SSBS Drum to Disc Conversion

I know the drum to disc thing is covered loads in this forum, but i thought i'd let you know some of my experiences i just had fitting the SSBC kit on my 73 CJ5.

On first appearances the kit looks great with some weighty discs and calipers it's all solid stuff... However, it all goes a little downhill from there...

The instructions are a nightmare - they contradict themselves in places, the make no mention of what to do with the shims that are in the pack, there are scant diagrams and none to help you check things as you go along!

Major issues i came across include:
- had to machine down the axle to fit inside the disc housing. I could have ground this down but with my grinding this would have ended up egg-shaped, so i had it sent to a metal shop with a big lathe!
- had to grind the brake hoses to fit into the retaining clips on the axle on the front - had to make retaining clips for the rear as there were none in the pack
- the kit recommends front calipers to be mounted at 3 o'clock (position not timing...) but this would mean it collides with the ball joint which you could grind down but instead i just mounted it at 4 o'clock
- they mark the rear calipers left and right for you, but if you mount them this way round the bleed nipples are at the bottom, making it impossible to properly bleed the brakes
- again they suggest a positioning for the calipers, but this would have meant consequently having to extend the e-brake cable to reach the caliper. I chose a different position for the caliper which meant it just fitted.
- They specify fixing the e-brake bracket to a particular hole on the bracket and to a particular bold on the brake, which of course wouldnt fit!

All in all, the kit is a nightmare. The bits are fine, but if you follow their directions you'll go barking mad! I had a professional mechanic working with me on this and it confused the hell out of him.

In retrospect, i should have listened to the advice posted on this board about building your own kit, and i would have saved a fortune.

Anyone else had any experiences like this?

SA

 

I hate to hear this. If I were you - I'd be sure to let them know all of your problems. Possibly send them an email with everything listed like you have here.

 

In fairness to SSBC i think i'd lost the plot long before their kit was ever around!!! When i was about 14 i think...

We've not quite finished. The back is just about there, although i've got another little challenge because of the centramatic discs I'm using... only a small clearance issue, nothing that a bit of grinding and the careful use of some washers wont cure!!

On the front, I'm just waiting for some new bearings to arrive and then i can reassemble.

I thing we're over the worst of it now!!

Is it me, or does everytime you start 1 little job, it always ends up in 4 BIG jobs? For a while I couldn't bear it when my mechanic rang as it was only ever BAD news!!!!!

I think we are making progress at last...

Thanks Lynn

Stuart

 

Hi Flattie,

i already spoke to Quadratec, who i bought the kit from, who were very sympathetic but not a lot of use...

I'm going to make a full list of all the problems and try and take some pictures to illlustrate the problems if i get time. Either that or i'll just bombard them with spare AOL CD's... tee hee.

On the plus side, the axle has been cleaned and re-painted, and with the discs on it looks seriously cool!!!!!!

 

Got pics?!!!!!!!!! R)

 

The rule of pi applies again: all projects will cost 3.14 times more, take 3.14 times more time work and effort, 3.14 trips to parts shops (.14=returned items), than planned. I mentioned this rule to my wife once. Now she constantly reminds me that there is no such thing as a quick project. Sorry about the mishaps. Hope the rest goes OK.

Karl

 

Guys,

thanks for the votes of confidence!!! I suppose I really must learn some patience...

I've just spent the last few hours whipping up a site with a few pictures, and a nice story of the whole sorry tale so far. The pics of the brake conversion were taken a week ago, so don't show the actual state of progress to date. I'll put those up ASAP. Hope you like the story of my obsession (and Greg's fetishes...)

clicky here www.stuartaldridge.net/jeep

I'd welcome your comments of course..

SA

 

I absolutely loved the write-up! We need some pics of Nero too.

 

Thanks for your kind words Lynn! I tend to be more interested in the human stories behind why people have the rigs they have, and how they got to where they are, rather than the pure 'nots and bults' of restos.

I'm glad you liked my tale, and now that things are moving a-pace with the Jeep, I'm going to really try and keep the site up to date with write ups and pics. I just finished restoring a house in the UK that wazs over 150 years old, and it took us 7 years to do. My big regret was not capturing the progress of the house as we did it so that I could look back and see how far we came. I shan't make the same mistake with the Jeep.

Have you got any pics of your rig about? I'd love to see it.

Kind regards

Stuart.

 

Hi Lynn & Crew,

Alas, i have but a few moments before I have to head off for the weekend to some friends in London, so no Jeepin this weekend.

I did find the time in my frantic schedule today to pop down to Greg's and take some pictures which I have added to the site. In particular, you can see the new and shiny rear axle/brakes in all their glory. You can also see the mighty Greg and the dopey Phil in all of their lesser glory, and a few other general pictures.

Alas Nero was not about today, but I shall return.

I've also started another page called tales of stupidity, which charts my incompetent progress towards financial ruin. It's a small start, but rest assured there is plenty more to add!!! I'm glad you enjoy it.

I'll check out your sites when I get back on Sunday night. I'm really looking forward to it.

Happy Jeepin' in the snow!!!!

Stuart.

 

I laughed out loud on this one... R) R) R)

Great write-up. I really enjoyed it.

One question though - Rock Ram hydraulic steering assist? Just my opinion, but that's WAAAAAAY overkill. Most folks running this are either competition rigs, or running 40"+ tires with a locker up front. Again - if you want it and have the extra cash - have at it!

Just want to make sure you didn't get "talked into it" by a sly Jeep parts salesman. You probably don't need it with 35" tires.

 

Hi Tim,

I'm glad that some of the more sophisticated elements of Greg's humour came across in the piece!!! Every time I'm in the garage, it's a real blast!!!

To be perfectly honest Tim, the original steering set-up that was on the rig was SOOO bad, I went a bit extreme in trying to correct it!!! I read quite a few reports of CJ5's suffering from bump steer, I wanted to do as much as I could to sort out the steering.

I really appreciate the advice you offered, as I'm a bit naive in these parts...

Stuart.

 

Lynn,

I've just been to the Tioga group site, and you guys look to be an amazing group! There are some fantastic rigs there, and it looks like you guys have some good times. I was particularly impressed with John's kitchen. I trust he prepares a mighty feast for you all to partake...

Seriously, I'm extremely envious. You have some beautiful countryside to play in and some very impressive rigs to play in them. You guys are soooo lucky.

Stuart.