FIXED Caliper hitting wheel

sidenberg

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Mar 2, 2010
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I just replaced my old disc brakes with new Tiedown G5 disc brakes with new rotor/hubs and adapter plate. Problem is when I put the wheel back on the caliper rubs the wheel. I guess as fix would be to try different wheel design or maybe adaptors to put the wheel out a bit. But wondering if this is a common issue or have I done something wrong?
 

UncleWillie

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Oct 18, 2011
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Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Are the disk brakes the same size as the original?
Are you using standard trailer wheels and not wheels off of an automobile?
 

MH Hawker

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Jul 13, 2011
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Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

You may be able to use a spacer if its just barely touching. Normal I don't recommend that. Or a off set rim. Or dig deeper and see why.
 

EddiePetty

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Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Ensure that the wheel bearings are not too loose allowing the rim to 'lean' into the caliber.

If it is a very minor rub, a die grinder used gently on the caliper will cure the problem.
 

sidenberg

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Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

i'm pretty sure the wheels are standard trailer wheels howevever it is a year 2000 escort trailer for a 22 ft bayliner trophy with tandom axle. The new brakes are although the same manufacturer as the prevoius (Tiedown) the new ones are the next generation G5 and are not not the same size as the older ones, G4. The calipers are barely touching however the wheel will not turn freely when tightened all the way down. Probably a 1/4" spacer would correct it. It could be possible the trailer originally had drum brakes when new and maybe the wheels for these are designed different. I bought the boat and trailer about 2 months ago with the disc brakes on just the front axle.
 

UncleWillie

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Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

DO NOT space the wheels out from the hubs. :(

The load does not transfer from the hub to the wheel via the studs; The studs only keep the wheel on the hub.
The load transfers fro the hub through the big hole in the middle of the wheel.
The center of the hub needs to be securely and completely in the hole in the center of the wheel.

If you were to space it outward the load would be transfered to the wheel studs.
They will not take the load and you risk having the studs shear off while going down the highway! :eek:
 

H20Rat

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Mar 8, 2009
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5,204
Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

DO NOT space the wheels out from the hubs. :(

The load does not transfer from the hub to the wheel via the studs; The studs only keep the wheel on the hub.
The load transfers fro the hub through the big hole in the middle of the wheel.
The center of the hub needs to be securely and completely in the hole in the center of the wheel.

If you were to space it outward the load would be transfered to the wheel studs.
They will not take the load and you risk having the studs shear off while going down the highway! :eek:

umm, no... The hole in the center has NOTHING to do with the load. Generally speaking, that isn't even touching the hub in most cases! The hole in the center is not considered a precision machined surface, and is often far from round. Think about it this way, if that was true, and there was even .01mm of difference between the hub and hole, your wheel would be flopping around continously. It would fail fairly quickly.

Lots of vehicles run spacers, including some cars that only see track time. (ie, extreme driving with far more load than a trailer) Shearing the lugs off is actually fairly rare, if the proper spacers are used and everything is tightened down to the proper torque. (you are far more likely to shear lugs from not torquing to spec than using spacers.)

The biggest problem for spacers is that they tend to cause your bearings to wear out faster. The load center is no longer in the actual center of the bearing, so you are riding on an edge all the time.

OP... If you only need a small amount, some spacers like these will work fine.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...oduct-line/keyser-manufacturing-wheel-spacers
 

SilverSS07

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Jun 13, 2012
Messages
266
Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

umm, no... The hole in the center has NOTHING to do with the load. Generally speaking, that isn't even touching the hub in most cases! The hole in the center is not considered a precision machined surface, and is often far from round. Think about it this way, if that was true, and there was even .01mm of difference between the hub and hole, your wheel would be flopping around continously. It would fail fairly quickly.

Lots of vehicles run spacers, including some cars that only see track time. (ie, extreme driving with far more load than a trailer) Shearing the lugs off is actually fairly rare, if the proper spacers are used and everything is tightened down to the proper torque. (you are far more likely to shear lugs from not torquing to spec than using spacers.)

The biggest problem for spacers is that they tend to cause your bearings to wear out faster. The load center is no longer in the actual center of the bearing, so you are riding on an edge all the time.

OP... If you only need a small amount, some spacers like these will work fine.

Keyser Manufacturing Wheel Spacers - SummitRacing.com

+1. I've used spacers and adapters on vehicles with no problems. Personally if you're only talking a small amount i would just grind down the calipers a little as already stated.
 

dockwrecker

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Mar 10, 2006
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1,392
Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Not true for trailer wheels. What you are referring to would be a hub centric wheel which is uncommon. Hub centric wheels are typically automotive factory alloy on European cars. 90% of wheels are not hub centric and rely upon the lug taper for load bearing. Spacers aren't ideal, I'd grind a bit on the caliper as my first choice. Sounds like typical Tie Down Chinese crap to me.
 

etracer68

Ensign
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Messages
906
Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

I would look at the rotors, and measure them to make sure there the same diameter as the old ones. If they are, then start looking at the offset of the rotor, and the caliber. Using spacers is not recomended. Find out whats hitting, and go from there.
 

sidenberg

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Mar 2, 2010
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206
Re: Caliper hitting wheel

Re: Caliper hitting wheel

The clearance on this new integrated Tiedown rotor/hub between the rotor and the inside of the wheel is 5/8" while the rotor/hub I took off left a clearance of 7/8". Both were made by Tiedown. I am questioning the dimensions of this new rotor/hub. 5/8" does not leave much space for a caliper. Thing is I just hate to have to remove all this and start all over again.
 

sidenberg

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Mar 2, 2010
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206
Re:FIXED Caliper hitting wheel

Fixed it. Turns out the problem was with the rims. I got a new rim on and the whole thing works just right. Guess i should have tried that first right. Reminds me of the time i dug a six foot hole in my front yard looking for a broken pipe. My lawn guy walks up and says the pipe is just a little to the right. 5 inches over i found it less than 2 foot down.
 
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