Vented Brakes Upgrade FAQ

[doug73cs]

Couple of questions not addressed in the FAQ on Vented Brakes Upgrade.

Will the non tii backer plates still work with the larger rotors?

What is the thickness required to shim the calipers to center? Just 1" washer seems vague.

What recommendations for paint on the calipers to keep from oxidizing?

What torque on the install of new wheel studs into the 320i hubs? Should lock tite be used? Anti seize paste?

Thanks,

Doug

[ClayW]

Will the non tii backer plates still work with the larger rotors?

You have to trim them to fit around the bigger caliper. I just left mine off. It's a personal preference.

What is the thickness required to shim the calipers to center? Just 1" washer seems vague.

Due to manufacturing tolerances, you kind of have to eyball it. Usually, a standard (1/16th" thick?) washer will do.

What recommendations for paint on the calipers to keep from oxidizing?

People sell caliper paint. You can really coat them with high temp paint and be okay. The point is to keep them from oxidizing, not making them flashy. Powder coating would work, but that's more involved and would cost a bit more.

What torque on the install of new wheel studs into the 320i hubs? Should lock tite be used? Anti seize paste?

In Texas, there are a few levels of torque specificity; "Good 'n' tight" and "Farm tight." I went with the latter. I'm sure someone will chime in with the proper torque spec, but I turned them in without Loctite or anti-seize and haven't seen them slip at all.

[doug73cs]

Thanks Clay - I'll go with small town tight since it's all I know.

If I can find a simple and clean way to trim the backers I'll try that otherwise - they are toast.

Doug

[TobyB]

I found that .070- .080 washers worked well-

I also found that you really need to measure all of them

since tolerances in cheap flat washers are pretty variable, and

you really don't want 2 different sizes.

And a pair of tin snips actually does a good job on the backing plate-

the part you need to trim is just a flat tab.

I'd add drilling a hole (or many small holes) in the center

of the backing plate, as a vented rotor wants to draw air from there.

And the backing plate doesn't allow that in stock form.

I think I used a hole saw of appropriate size, but it doesn't have

to be scientific- a bunch of small holes would function as a rudimentary

rock screen.

t

[doug73cs]

Toby - do I take it that the diameter of the backing plate is large enough to not rub the larger rotor? I haven't tried any trial assembly so far but just assumed the lip would have to be trimmed. Good idea about the holes if the backer stays.