a different offset and bolt pattern from what I've been seeing with the maxima caliper trick. I think the bracket may be corect for these calipers, but perhaps needs a different rotor to make it work..... just a matter of WHICH rotor. Close maybe, at least on names. Maxima calipers, 300ZX rotors, on the Z cars. Scroll down here - http://www.californiadatsun.com/brakes/brake-conversion-upgrade-kits/ The KE is there, and the shapes look similar. This guy used to be Datsun Parts LLC. Changed the name. Same parts, same guy, though. The bracket does look similar, but seems to have FAR less offset. That's what leads me to believe I have the correct bracket for the calipers, but perhaps the wrong rotors. Edited May 24, 2015 by Blob1620 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 So, I tried contacting the manufacturer of the kit, only to get a scolding for buying something used and no real support on figuring out what I needed to make it work. Offered to make me a very good deal, and sell me a new kit for retail After playing around, noticed it needed the other generation 280zx rotors, got my old ones sent back to the manufacturer, and got the other generation rotors, and they don't fit ether. Offset and bolt pattern is wrong for maxima caliper, so thats not the answer ether...... I'm truly lost. It appears they could work, but the inside of the rotor hat hits the corners of the bracket. fabricator in me wants to just grind the bracket, engineer in me want so know why this is happening when i apparently have all the right parts now that the kit was designed around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 The engineer in you should take some measurements and post them. Maybe somebody out there will do the same. Be more precise than "about 1/8 of an inch". Look back at your posts and you'll see that there is nothing there that can help anybody help you. No numbers. The brackets all look similar. Your measurement tool and technique in the last picture is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) Are you aware that there are two styles of 280ZX calipers? https://www.google.com/search?q=280zx+rear+brake+caliper&client=ubuntu&hs=zlP&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI2en4vr-FxgIVzFmICh3mPQBN&biw=1344&bih=704 http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/brake_caliper/nissan/280zx.html http://www.partsmonkey.com/en-CA/Part?id=153768&ptnum=4056&PartType=Rear+Brake+Caliper&pvid=9591775&Make=NISSAN/DATSUN&Model=280ZX&Year=1981&Engine=L6-2753cc+2.8L+F/I+TURBO+-+Vin+L28ET http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Caliper-w-Hardware-Left-Rear-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-RemfdCaliper-w-Hardware-Left-Rear-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-Remfd/_/R-SEBSE708A_0248582604 http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Caliper-w-Hardware-Left-Rear-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-RemfdCaliper-w-Hardware-Left-Rear-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-Remfd/_/R-SEBSE1118A_0248582665 You may want to consider using one of the 240SX rear caliper kits. Edited June 10, 2015 by Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 Miles, Yes, the difference between the two generation rear brakes is what led me down the rotor rabbit whole. I assumed i had the right calipers, as they came with it, but that now looks to be untrue. I now have first generation (79-81) calipers, rotors, and pads. This is yeilding the current interference problem, between the rotor and caliper bracket. Based on what I saw from the first set of rotors, i may need second gen (82-end) 280zx calipers and rotors to make it work. Its obvious I dont have a bracket intended for the maxima trick, as the maxima calipers are threaded, and the bolt is retained by threading into the mount on the kit I have. lts not a 240sx kit ether, as (a quick call to autozone to thank for this info) those calipers are 4 1/4" hole to hole And my brackets are 3 5/8" hole to hole.... So it looks like back to second gen rotors :-/ and finding second gen calipers. It would be nice if anone has them sitting around that I could get the bolt hole width measurement from. Thanks all for helping with my headache! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 (edited) I can relate. This link has lists of what calipers go with which rotors and brackets: http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&andor_type=&sid=c97dfedf362bd0134fa39338154643b0&search_app_filters[forums][sortKey]=date&cType=topic&cId=39435&search_app_filters[forums][sortKey]=date&search_term=280zx&search_app=forums&st=25 Edited June 12, 2015 by Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 Well, I had a really long flight to poke around the interweb and look into this more. Its seems the offset of the later 280zx caliper (although I couldn't find an exact measurement) combined with the later rotor would solve this issue. So, i have one caliper and one rotor on the way. stay tuned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 That bracket looks a lot like the brackets I got off eBay. My kit specifies Maxima calipers and late 280ZX rotors. I have not installed it yet, but I have mocked it up on the bench with a spare strut and it all fits together well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) SleeperZAre the brackets threaded? Because all the maxima calipers Ive seen are threaded requiring the bracket to be an open bore. That to me means they arent what works on mine, since mine ARE threaded.I got a late caliper today, but it didnt have the slider bracket, which was aggrivating because thats how it bolts on... I seem to be on The right path with that though.Does anyone have any late (81-82) 280zx calipers? Also, anyone want to buy a complete set of brand new rear brakes for an early one? Ive attached a picture, its all brand new and ready to go, Haha! ) Edited June 20, 2015 by Blob1620 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 The late model 280zx rear calipers are the same style at the rwd maximas and the s13 rear calipers, they can be had for dirt cheap (sold at least 3 sets for $50 a pair). Just look on zilvia for people going with the z32 upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 hmmm, there's a 280zx specialist down here who told me that the early and late 280zx rear brakes are interchangeable, as long as you do everything. Calipers, rotors and pads that is. Seeing as my brackets are threaded, and maxima calipers are threaded for mounting, and all my stuff seems to line up except the rotors hitting the bracket, I'm inclined to believe they will work based on his expertise. I may be putting my foot in my mouth, but i found a yard with some later calipers and I'll find out tomorrow if they'll work. Out of curiosity, are the z32 rear calipers supposed to work with the same mount and caliper as the maxima setup? Thanks for all the help folks, I know this is a seemingly hopeless endeavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Blob Concerning on-line upgrades advice: Trust, but verify. Been burned too many times. Looks like you have this about solved. Post some pictures when you are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) They are not interchangeable, The control arms has welded on mounting ears. The early style has them closer together, so you can't just take a late model caliper and bolt it to the control arm. They are interchangeable if you take the control arm, but you CAN NOT bolt late model calipers to an early style control arm or vice cersa. Edit: Yes the z32 calipers have the same bolt spacing as the maxima rear calipers and s13/s14 240sx rear calipers. Spacing between the rotor and caliper will be a different issue. Edited June 24, 2015 by BluDestiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blob1620 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Well, I saw that at the parts yard today. This leaves me with the idea that this is an incorrectly built bracket, that was indeed intended to use early 280zx calipers and rotors. And it was discovered that they didn't fit, and just sold off..... as annoying as that notion may be, I've decided that I'm done wasting my time on this, and saw some z32 calipers at the yard. I got them, and now I'm going to just build my own bracket like I should have done in the first place. Thanks everyone for trying to assist me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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