metro vented discs on 12 mini set up

[monkeyjim]

spoken to a couple of club members recently about fitting metro (1980 to 1991) vented discs and which parts are required off what car.
I started this conversion on the mk1 before deciding the wheels would stick out to far. That was a few years ago now but I had the details in mind, never the less I confirmed a couple of things with Andy at ML Motorsport.

I am not going on about fitting metro hubs as these affect the steering/suspension geometry. We are not including 7.5 Cooper S set up or Fiesta conversions in this topic.
But.....If converting the 12 inch Mini set up to 10 inch wheels only a suitable 4 pot caliper will be reqiured , (longer caliper fixing bolts may also be required) the disc will require machining from 8.4 to 7.9 or 7.5 inches depending on the caliper used... this is the same whether fitting vented or soild discs, obviously providing they are in good condition if have your existing solid 8.4 inch disc machined down and fit a 4 pot soild type caliper the conversion will be cheaper than buying vented discs.
This is the set up I have on my mk1.
10 inch wheels
soild 8.4 mini disc machined to 7.9
Mini sport 4 pots

If converting from drums you will need
2x mini disc hubs,
2x mini outer drive shaft joints for a disc equipped car . The drum brake outer cv is differant.
2x mini disc brake drive flanges.
4x caliper fixing bolts .
8x Metro drive flange to disc fixing bolts.
2x Vented Metro calipers
1x pad set .
1x Metro to Mini front brake hose conversion kit.

If converting from the standard 12inch wheel 8.4 inch Mini disc set up you will need your existing bits plus :

2x Vented discs.
8x Metro drive flange to disc retaining bolts.
2x Metro vented calipers
1x Metro to Mini brake hose conversion kit.
1x pad set
and that is it.

Only use your existing Mini brake master cylinder.

Things to save time :

Metros have 2 brake hoses on each caliper, Minis have 1. Do not waste time trying to plumb the Metro brake pipes and brake hoses in the system, just buy the hose conversion kit. The original rubber hoses will be past there best anyway.
The Metro drive flanges have lugs on them that help to locate the wheel, this can cause a Mini wheel fitment problem. The lugs can be removed.
None of this is nessesary, use the Mini drive flange. The 4 holes on each flange will need enlarging a tiny amount enabling the Metro drive flange to disc retaining bolts to be used, I have done this, it is a easy job.. Could not remember the drill size , Andy at ML tells me its a 10mm drill bit thats required.

Obviously you need to make sure all parts are in good condition, including wheel bearings , swivels , hub nuts , split collar washers and ever other component used in the disc/drive set up.
Observe safety , Use axle stands and trolley jacks while working underneath a car etc etc and if you are not a competant mechanic dont do it.

Hope this has been usefull

Dave

[MiniGT5]

Nice One Dave.

Maybe we should create a technical reference section to put this in when other people have finished reading it

N

[monkeyjim]

ok neil. It answeres all the questions you and BILL had I hope.
d

[annon]

bit of a long way round, i have fitted the whole lot many times, would not even think about turning down discs when new ones are only 8-00 quid each

[monkeyjim]

Discs can be found for £8.00. What size are you talking about .
Think you have got refacing and turning down mixed up .
You cannot fit something 8.4 inch wide into a 7.9 inch hole. Minisport advised me the discs need to be 7.9 to fit with the 4 pots.
d

[annon]

metro vented come from the turbo and not that easy to come by, which is why i don't use these, i have seen but never tryed it and not telling any one here to do it but several have ground down the calliper to give clearance to fit a 10 in wheel and it has worked.

[monkeyjim]

See where your coming from with the ground down caliper situation and I did consider mentioning it but for the same reason I said nothing about the Fiesta conversion I thought it safer to stick to 'bolt on' conversions as skills levels in the club vary as do the cars. Some have big brakes already and some have drums with fibre washers on the wheel studs to space the wheel out !
I tried grinding some years ago in a attempt to get 8.4 inch calipers behind genuine 'S' rim's. Needless to say despite grinding carefully I broke into the brake fluid driiling. Maybe due to the fact there is a lot of metal on the inside of a 'S' rim compared to other 10 inch wheels therefore requiring more metal to be removed from the caliper to get them to fit.
Regarding Metro vented discs I am aware of the turbo discs but never had a turbo. I have scrapped MK1 Metro's ( W to B registrations) and MK2 Metro's ( B reg to H reg) and found with the exception of Turbo that I know was vented and maybe the MG, the MK1's had solid discs.
All the mk2's I have scrapped had vented discs, that includes the 998's. There may be a overlap period when early mk2's used up the stock of solid brakes but apart from that I am quite happy that all 84 to 91 Metros were vented.
Therefore vented discs should be readily available from a motor factor as they were fitted to all mk2 Metro's..

For car parts I can recommend a , Motor factor in Newhaven called Autolec who keep ferodo brake parts, speak to Fred on 514668 or they have a branch in Finmere road Eastbourne. As a trade customer we use Autolec daily.

You have not said how your brake conversions differ from any of the tried and tested methods already listed.
D

[minimole]

never had a problem getting vented disks got my last set from minisport. got mintec pads and vented discs for 30 quid.

i am temped to do the fiesta caliper conversion it is actually fairly simple but you have to get custom hoses made up.

[monkeyjim]

there is a company in Newhaven called Southern Hydraulics or something like that who are situated on a industrial estate next to the Travis Perkins yard you can see when you go over the Newhaven flyover.
If you were to take the correct mini and festa brake hose ends and the bore of hose you want as patterns he should be able to make a pair of hoses up.
D

[Simon1275mpi]

monkeyjim said:

Regarding Metro vented discs I am aware of the turbo discs but never had a turbo. I have scrapped MK1 Metro's ( W to B registrations) and MK2 Metro's ( B reg to H reg) and found with the exception of Turbo that I know was vented and maybe the MG, the MK1's had solid discs.
All the mk2's I have scrapped had vented discs, that includes the 998's. There may be a overlap period when early mk2's used up the stock of solid brakes but apart from that I am quite happy that all 84 to 91 Metros were vented.
Therefore vented discs should be readily available from a motor factor as they were fitted to all mk2 Metro's..

Mini wise the ERA turbo was the only mini to have vented twin pots as standard.

From the mk2 metros they should of as standard been vented twin pots. 1.3, MG & Turbo, Luxury one, They all were vented from expirience (Never bothered looking at a 1ltr). I have seen vented brakes on most metros at scrap yards so they are still up for grabs.

[annon]

the bit that confused me was that you do not use the hubs as this affects steering and suspension geometry?

[monkeyjim]

oh yeah , you can use the Metro hubs but as I say the likes of Keith Calver and the other Mini gurus advise against it for the reason you have mentioned.
If I remember rightly the purchase of new MK1 (1980-1984) Metro swivels which are similar to the Mini ones is recommended if using the Metro hubs.
Obviously if a car is already fitted with the 8.4 inch disc set up the Metro hubs will not be required anyway irrespective of the disc/caliper used..
dave

[annon]

i allways replace swivels as they are so cheap, a trick i was shown and use on swivels is with fine valve grinding paste lap them in clean shim and grease and you wont have to reshim or replace for years just keep them greased, just thought i would mention that for anyone interested not so hot myself on metro couldn't stand them to many bits don't fit mini for me

[monkeyjim]

Some years ago I used to keep all sorts of bits from Metro's I scrapped. Such as all the front brakes , seats if Mg style, engine and radiator.
These days I only keep the engine.
If any one wants something of a Metro other than the engine let me know. Next time I scrap one I will keep the bits for you.
d

[MiniGT5]

I'd like a metro TURBO! if ever you come accross one ;D

It has been 14 months now scince I have seen one for sale locally for £1000 I thought that was too expensive but they are getting rare (And EXPENSIVE) now

Keep em peeled!

N