Convert to floater or replace my axle housing?

[SSLance]

I lost count mid way through the year but it probably saw 150 autocross runs, (5) 20 minute sessions on the Gateway road course, and 3500 miles overall just this season. Or as measured in tire wear, about a set and a quarter of brand new Falken 615Ks.

I never imagined that this car would be putting the force that it is on the drivetrain. Ron's setup on it has it making WAY more grip than I (and a lot of other people) imagined it would.

The decision is going to come down to brake choice I believe. I won't spend an additional $1700 on a brake kit just to upgrade to floater ends. I'll swap to tapered bearings for $300 and see how they do for a year first. Now if there is a way to upgrade to floater ends and keep my existing brake package, I'll explore that option.

I'm sure once Ron catches up after getting back from Vegas we'll dive into exploring options. No hurry at this point.

[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by SSLance

They do use a rotor that slips over the studs. The caliper mount is more like a brake backing plate than just a mount as it also holds all of the e-brake shoes and springs in place.

It's all very tight back there, I had to rotate the backing plates 180 degrees from normal mounting position to put them forward and down of the housing to get them to clear the frame and it is still very close.

That would be my concern about sending the housing off to have different ends welded onto it, making sure it would all still fit once it came back.

I'd consider switching to a different style of rear caliper if it made a switch to a full floater easier for packaging...if it wasn't too costly and I could keep my same wheels.

Hey Lance,

There a re few options & non-options. Using your current slip brake rotor & Ford Explorer rear calipers is an option. Keeping the parking brake with that package is not an option.

Switching over to different caliper & rotors is a low-cost option, if we do it at the same time. Going with 12.19" rotors & a Superlite 4P calipers is relatively affordable. They only "aw shucks" thing is ... it would be a shame to simply match the braking of the Explorer set-up. For the same cost you could increase the braking force ... but you'd need to increase the front braking force also ... to keep it balanced.

[gerno]

I used the new Wilwood parking brake when I set up my floater last year. I'm running the Wilwood spec 53 12.19 rotor with the Wilwood 4 piston calipers. I think the setup works really well. Speedway set everything up for me and had the brackets made. Overall the price was not bad and I think the replacement cost for the components is fairly reasonable as they wear.

One thing you do need to remember is to add the inner axle seal near the pumpkin. I tired running without one and ended up with gear oil all over my rotors. Not a good thing...