For Stock Steel Wheels - Shave Wilwood D52 Calipers?

[ShortCST]

I located a couple of clean 4 nub 6 lug 15" steel wheels with 4.0" inch backspacing. Got 'em powder coated. Then I bought the Wilwood Dual 2.0" Piston D52 caliper disc conversion to replace my original 1968 C10 front drum setup.

Just placing the rotors and calipers into the wheels laying on the garage floor, it is clear that the calipers aren't clearing the wheels.

Is it easy enough to file down the outside edge of the aluminum calipers? Does a lot of material need to be removed. I'm not afraid to paint over some exposed aluminum.

I'd really rather not use spacers, if it can be avoided. If it can't be avoided, could someone please let me know what thickness I need? I'd very much appreciate someone who's done this giving me some insight.

Thank you.

[GR8-68]

I believe you would have to remove to much material, the wheels you have were designed to be used with drum brakes.

[ShortCST]

Thanks Larry,

I actually have the 4 nub steel wheels on the front from the later disc brake trucks.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

I believe you would have to remove to much material, the wheels you have were designed to be used with drum brakes.

3-nub wheels were DRUM brake wheels.


To the OP,... I have had the Wilwood D52 calipers with truck ralley wheels, and no issues.
But my 15x7 rallys had a 3-5/8" backspace.
Are your wheels the 15x6.5 version or the wider 15x8 version?

[hewittca]

On my old Malibu, I had 15x7 Rallye wheels from a Corvette on the front with Wilwood calipers. I forget which calipers exactly, but I did have to file the corners down a bit to get this combo to work. I think I took off about 1/8" or so on all the corners and edges of the caliper and I never had any issues with them. I just went at it with a file until the wheel spun freely.

[Eastonspeedworks]

I'm running a similar setup on my truck but 15" wheel vintiques. In my case I only needed a 1/4" spacer to clear the wilwood d52. I didn't want to run spacers either but there wasn't much option.

[ShortCST]

Edit: A LOT of material needed to be shaved off the outer half of the calipers until they finally didn't rub. A LOT. I have photos if anyone is considering doing the same..