Frequent Asked Brake Questions

Question: I see that Wilwood is now coating the rotors black, why not zinc?
Answer: I have mix feelings about the new "black" rotors, they say the black coating improve break in time on the new rotors with a break in distance of about 30 miles. After that the rotors will be same as a seasoned zinc rotor. Since the zinc rotors are no long available, we have no choice.

Question: Does this include everything I need?
Answer: It includes everything for both front spindles, everything from bearings and seals to rotors and calipers. The kit will have new bearings, seals, rotors, rotor adapters, vented rotors, anodized black aluminum calipers, anodized black aluminum caliper brackets, disc brake pads, billet aluminum hubs, aluminum dust caps, 1.75" studs and all necessary hardware for you to install this kit on your stock spindles. You will need to replace your master cylinder if you currently have a drum/drum application. Master cylinder run between $50-$200 depending on application. You will also need a proportional valve and stainless steel flexible brake lines which comes free with our front brake kits. We will provide you with 16" or 18" brake lines, 1/8NPT x -3 straight for the caliper, 3/8IF x -3 or 10mm IF x -3 and frame clips for the adapter to the frame. Some applications require a 45 degree or 90 degree these parts are available at your local parts store from Earl's, Aeroquip or Russell. If your car requires different length hoses or adapters we will gladly exchange them but, you will have to pay for the shipping charges.

Question: What is the biggest rotor I can use?
Answer: As a rule of thumb you will need subtract 4 inches from your wheel size. Cars prior to 1968 have steel wheels not designed for disc brake calipers, most of these cars used 9" or 10" drum brakes with 14" or 15" rims. These early wheel had the centers welded to the rim behind face of the hub (where your wheel bolts on) where new wheels are welded so it is in front of the hub. If you are using early wheels or wheels made this way you will have to use the 4" clearance rule.
     10.75" rotor - 14"+ wheels;
     11.00" rotor - 15"+ wheels;
     11.75" rotor - 15"+ aluminum wheels;
     12.19" rotor - 16"+ aluminum wheels:
     12.90" rotor - 17"+ aluminum wheels;

Question: What type of brake lines do I get with my kit?
Answer: We provide the same type of brake lines other companies like Heidts, Kugel, TCI, Wilwood, Pete and Jakes, Kugel, and other companies selling brake kits and front end conversations.

Question: Will I have to buy spindles to use this kit?
Answer: Wilwood has designed their kits to use the stock spindle. The caliper bracket will generally not work with drop spindle unless they maintain the same configuration as the stock spindle. Most Mustang II drop spindles will work with the Wilwood front brake kits as the mounting of the caliper is the same as stock. Sometimes there will need to be modification to the spindle, this generally will entail drilling out a hole to larger size or minor grinding in a non-structural area. For additional information installation please feel free to down load the instructions by typing www.hotrodheaven.com/store/brakes/pdf/ then add the Wilwood part number after the pdf/. Example: The Camaro kit uses a 140-2285 (140-2285b is the same) just type 140-2285.pdf, so the url would be www.hotrodheaven.com/store/brakes/pdf/140-2285.pdf
Our Zero Offset Brake Kit for the Early Mustang requires the 71-73 disc brake spindles only because the drum brake spindles does not have the correct mounting holes to push the bracket 1" further inward.

Question: What is a "Zero Offset Brake Kits"?
Answer: Our Zero Offset Brake Kits are special kits we have designed using 100 percent Wilwood parts except for the caliper bracket. Most brackets are mounted to the face of the spindle, our Zero Offset Brake brackets are mounted behind the face of the spindle which allows the hub at stock or slightly behind stock location. The benefit is you will not have to buy special offset wheels and you can retain the hot rod reverse rim look.

Question: Is this kit for racing only and DOT approved?
Answer: There is not such thing as a DOT approved after market brake kit. No manufacturer or vendor will give you a written letter with that certification on it. The big difference Wilwood states that these are for racing only to limit their liability. Wilwood is one of the few companies that make brake kits for the Winston Cup Cars. No manufacturer will provide you will a DOT certification in writing. Why? Because there is no such thing, just ask Baer, Gobal West or Stainless Steel Brakes to provide you with this certification in writing.

The heavy duty kit is designed for both street and racing application. Vented rotors are used on applications over 2,500 pounds. The front rotors are usually 10.75" (the Mustang and some kits have a 11.75") to accommodate smaller diameter tires and to clear your stock steering arms and A-Arms. Rear rotors are 12.19" as there are no steering components involved. The heavy duty kits have use a .810" thick rotor, which is more efficient then OEM 1" rotor. OEM rotors have the hub incorporated in the design to save money (they can be cast one piece). The separate rotor displaces the heat evenly and more efficiently. Wilwood is now starting to manufacture a super heavy duty kit with 13"x1.25" rotors and the Superlite six piston calipers.

Question: What does DOT approved mean?
Answer: What does DOT approved brakes mean?
     There is no such thing as DOT (Department of Transportation) approved brake components. They do not certify or approve components. When a brake manufacturer or seller claims their product is "DOT approved", the claim is false.
     The only components regulated by DOT are:
          Brake hoses
          Brake fluid
          Tires
          Exterior Lamps
     (A manufacturer using the DOT symbol on the above products signifies that the manufacturer has "self certified" that the product meets FMVSS standards)
     New vehicles must comply with certain government standards. The controlling document for standards is the "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard", or FMVSS. Brake performance is covered under FMVSS sections 105 and 135. Vehicle manufacturers certify, either through self-certification or independent certification, that their vehicles comply with the standards.
     Brake components, like many other vehicle components, are generally the way they are as a result of performance, cost, manufacturer preference, and sometimes, tradition! Materials, features (anti-rattle, anti-squeal, dust boots, fixed mount, sliding mount, piston count, etc.) and finish are not dictated by DOT

Question: Are the brake lines supplied in your kit DOT approved?
Answer: No, we buy our brake lines from Earls and other brake lines suppliers, just like all other companies. TCI (Total Cost Involved), Heidts, Fatman, Super Bell, Scott's, Chassis Engineering, Master Power Brakes, Stainless Steel Brakes, Baer and most companies sell the same brake lines. Unless the brake lines are certified DOT approved they are not DOT approved.
We do have DOT certified brake lines and they are available for an upgrade charge of $50 for 2 lines. These can be purchased on our web site by going to http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/brakelines.html

Question: What bolt pattern does this brake kit have?
Answer: All Wilwood front kits are dual drilled with 4.5" and 4.75" bolt patterns unless it is a special application 4 lug Mustang. The kit will come with 1.75" studs with optional 3" studs to meet NHRA specs. The rear kits are drill 4.5", 4.75" and 5".

Question: Can I upgrade?
Answer: Of course you can. You can upgrade to any other option Wilwood offers such as drilled rotors and polished calipers.

Question: What cable do I need to use when installing the Wilwood rear disc brake kit?
Answer: We sell a emergency cable kit that is a "cut to fit". The cost is $100.00 includes all fittings, cable and instructions. To order this cable go to our secured site www.hotrodheaven.com

Question: Do you have a kit for my 63-64 Corvette?
Answer: Yes, we have a front kit made by Wilwood part number 140-5329 uses 11.75" rotors with the Dynalite 4 Piston Calipers. I will have a 11.75", 12.19" and a 12.90" rotor kit for the front with Dynalite, Forged Superlite and Superlite 6 piston calipers. Our kits does not move the wheels out in front. I also have a kit for the rear of the 63-82 Corvette it uses a Wilwood internal park brake assembly. This kit is available using the Dynalite 4 piston or the Billet Superlite 4 which is 9.44" long vs 7.01" on the Dynalite. Rear Brake Kits.

Question: Is it safe to use steel wheels with these brakes?
Answer: Wilwood offers a shield part number 300-7500 for use with steel wheels. Cost is less then $15. each.

Question: Do I need a distribution block for my master cylinder?
Answer: No. Distribution blocks were designed for factory cars to meet a specific need for a specific car. Each car from the factory has different weight distribution, braking characteristics and tires. Think of it this way, "did GM make one distribution block for every single car they built?" If the answer is no, how can you buy a distribution block made for "universal" application? Waste of money! Just buy an adjustable proportional valve and route it inline on the rear brakes.

Question: What is a green bearing with snap ring?
Answer: The term "green bearing" comes from the "Green Bearing Company". All the older Mopar's and Dana rear ends had a spacer in between the axles and was pre-loaded from the passenger side. All the green bearing does is converts the rear housing to a "retainer" type where a retainer is used to hold the axle in place. This is common on GM & FMC housings. You should be able to purchase the green bearing from your local bearing supplier in your city. The part number is ST400. If you still can not find this bearing would be glad to purchase it and send it to you.

Question: What size booster can I use on my car?
Answer: In this case you want the bigger the better, especially if you are running a big cam. Big cams = low vacuum. But, if you use to big of a booster and to small of a master cylinder you will have to much brakes. So depending on the amount of vacuum your motor can pull will determine the booster size and master cylinder. I would recommend dual diaphragms with low vacuum. Little or no vacuum forget it, just stick with a manual system. To determine the size that will fit on your fire wall just cut out some circles with the diameter you are shooting for. Place them on your fire wall and see which ones you can get your valve covers off. The last thing you want is to have to remove the master cylinder to take your valve covers off. Consult your brake person on the volume requirements of your calipers. OEM calipers use large amounts of brake fluid.

Question: I have a fairly large cam and no brakes I saw a product on shade tree mechanic about two summers ago about a electric vacuum pump can some tell me where i can get one and the name of it?
Answer: Having a large camshaft is common in hotrods. Most of the power booster require 16-18 inches of vacuum to operate. The electric vacuum pump and vacuum canister cost between $350 and $450 depending on where you buy it. Click on this hyperlink and it will take you to the page on power boosters. It will explain to you about power boosters.
Our Solution: We use dual master cylinders that have an output of over 1,300 psi. This is the same technology that has been used for over 30 years. No power booster is required, no proportional valve and no residual valves on disc brake applications. Also allows for additional room for your brake system.

Question: Want to change to disc brakes on my 55 Chev, I understand there is a kit that uses GM rotors.
Answer: Yes there are numerous kits available that use the GM rotor and caliper. They sell for $300 to $750 depending on who you buy it from. They generally use 70-77 Chevelle rotors and calipers with a fabricated steel bracket. You will need to convert your master cylinder and use a power booster with this system.
Our Solution: Buy a Wilwood disc brake kit. This offers you the billet aluminum hubs and separate rotor which not only is good looking, it displaces the heat and will out perform the cast iron setup. The 4 piston calipers also requires less volume and less pressure. The additional cost for the best is less than $300 more.

Question: How quickly can I get this shipped?
Answer: Normal delivery is 2 to 3 weeks. We do not stock any brake kits and all of the rear kits are specially made for us and not available through other Wilwood dealers. For this inconvenience offer you free shipping, free adjustable proportional valve, free brake lines (front kits only) and/or Wilwood 570 Hi-Temp brake fluid or emergency brake cable kit (rear brake kits). This value can range from $125 to $350. Items other then the brake kit will be shipped from our Vancouver, Washington warehouse. Sorry we can not ship any sooner then this time frame and we owe it to our other customers not to have someone placed in front of their order. You can request expedited service for a fee of $40 per brake kit and your order will be expedited and shipped within 2-5 days. Please remember you are ordering from the person that wrote the brake article, which will be able to assist you with technical questions and not a person looking your part up on a computer that does not know the why's and why not's.

If you would like more information on brakes use the drop down button on the right. If there are question, concerns or comments please feel free to e-mail me at moonmr@hotrodsusa.com or call me at 888 875 6666. We generally can assist you with all your braking needs.

Remember here at Hotrodheaven and Hot Rods USA we say: "Run Your Own Race"®

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