D52 Caliper Rear Disc Brake Brackets

[texastrendz]

pm sent, as well as the money

[texastrendz]

got my brackets, i need the years for the parts that i need. like rotors, calipers and things of that nature

[Captainfab]

The applications and years are listed on the first page of this thread.

Basically you will need front rotors for a '92-'02 AWD Astro/Safari van. The D52 calipers were used on the trucks from '71-'87, as well as many full sized cars from the 60's and 70's. If you need a D52 caliper with a built in e-brake you will need the rear calipers for a '76-'78 Eldorado. As for hoses you can either use hoses from a '71-'72 pickup, hoses for a '79 Chevette, or any of the aftermarket braided stainless hoses.

Is there any other parts you need help with?

Originally Posted by texastrendz

got my brackets, i need the years for the parts that i need. like rotors, calipers and things of that nature

[texastrendz]

that is exactly what i needed. thanks for the quick response, brackets are beefy. not going to be any flex in them. nice

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Those are the Eldorado D52 calipers with the built in e-brake. Those are the ones you would use if you need an e-brake on this conversion. If you turn those in as cores, make sure you keep the e-brake levers. As far as I know you cannot buy replacements for them. And yes you can use 15" wheels as long as they are disc brake compatable.

If I were to buy new calipers from the parts store, does that mean that they will not come with everything needed to run an e-brake? Are there parts that will ultimately have to be found used or in a junkyard? I was planning on not running an e-brake, but it hadn't occurred to me that it was necessary for the state safety inspection, so I'll have to go with the Caddy calipers it looks like. Anyone had an experience with finding the Caddy calipers new with the e-brake setup? I don't actually think that for the safety inspection that they usually even check the e-brake, but I'd rather be safe than sorry and not be able to pass inspection sometime down the road.

[Captainfab]

I haven't bought the Eldorado calipers myself, but I have read that they don't come with the arms for the e-brake. Some guys have made their own using the correct size wrench. If you get a set of the Eldorado calipers and they don't come with the arms, and you can't get the issue solved, let me know and I'll get you taken care of.

BTW, your brackets shipped today. You should see them Saturday or Monday at the latest. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by shiner2001

If I were to buy new calipers from the parts store, does that mean that they will not come with everything needed to run an e-brake? Are there parts that will ultimately have to be found used or in a junkyard? I was planning on not running an e-brake, but it hadn't occurred to me that it was necessary for the state safety inspection, so I'll have to go with the Caddy calipers it looks like. Anyone had an experience with finding the Caddy calipers new with the e-brake setup? I don't actually think that for the safety inspection that they usually even check the e-brake, but I'd rather be safe than sorry and not be able to pass inspection sometime down the road.

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I haven't bought the Eldorado calipers myself, but I have read that they don't come with the arms for the e-brake. Some guys have made their own using the correct size wrench. If you get a set of the Eldorado calipers and they don't come with the arms, and you can't get the issue solved, let me know and I'll get you taken care of.

BTW, your brackets shipped today. You should see them Saturday or Monday at the latest. Thanks again.

I got the shipping info today, I appreciate it. As far as the calipers go, I haven't taken a look at any yet in person, so I'm not familiar with them. If anyone has any photos of what they look like in stock form and with a fabbed e-brake set up, that would be awesome. When you say with the correct size wrench, what exactly are you referring to? Sorry for being so in the dark about it all, like I said, I haven't had the calipers in my hands to see for myself yet.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by shiner2001

I got the shipping info today, I appreciate it. As far as the calipers go, I haven't taken a look at any yet in person, so I'm not familiar with them. If anyone has any photos of what they look like in stock form and with a fabbed e-brake set up, that would be awesome. When you say with the correct size wrench, what exactly are you referring to? Sorry for being so in the dark about it all, like I said, I haven't had the calipers in my hands to see for myself yet.

I have a set of the Eldorado calipers at home. I will dig them out and post some pics of them this weekend.

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

I have a set of the Eldorado calipers at home. I will dig them out and post some pics of them this weekend.

That would be fantastic! And if you'd care to sell them...I know a guy in Texas that would probably take them off your hands.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by shiner2001

That would be fantastic! And if you'd care to sell them...I know a guy in Texas that would probably take them off your hands.

I have three projects of my own fighting over which one will get the Eldorado calipers I have. I will let you know if I come across any more.

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

I have three projects of my own fighting over which one will get the Eldorado calipers I have. I will let you know if I come across any more.

I completely understand that. I will be more than thankful just to get some good pictures of them. May head over to the junkyard in a bit and see if I can get lucky enough to find a set.

[MrClean]

I found these awhile back, but they are way out of my budget
http://www.tsmmfg.com/3121.htm

[texastrendz]

capt. fab,

i have assembled my rear disc brake kit(d-52 style) and noticed the outer pad is dragging on the rotor hat. is this normal, or should i be concerned? looking at your post of the installed pads it looks like yours are touching as well. is this going to create a singing noise or a vibration in the braking system? thanks again.

[cpetersen]

Make sure you that you keep the E-Brake brackets.

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by cpetersen

Attachment 650448 Make sure you that you keep the E-Brake brackets.

Can you post some other angles of that? Particularly the e-brake bracket...many thanks!

[cpetersen]

Did you also put longer wheel studs in?

[Captainfab]

The assembled brackets shown in the pics were the prototype's. And yes the pads were touching the 'hat' of the rotor. After seeing that issue, I made the caliper brackets 1/16" longer to move the caliper farther from center. This is the first that I've heard of anyone having the pads touching the 'hat of the rotor. I suppose there is a certain amount of variances with different pad manufacturers. I don't know if this would create any noises or issues. Do you have a way to grind down the flange on the pads where they touch?

Originally Posted by texastrendz

capt. fab,

i have assembled my rear disc brake kit(d-52 style) and noticed the outer pad is dragging on the rotor hat. is this normal, or should i be concerned? looking at your post of the installed pads it looks like yours are touching as well. is this going to create a singing noise or a vibration in the braking system? thanks again.

[texastrendz]

i resolved the issue by clearancing the contact area of the pad on the caliper itself. i think by grinding the pad i was not resolving the issue. by clearancing the caliper i now can replace the pads without any issue in the future. i only have about .040 clearance. since this is a floating caliper i think it will be fine. i tweaked the mounting tabs of the pads to pull it tight against the caliper not not let is float as much. seems to look o.k. i used a napa brand semi metalic pad.

[SBTork]

These look awesome and I will be getting a set in the future. I just want to make sure of one thing. I can use my stock master cylinder and just add an adjustable proportioning valve and they should work fine, correct?

[Captainfab]

Some guys get away with doing that, but it isn't the correct master cylinder to use. Since you're replacing the rear wheel cylinders with calipers, you need more volume to the rear. So the best master cylinder to use is one designed for a disc/disc brake system. Then you can either install a disc/disc proportioning valve, or install an adjustable proportioning valve in the rear line. The Wilwood unit I posted a pic of above is a nice all in one unit.

Originally Posted by SBTork

These look awesome and I will be getting a set in the future. I just want to make sure of one thing. I can use my stock master cylinder and just add an adjustable proportioning valve and they should work fine, correct?

[Captkaos]

PM sent

[Captainfab]

PM returned....thanks

Originally Posted by Captkaos

PM sent

[shiner2001]

Anyone ever come up with any more e-brake solutions other than the Caddy calipers?

[Captainfab]

I've been looking into the possibility of adding another caliper to the assembly that is mechanically operated.

Originally Posted by shiner2001

Anyone ever come up with any more e-brake solutions other than the Caddy calipers?

[shiner2001]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I've been looking into the possibility of adding another caliper to the assembly that is mechanically operated.

Sounds good to me. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for any updates!