shone190

Few days ago I bought new front pads but I have a "little" problem. There is no way to insert inner pad between caliper mounting bracket and rotor!?!? You can see problem in picture below, with marked red circle where is the problem.
There is no free space for new brake pad so I put new front pads on rear and use old rear pads and grind inner pad for 2/3 so I can put it in front
My car is Pontiac Trans Am GTA 1988 350cid in case that is important.

Is there a possibility that someone before change something or put something wrong and what can I do to solve this problem?

Thank you all in advance.

lonesomeloser

Did you compress the piston back in? If not, then you have to compress the piston back into the caliper to make room for the thickness of the new pad. I use a basic C-clamp. If it won't compress, the piston may need some lubrication around it since they are a little rusty.

shone190

I just solved the problem I went to my friend who has one Firebird for parts and I took of his rotor, the difference is obvious. So, someone is changed stock rotor and put some with different offset!?!?

Here is a picture of my "new" rotor (left picture), and old "wrong" rotor (right picture).

JERRYWHO

Take a look at the outer bearing numbers (ones on the car and new rotors) and make sure both are the same. What it looks like to me is the old rotors are cut down 1LE rotors. 1LE rotors have a larger outer bearing (both use the same spindle) and the 1LE rotors are larger diameter (12 vs 10.5), if you look at the first picture the center rib is machined flat with the O.D. of the rotor like someone turned them down from 12 to 10.5. also look at wear marks from the pads looks like the rotor is a 1/4 bigger then needed. The 1LE rotors are different off set then the std rotors and that will be a reason for the pad free space problem or you just may have some p.o.s. aftermarket rotors. But look at the outer wheel bearing size to make sure.

Jerry

JERRYWHO

Also look at the space from the dust cover to the wheel mounting surface. The 1LE hubs are shorter then the std rotors. 1LE rotors will make your car wider in the front so when you change back to the std rotors you will see the tires are tucked in about 5/16 more. again look at the outer wheel bearing numbers.

Jerry

shone190

OK, I'll take a look and tell you what's really happened with old rotors

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

The following may be helpful:

A6 Inner bearing set (Standard and 1LE)
A3 Outer bearing set. This is the 1LE which is different from the standard bearing (A34) as it has a larger OD.

(National) M12610, the inner LM67010.

The 1LE rotor can be seen in my vbGarage (lower left).

JamesC