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I finally decided to rebuild the front end of my 1969 oldsmobile 98 and got introduced to the mission of finding replacement rotors. I've purchased 2005 cts front rotors and plan on taking them to machine shop. Problem is im having a hard time fitting wilwood 120-10936 calipers. The calipers will go on just fine without the pads but with them on they won't seat far enough down to make the bolts line up to secure caliper. Has anyone ran into this problem? My current rotors measure 1.1125 thick and the cts rotors seem to be even thicker assuming my current rotors are under minimal thickness.
Wilwood makes two versions of that D52 caliper, one for the A-body 1" thick rotors and one for the B-body 1.25" thick rotors. The part number you listed is correct for the thicker rotors, but are you sure they didn't incorrectly put the 1" calipers in the wrong box?
I questioned if they sent the wrong calipers and had them send another pair and had the same outcome. I did notice the original calipes seem to be specific to right and left and the wilwood calipers have same part # for right and left. Could this be a sign the wilwoods won't work?
I questioned if they sent the wrong calipers and had them send another pair and had the same outcome. I did notice the original calipes seem to be specific to right and left and the wilwood calipers have same part # for right and left. Could this be a sign the wilwoods won't work?
Did you measure the space between the pads in the new calipers? The RH/LH difference is because of where the bleeder screw goes. The Wilwood calipers are the same part and they are able to just swap the bleeder screw and hose fitting for RH/LH
I just measure and the space between pads is pretty much the same distance but a different shape
Looks like those pistons aren't all the way back into the caliper housing. Keep in mind that brand new pads are thicker than worn ones. Ensure the pistons are pushed into the calipers.
Even with the inner pad removed and just the outer pad installed the caliper still won't drop in. I guess I could machine the outer pad down some but you shouldn't have to modify new pads.
There the pads that came with the calipers, I will reach out to wilwood to make sure there the correct pads. My hopes were they might offer a pad that's thinner
I spoke with Wilwood customer service and they said the calipers will not work with a floating rotor. They said they will only work with one piece rotors
I spoke with Wilwood customer service and they said the calipers will not work with a floating rotor. They said they will only work with one piece rotors
Is the caliper hitting on something? If you simply drop it over the rotor with no pads, does it go all the way down? It's hard to diagnose the problem from the limited info and photos you have posted.
"Is the caliper hitting on something? If you simply drop it over the rotor with no pads, does it go all the way down? It's hard to diagnose the problem from the limited info and photos you have posted"
If I drop it over with no pads or with just the inner pad it goes all the way down and everything lines up. When I try with the outer pad, the pad hits the rotor not leting the caliper move inwards enough to drop down.
"Is the caliper hitting on something? If you simply drop it over the rotor with no pads, does it go all the way down? It's hard to diagnose the problem from the limited info and photos you have posted"
If I drop it over with no pads or with just the inner pad it goes all the way down and everything lines up. When I try with the outer pad, the pad hits the rotor not leting the caliper move inwards enough to drop down.
That doesn't make any sense. The pads are the same for the Wilwood and the original calipers. Can you post a photo of what hits? Better yet, rather than playing 20 questions, how about posting a LOT of photos of the problem.
In this picture with no pads installed or just the inner pad the caliper goes on perfect. In the two areas circled the caliper drops all the way down and caliper is flesh with bracket.
In these pictures with the outer pad installed the caliper won't drop down into bracket. It appears the outer brake pad is hitting the rotor not letting the caliper move any more to the left. Note in first picture above where the two half's of the caliper come together. If this isn't in the open area of the bracket the caliper won't drop down and the mounting holes don't line up
Last edited by 69olds98; Sep 27, 2024 at 07:36 PM.
If I tilt the caliper so the top hole lines up then the bottom hole is off in this picture. If grinding the spindle is the solution looks like it would need to happen at the bottom.
It looks like it's hitting in this area circled. Maybe I can just grind this area down?
Yes, that is the problem. When you leave the pad out, the caliper fits over that bracket because it isn't in the correct position relative to the bracket. The original single piston caliper is narrower there, the dual pistons obviously are wider. Simple grinding will solve this. That's not the spindle, it's just the bolt-on caliper bracket. The other thing to note is that the caliper moves away from that bracket as the pads wear, so you don't have to go wild when grinding. And I'll also point out that as I noted above, Wilwood's tech line response on this was completely wrong. This has nothing to do with the rotors. Again, I'm sure they've never even seen a full size Olds with disc brakes. These particular D52 calipers were sized to fit the half-ton GM full size pickups.
Yes, that is the problem. When you leave the pad out, the caliper fits over that bracket because it isn't in the correct position relative to the bracket. The original single piston caliper is narrower there, the dual pistons obviously are wider. Simple grinding will solve this. That's not the spindle, it's just the bolt-on caliper bracket. The other thing to note is that the caliper moves away from that bracket as the pads wear, so you don't have to go wild when grinding. And I'll also point out that as I noted above, Wilwood's tech line response on this was completely wrong. This has nothing to do with the rotors. Again, I'm sure they've never even seen a full size Olds with disc brakes. These particular D52 calipers were sized to fit the half-ton GM full size pickups.
Thank you! I only had to gring a small amount on the bottom and the caliper goes right in now.
I just have to say this thread shows everything right about this community. Someone presented a problem and everyone chipped in with good suggestions. Nobody went off the deep end on anyone and the problem got resolved.
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This is just like it would have happened with your buddies in a garage late at night on a weekend with 6 pack. WELL DONE!
