How to: Supra MA70 rear discs to Hilux

[infotechplus]

This how to has its origins in the thread http://www.toymods.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2766 where gianttomato has made up some adapter brackets to fit the rear discs from the MA70 Supra to the Hilux axles.

The calipers and rotors were easy enough to remove but the backing plate took an extra effort in that we had to dismantle the whole rear end (someone had already taken the diff leaving the axles hanging) and belt out the axles and bearings with the help of a camshaft and towball that were lying nearby

The brake pads that were in the calipers were well shot so I figured if they were going to charge me for the complete package I'd at least get a better set of pads. Going to one of the Cressida MX73s further along the line I found an all but new set of pads.



I disconnected the handbrake cable from the backing plate and also dismantled the hand brake shoes so as not to damage anything when removing the backing plate. I put everything into an ice-cream container so as not to lose anything.

The rotors looked in reasonably good nick but I haven't run a ruler over them yet to check thickness.







The calipers looked to be in serviceable condition too:







Here are the backing plates:



Continued ...

[infotechplus]

I picked up another two sets of brake pads that still had plenty of meat on them.

Brake Pads

The MA70 caliper takes a DB413 brake pad. These can be found on the Supra Turbo MA71 (April 1989 - 1993), Soarer (1985 - 1988), and 1985 - 1988 Cressida GLXi, GLi and MX73.

The three sets of brake pads I got were made by Bendix (DB413), Firepower (FDB413) and Protex (DB413P). Here they are side by side:





The Bendix pads did not have the backing plate and anti squeal plate that the Protex and Firepower pads had. Also the Bendix catalog shows the only pad without a central groove as Ultimates, but I'm unable to confirm this at this point in time.



The shoes may need replacing as they look fairly worn:





My plan is to take the shoes, plates, rotors and calipers and sandblast them clean, give the backing plates a coat or two of gloss black, the rotors' non-contact surfaces some gold paint and the calipers painted with Septone Brake Caliper paint (either red or blue). I've organised for the backing plates and rotors to be machined on their inner circle diameter too. Then its off to have the rotors skimmed lightly to true up the surface.

I didn't pick up any Hiace axle bearing studs as I plan on using high tensile cap screws to hold everything together.

That's it for now. The sandblasting should be done some time next week.

Cheers,

[infotechplus]

The shoes may need replacing as they look fairly worn:

I measured the thickness of the shoe material and the specs say 2.0mm new, and these were very close to that, so all good in that department. No need to replace.

Cheers,

[Shifty]

Look forward to seeing this progress with a good run-down on specifics and with pics. Doing the same myself in the next couple of months (if we ever get another run of those brackets GT? ) so looking to avoid any headaches/surprises

[Robbos_Toyotas]

this is not as easy as you think either, ive just completed it. You need custom handbrake lines as the hilux one is dramatically different. also, think seriously about how to adapt the hub carrier to the supra backing plate - theres a couple of ways to do it.

[gianttomato]

Er, you machine the backing plate to the diameter of the bearing carrier. One of the holes lines up. Drill the others into the backing plate. Bolt up. Enjoy stock setup.
As for the handbrake cables, Hilux has two different setups. One works perfectly, the other is rather different.

[infotechplus]

this is not as easy as you think either, ive just completed it. You need custom handbrake lines as the hilux one is dramatically different. also, think seriously about how to adapt the hub carrier to the supra backing plate - theres a couple of ways to do it.

So it's a challenge then!

When you say, custom handbrake cables, you had someone make some up? If so, would that require a specialist? Or is it just that the end of the cable needs modifying?

Furthermore, when fitting the Supra backing plate to the Hilux hub. Do the four bolts line up? Or is it you have to enlarge the holes?

I suppose all will reveal itself when I get to that task. But any more light you can shed on this would help more than just me, I'm sure. Photos perhaps Robbo?

I did go to Pick 'n' Payless yesterday afternoon to grab the longer bolts from the rear of an Hiace van. Pre-in-sanity was kind enough to provide some guidance there. Thanks to him for that. +rep

Cheers,

[infotechplus]

Er, you machine the backing plate to the diameter of the bearing carrier. One of the holes lines up. Drill the others into the backing plate. Bolt up. Enjoy stock setup.
As for the handbrake cables, Hilux has two different setups. One works perfectly, the other is rather different.

That's what i thought. I can get the opening enlarged without too much trouble, and drilling three new holes should be within my feeble mechanical skills.

Cheers, gianttomato. +rep to you too (and how's my adapter set coming along? )

Peter

[gianttomato]

If you have a problem with handbrake cable, suggest something like KE70 cable. Works a treat. Hiace ones are also very handy and may work better with your Hilux.

[infotechplus]

gianttomato: Thanks for that tip. I'll keep it in mind.

Here are some measurements and assorted info I have managed to gather so far.

The Hilux hub has a centre diameter of 67mm. According to the dba catalog for brake drums (p.14) most Toyota commercial vehicles share this measurement including Hiace, 2WD Hilux RN10, 20, 30, 40, 41, 85, 90 and LN 30, YN5# and SR5.



Also note that the five wheel studs line up exactly and has been noted elsewhere in this Forum, even the grub screw hole lines up. So after machining the MA70 hub it will fit directly onto the Hilux axle.

Most passenger vehicles inc. Celica (not ST162), Corolla KE Series (not AE82, AE90, AE95 4WD), Cressida MX32, MX36, MX62 Sedan and Wagon, and the T-18 Liftback all have a hub with 60mm centre diameter.



The backing plate measurements are as noted in the pic below:



Other relevant information courtesy of "pure-in-sanity" (give him some rep )

"With the centre hole in the backing plate - I think it varies amongst Supras and Soarers. Reason being - first time I did this conversion I had to open up the backing plates a couple millimeters. Second set that I did required no machining which was strange??

But I filed the first set and all seemed ok, just go around with long even strokes and use a good round file.

You'll have to grind some material off the piece that supports the pivot pin in the backing plate."

Cheers,

Peter

[Norbie]

Interesting. I noticed when I did the 5-stud conversion on my MA61 that the centre hole was different on the rear hubs; MA61 is 60mm and MS123 is 67mm. I thought 60mm was for 4-stud and 67mm was for 5-stud but the above info seems to contradict that!

[Robbos_Toyotas]

So it's a challenge then!

When you say, custom handbrake cables, you had someone make some up? If so, would that require a specialist? Or is it just that the end of the cable needs modifying?

Furthermore, when fitting the Supra backing plate to the Hilux hub. Do the four bolts line up? Or is it you have to enlarge the holes?

I suppose all will reveal itself when I get to that task. But any more light you can shed on this would help more than just me, I'm sure. Photos perhaps Robbo?

I did go to Pick 'n' Payless yesterday afternoon to grab the longer bolts from the rear of an Hiace van. Pre-in-sanity was kind enough to provide some guidance there. Thanks to him for that. +rep

Cheers,

on the yn57 it needs new cables made.
What i was talking about was the supra backing plate - the 4 holes are not even close. As i said, theres a couple of ways you can do this.
What you are talkina bout gt, is the hole where the disc goes on the hub, and yes its as simple as machining it up to the right size.

[gianttomato]

Yep, machine central hole to the bearing hub carrier. Then one of the stud holes lines up. You then have the arduous task of drilling 3 holes. Very challenging......

[Robbos_Toyotas]

its rather time consuming if you want to do it "properly" i used the ma70 longer studs, drilled new holes and machined out where the hand brake attaches to accept the stud head, i also had to cut and shut where the handbrake goes through to clear my calliper bracket.

[gianttomato]

Yep, you use Hiace axle retaining studs like I originally mentioned. Not sure what you did otherwise - I did none of that.