Race Car Tech Discuss anything related to road racing and auto X.

Small vs large bearing spindle and hub-rotor choice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2012 | 08:45 PM
  #1  
jswisc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Small vs large bearing spindle and hub-rotor choice

I have an 83' ITA RX-7. What type of spindles do most of you guy run? I know Brembo makes a hub/rotor for the large bearing spindle. I have small bearing spindles and I'm putting on "Power-Slot" hub-rotors from Tire Rack. They're rated autox/track. Anybody try these yet? I have a pair of large bearing spindles I may switch to this winter so I can use the Brembos.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 06:46 AM
  #2  
jswisc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
While replacing my hub/rotors I removed the outer race and found a machined spacer in between the race and it's seat. About a 1/4" machined spacer. Anybody ever see that? I can't find it on any parts list
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 01:07 PM
  #3  
orion84gsl's Avatar
My 7 is my girlfriend.
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
The bigger nearing spindles are supposed to be stronger. Should be since there's more material there to take the stress and heat. Those races come with the replacement bearings. Not sold separately.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 04:05 PM
  #4  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Before spending big bucks on rotors, consider this:

4 or 5 years ago, I replaced all for rotors on my daily driver/autocrosser. I bought the cheapest rotors available at Rockauto.com and added Hawk HP pads. Performance is great, and I haven't had a single issue.

Just a thought.



.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 05:17 PM
  #5  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
On something seeing road courses for a 1st gen that's nooooot a good idea. OP is in Wisconsin, which includes Road America. The 1st gen rotors are known to sometimes crack, especially under roadracing punishment with sticky tires and tiny stock size rotors, as required in Improved Touring. This crack can migrate to the portion that holds the bearing, which can cause the wheel to fall off. Now imagine this happening around the kink at around a hundred miles per hour. It's why EProd lets the 1st gens have an aftermarket, separate hub and rotor.

Big bearing spindles just have better availability of parts. It's worth your while to swap over sooner or later.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 12:14 AM
  #6  
Josh18_2k's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 1
From: Gresham, OR
blank rotors are best for track. well, best for everythng except car shows lol. all that slot/hole crap is just marketing (unless you have asbestos pads...)

Napa rotors seem to have a good rep, and of course Brembo does. Either way, if a rotor is $20 you wont cry when it cracks. Run good ducting if you want your brakes to work on track, autox doesnt matter.

And if you are planning to race, definately go with larger bearings. bearings wear fast on track.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 01:00 PM
  #7  
jswisc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Thanks for the replies. Switched to the large strut/bearing w/ Brembo's. Struts are the next issue. I'm going to install 2" strut tubes in the spindle body to accommodate 8610 koni's. I've found it difficult finding tokico adjustables. All on back order. Mustanghammer gave me the idea. Will try and do it before Road America in August.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 01:55 PM
  #8  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,837
Likes: 3,234
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
the big spindle is a good upgrade, but you still need to inspect the rotor and bearings after each event. you're looking for cracks in the hub.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2012 | 05:06 PM
  #9  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Originally Posted by Kenku
On something seeing road courses for a 1st gen that's nooooot a good idea. OP is in Wisconsin, which includes Road America. The 1st gen rotors are known to sometimes crack, especially under roadracing punishment with sticky tires and tiny stock size rotors, as required in Improved Touring. This crack can migrate to the portion that holds the bearing, which can cause the wheel to fall off. Now imagine this happening around the kink at around a hundred miles per hour. It's why EProd lets the 1st gens have an aftermarket, separate hub and rotor.

Big bearing spindles just have better availability of parts. It's worth your while to swap over sooner or later.
Hmm, could be a good point, so I will defer to your experience. Although, I have taken the car to DGRR twice, and know for a fact that the rotors got a hell of a workout on the Midnight runs up and down the mountain. She's also seen a few hotlaps at Road Atlanta.

Also, I forgot to mention that when the rotors showed up, they did have the Brembo name on them (although I believe there are many counterfeits out there).

I definitely agree that slots/drilled rotors are for show. Very old brake pads suffered from a type of gas buildup between the pads/rotors, which led to the developement of slots and holes, but they are not necessary for any modern (post '90s) brake pad which to not "out-gas" like the old stuff.

Good luck, and have fun.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
Sep 16, 2018 07:16 PM
Ian_D
Single Turbo RX-7's
25
Oct 14, 2015 12:31 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 PM.