NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

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MCJW
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

Things are progressing relatively well, I'll post more of an update tomorrow, now I've read multiple things on the forum, and I'm undecided which way to go at the minute, do I fit the calliper at the front, or the rear? If I fit it to the front, what problems will I come across when I come to fit my anti roll bar? And if I fit the to the rear, what problems will I come across with brake flexis etc?
All response welcome!

Cheers
Matt
:cheers:
Matt Wood BSc (Hons)
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Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
Membership No. A1865
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gazza82
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by gazza82 »

Spotlight Spring 1998 has a whole section on modifying A35 brakes .. might be something we need to resurrect (and re-write) in a future mag with some updating.

I'm pretty sure there have been several threads on the forum about disk brake hoses, and some recently .. like this one ...

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9795&p=112405&hilit ... ke#p112405

... adds to the idea that we need a central location to store all this useful info (On my "for consideration" list!)
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

Club WebEditor.

Cars: "Project 757" '59 A35 2-door bought in 1971 & Subaru BRZ SE LUX Auto plus "family fleet": Alfa MiTo, Peugeot 206, (Ex '98 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS)
MCJW
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Location: West Yorkshire

Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

gazza82 wrote:Spotlight Spring 1998 has a whole section on modifying A35 brakes .. might be something we need to resurrect (and re-write) in a future mag with some updating.

I'm pretty sure there have been several threads on the forum about disk brake hoses, and some recently .. like this one ...

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9795&p=112405&hilit ... ke#p112405

... adds to the idea that we need a central location to store all this useful info (On my "for consideration" list!)
:iagree:

Cheers Gary! I'll take a look.
I have to agree that would be a good idea :D
Ta
:cheers:
Matt Wood BSc (Hons)
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Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
Membership No. A1865
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David Swain
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by David Swain »

When I fitted mine the general consensus was to fit them to the front, which I did. But now with the academy racers fitting them to the rear with bespoke hoses, that seems to be the new vogue. :D
David Swain. Member No. A1743
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Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk

A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
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Neil Evans
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by Neil Evans »

David Swain wrote:When I fitted mine the general consensus was to fit them to the front, which I did. But now with the academy racers fitting them to the rear with bespoke hoses, that seems to be the new vogue. :D
Not so much vogue as current best advice*... :thumbs:

I recently fitted one to the front of the hub with a standard brake hose, as has been the recommended way for years, and whilst the spring was out I was able to move the suspension and steering throughout its entire range and I could not find a position for the hose that I was happy with for all of the extremes. But don't just take my word for it... (I'm a firm believer in the principle of 'two heads are better than one')... try it for yourself with the original hose... It will only take you a few minutes...

*it may well be the case that a better way is with them mounted to the front and using a bespoke hose, made up with an A35 type body fitting on one end and a Midget type fitting on the other (I've no idea of the optimum length required). That would have taken more time and have involved the delay and expense of one-off hoses. Now that Moto-Build can supply a tried and tested method with a hose available 'off the shelf', that is my current 'best advice...
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MCJW
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

It's been a busy week cleaning, painting and re-bushing and Nellie is progressing steadily! Just her second stub axle and shocker to paint tomorrow and then she'll be ready to have her drivers side built up! It's my first time replacing and reamering new bushes for the kingpins in the stubaxle and I've quite enjoyed doing it! There's also quite a lot of satisfaction out of cleaning up old parts with 40+ and 50+ years of dirt, rust and grime on them, and then giving them a fresh coat of paint!
I'm thoroughly enjoying her brake overhaul! And I've only got one scar/slice on my finger so far!
I'll keep you all updated as she progresses further!
Some more things cleaned up!
Some more things cleaned up!
IMG_2021.JPG (95.19 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Painted up
Painted up
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A selection of Nellies new parts!
A selection of Nellies new parts!
IMG_2020.JPG (170.82 KiB) Viewed 660 times
New backplate painted up
New backplate painted up
IMG_2022.JPG (158.8 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Stub axle cleaned up
Stub axle cleaned up
IMG_2024.JPG (155.61 KiB) Viewed 660 times
New bushes fitted
New bushes fitted
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Reamering the new bushes!
Reamering the new bushes!
IMG_2027.JPG (158.97 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Test fitting the kingpin
Test fitting the kingpin
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Stub axle painted up!
Stub axle painted up!
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Stub axle painted up!
Stub axle painted up!
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New Clipers
New Clipers
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Cleaned and painted up!
Cleaned and painted up!
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Cleaned and painted up!
Cleaned and painted up!
IMG_2033.JPG (145.86 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Second stub axle cleaned, new bushes fit and reamered and ready for a lick of paint!
Second stub axle cleaned, new bushes fit and reamered and ready for a lick of paint!
IMG_2034.JPG (102.43 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Working her new shocker from top to bottom
Working her new shocker from top to bottom
IMG_2035.JPG (109.26 KiB) Viewed 660 times
Working her new shocker from top to bottom
Working her new shocker from top to bottom
IMG_2036.JPG (101.09 KiB) Viewed 660 times
:cheers:
Matt Wood BSc (Hons)
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Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
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David Swain
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by David Swain »

If you are planning to fit your calipers to the front, then you will need to cut the backplate a little. There are photos on my Rev thread. Looks like you are doing a fantastic job. :thumbs:
David Swain. Member No. A1743
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Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk

A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
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gazza82
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by gazza82 »

Won't want to fit them to the front now then after all that lovely purple paint!

And those greenstuff pads .. you might want to consider something else ... the tales I've heard about them are not favourable.
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

Club WebEditor.

Cars: "Project 757" '59 A35 2-door bought in 1971 & Subaru BRZ SE LUX Auto plus "family fleet": Alfa MiTo, Peugeot 206, (Ex '98 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS)
MCJW
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

Cheers David! I didn't know that! I'll take a look anyway! However I am fitting them to the rear! And it's a good job now! Haha!

And thanks Gary! I have heard some stories about them squeeling (after I'd bought them may I add) so I'll have a think about what I'll do about them! Haha.

Thanks again Fellas
:thumbs:
:cheers:
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Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by gazza82 »

Try them but be prepared to buy something else .. Mintex or Ferodo have always been my favourite brands

PS I must admit to having a set in the garage but I was given them .. :whistle:
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by Big Daddy »

gazza82 wrote:And those greenstuff pads .. you might want to consider something else ... the tales I've heard about them are not favourable.
gazza82 wrote:Try them but be prepared to buy something else .. Mintex or Ferodo have always been my favourite brands
PS I must admit to having a set in the garage but I was given them .. :whistle:
Interesting comments from Gazza on Green Stuff pads. Would like to know more detail... :wave:

In recent years, we've used Mintex or EBC for track use: Mintex 1144 and 1155 have been fine. But the Rocket has EBC Blue Stuff which has worked extremely well under the most arduous conditions... :thumbs:

Interesting stuff... :whistle:
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by gazza82 »

Feedback from various forums .. Alfa, Mini, etc .. most reports on Greenstuff say they are very squealy and take some work to get them to stop well. I'm sure a lot of buyers just go for the "nice colour" ..
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

Club WebEditor.

Cars: "Project 757" '59 A35 2-door bought in 1971 & Subaru BRZ SE LUX Auto plus "family fleet": Alfa MiTo, Peugeot 206, (Ex '98 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS)
Big Daddy
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by Big Daddy »

gazza82 wrote:... most reports on Greenstuff say they >>> take some work to get them to stop well.
Thanks Gary :thumbs:

Is that due to slow bedding-in or pads reaching working temperature :?: Could be wrong application for the pad material... :whistle:
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MCJW
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

Got a little more done on Nellie last weekend, but as I'm now back at uni the pace has slowed down a little! however things will get done!
My dad spent last Saturday stripping off all of her old waxoyl from the inner wing, revealing some of her shiny paintwork and some red lead below!
He then re-applied a fresh coat of waxoyl!
Then on Sunday morning we did the first part of re-assembly! her bottom arm is now fit with new bushes, and her new shocker is now in place also!

More to come as we progress!
:cheers:
Old waxoyl cleaned off revealing shiny paintwork and red lead!
Old waxoyl cleaned off revealing shiny paintwork and red lead!
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New coat of waxoyl applied!
New coat of waxoyl applied!
IMG_2097.JPG (126.47 KiB) Viewed 601 times
IMG_2098.JPG
IMG_2098.JPG (183.97 KiB) Viewed 601 times
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IMG_2099.JPG (221.7 KiB) Viewed 601 times
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IMG_2101.JPG (146.58 KiB) Viewed 601 times
IMG_2100.JPG
IMG_2100.JPG (225.27 KiB) Viewed 601 times
IMG_2102.JPG
IMG_2102.JPG (162.11 KiB) Viewed 601 times
Matt Wood BSc (Hons)
Spares Co-Ordinator No.2
Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
Membership No. A1865
MCJW
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Re: NSJ 831 - Nellies Front Brake and Suspension Overhaul!

Post by MCJW »

Almost there with the drivers side!
Got the steering arm and stub axle fitted and shimmed up, spring back in, anti roll bar mount fitted and the back plate on! Just got the hub to mount to the disc and then fit! then she'll be ready for her caliper and pads fitting!
Then we will move onto the passenger side!
And we will probably be leaving the plumbing until after both sides are assembled!
Stub axle been fitted, steering arm bolted and lock tabbed on!
Stub axle been fitted, steering arm bolted and lock tabbed on!
IMG_2161.JPG (118.4 KiB) Viewed 569 times
Sub axle fully fitted and shimmed up
Sub axle fully fitted and shimmed up
IMG_2162.JPG (152.68 KiB) Viewed 569 times
Spring put back in
Spring put back in
IMG_2163.JPG (168.58 KiB) Viewed 569 times
Backplate fitted
Backplate fitted
IMG_2164.JPG (137.08 KiB) Viewed 569 times
All ready for Hub, Disc, Caliper and pads!
All ready for Hub, Disc, Caliper and pads!
IMG_2167.JPG (140.07 KiB) Viewed 569 times
ARB mounting fitted
ARB mounting fitted
IMG_2165.JPG (154.61 KiB) Viewed 569 times
All ready for Hub, Disc, Caliper and pads!
All ready for Hub, Disc, Caliper and pads!
IMG_2168.JPG (122.29 KiB) Viewed 569 times
IMG_2166.JPG
IMG_2166.JPG (153.91 KiB) Viewed 569 times
Matt Wood BSc (Hons)
Spares Co-Ordinator No.2
Tweed Grey 1959 4 Door A35 NSJ 831 (Nellie)
Membership No. A1865
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