Re: disc brake conversions

Posted by Matt snape On 2011/8/15 20:29:24

Tom/Fred,

I must say I have never heard of any such issues myself, but I wonder if it might have something to do with the salted roads for your Nth American winters? I have just pulled apart the drums brakes on a 34 1100. I doubt they have seen use in over 20 years and the car came out of a field somewhere but with a quick blow out with compressed air I would be happy to trial them as is.

My 95 Jeep Cherokee with cheap aftermarket front rotors on it sat outdoors in the weather for 2 years while I rebuilt the motor and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the rotors or brake components at all. That being said there are steels and there are steels and no easy way to tell if the quality of the materials that we pay for is as good as we might expect.

In the 60's and 70's a deal between a European steel manufacturer and the Italian government saw companies such as Alfa Romeo forced to source their body work steel from a particular source. The company use to quench its sheet metal in salt water (D'Oh!) and this is why Alfas of that era had such appaling rust problems - one that still affects the companies reputation today.