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Title: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: cruiser056 on February 25, 2004, 07:26:04 AM Does anyone know the easiest way to use HR rims on an original FE drum brake front and rear.
Can HR drums fit onto FE brakes? I was going to change to a HR drum brake front end, but was wondering if anyone has been down this road before. Any help most appreciated. Paintman Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: Fast_Eddie on February 25, 2004, 09:45:40 AM Paintman,
Take the following as a guide, rather than gospel truth! FE-HR stud pattern, rim diametre and rim width are the same, however the offset differs between the models. Therefore the HR rims shall fit on the FE drums, but the track shall change slightly. I don't think you can mix and match drums alone between models. Items such as the brake line diametre ,wheel cylinders, handbrake mechanisms and brake shoe activation systems differ between the models. If you are contemplating a drum brake upgrade, EH is a better option for a marginal increase in braking efficiency, as you do not have to replace the crossmember, just the backing plates etc, outwards, front and rear (and maybe the brake lines) If you are changing over to a HR ball joint front end, you may as well go for discs, and upgrade the rear end to suit with HR bits, add a booster, change the master cylinder, and enjoy almost "modern car" braking abilities. To make it even more confusing/interesting, I recently noticed CRS lists a Torana disc brake conversion to early Holden king pin front ends in their catalogue. I've never seen it, nor have I talked to Rod Hadfield about exactly what the conversion entails, however it could be a cost effective way of upgrading the braking while sticking with the grey motor? Regards Ed Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: eric nolan on June 14, 2004, 06:58:08 PM i fitted hr rims to my brothers fb years ago and warped the brake drums,hr drums differ in there mating surface..i think ....it was years ago
Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: Dr_Terry on June 14, 2004, 08:45:09 PM Hi Guys.
The best brake upgrade, if you're not changing front crossmembers, is to fit EJ/EH kingpins & spindles & then use early HD (kingpin type) front brakes. These brakes are 1/2"wider than EJ/EH & a lot better than FE-EK. On the subject of rims, you can fit HR rims on FE to EH but cannot fit FE/EH rims on HD/HR. HD rims have the same offset as FE/EH but the hubcap ridge pokes out further & looks silly. HR rims with tiny hole (for ID) will increase you track by about 3/8". Regards. Dr Terry. Title: ..au.Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: Eric Nolan on June 15, 2004, 01:26:06 AM doc i think your wrong.........just a feeling........are fe-ek brake drums flat on the surface mating the wheel?
Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: 4hammers on June 15, 2004, 03:29:46 AM I doubt it, Eric. the Doc is never wrong. He knows his stuff. Look through all the previous posts.
RJ Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: cruiser056 on June 15, 2004, 04:43:43 AM G'day All
I am sorry to say but the Doc is incorrect, the HR rims do not fit on FE drums. The FE drums have small lugs between the holes for the wheel studs, thus the brake drum warps when driven. This is a well known fact. I solved my problem by using ROH black rims to suit early holdens. They have an indent for the lug on the FE drum. Sorry about that Doc, but I do appreciate the advice from all. Michael Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: Dr_Terry on June 15, 2004, 08:09:08 AM Hi Guys.
Yes I recall now, HD/HR wheels have no problems on EJ/EH but on FE to EK you have to use 5 small washers (the same height as the little bumps on the drum face) The washers are legal as they are not considered to be a full wheel spacer because the wheel is still contacting the drum. My main point of the post was that if you put FE/EH wheels on an HD/HR, the wheel only contacts the outer edge of the drum & pulls the centre out, far worse than HD/HR rims on an FE/EK. But, yes I will concede I was wrong, HD/HR rims don't fit straight onto an FE to EK. Regards. Dr Terry Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: 4hammers on June 15, 2004, 09:06:08 AM Hmph.
Well, I have to say I am sorry, Eric. I have watched with interest & taken a lot of what Dr Terry says on board. I was wrong this time. Sorry for doubting you. But I stand by my opinion that the Doc is definately a very knowledgable fella when it comes to this sort of stuff. Regards, Rob J Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: greyside on June 17, 2004, 09:26:47 AM the use of washers over wheel studs is poor engineering at best, no offence Doc
Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: greyside on June 17, 2004, 09:32:30 AM the use of washers over wheel studs is poor engineering at best, no offence Doc
Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: greyside on June 17, 2004, 09:35:41 AM computers are annoying creatures
Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: Dr_Terry on June 19, 2004, 08:51:39 AM Hi Guys.
Yes I agree, I wouldn't be using washers on any of my cars either. But others have done this & an engineer OK'd it (it was 20 years ago) as long as the washer fitted the stud properly & filled the gap between the bumps. The point is why bother fitting HD/HR rims when they look a bit silly & FE/EH rims a more plentiful anyway. Regards. Dr Terry. Title: Re: HR Rims on FE drum brakes Post by: cruiser056 on June 19, 2004, 07:20:00 PM Dr Terry,
I was putting HR rims on my FE because they were widened rims. But they ended up being ROH rims which actually suit early holdens, they were made to suit the bumps on the FE brake drum & also fit HR disc brake front end. Very appreciative for the info and the help. Have a good weekend. Michael |