Hello all, and a question

[jsax420]

Hello to everyone!
I am the proud owner of Scorpion #1296, which I am currently fixing up to be roadworthy, and I am wondering if anyone has run into the same problem I have encountered with the rear brakes.
First of all, let me set the stage by saying that I have just owned the car since last Christmas, and before that it had sat in storage in an airplane hanger in So Cal for twenty years! Also I must mention that it appears as though some VERY POOR work was done on the car before it was put away. Which brings me to the problem...
I am rebuilding the brakes with parts from Bayless. Rebuilt calipers, new rotors, pads, springs, hoses, etc. I have done the front drivers side wheel where everything fits just fine. I am now doing the rear drivers side wheel, and the caliper carrier binds against the new rotor when I try to tighten it down. The old rotor appears to have been ground or worn down approximately 1/2 to 3/4 mm on each side. I asked Bayless about it, and they said there is no way the new rotor is too thick, but had no other ideas. After chewing on the problem for a week or so, my best guess is that the rear caliper carrier is supposed to be different than the front carrier, and somehow a front carrier was made to fit the rear on my car.
Unless I am missing something else entirely, it seems the only other possibility is that somehow the hub itself is sticking out too far, and that seems fairly unlikely. I have not taken off the other rear wheel to see if it looks the same. Thought I would ask first. Has anyone else run into this? I would appreciate any insights.
Lest you think it is all bad news, I should mention that in spite of possible shady repair history the car is in pretty good shape. No rust, straight body, good glass, good interior (except seats), engine starts and runs with no smoke so far... I hope to have it on the road by fall or so. Thanks again for any help.

[Wallace]

There is a spacer which goes between the hub and the bracket. It's only a pressed bit of metal, about 1mm thick or so. One for sale on e-bay at the moment - but a couple of washers would do just as well if not a bit more fiddly to put on. Use oversize ones to maximise the clamping area and see if you can get them the same thickness !!

[Will]

Wallace is probably correct on the shimming issue, but while you're there, take a look and see if your front brake calipers have an ebrake lever hanging off the bottom. if it does, then somebody was probably in the process of doing the "Beta brake conversion" and hadn't got around to making the new bracket. In this conversion, the rear brake caliper of a beta coupe or Zagato is retrofitted to the front of a scorpion. Check the rotor- the stock scorpion rotor is a small, unvented disk. Lastly, there is a significant difference in thickness of the pads, front to back. If you haven't realized this, or have mated one thick and one thin as a pair, that would cause the same problems you describe.
Finally, check out IAP for your parts, Bayless is $$$$.
Oh, and welcome and good luck.
-Will

[jsax420]

Thanks for the info gentlemen,
It had occurred to me that I could probably use thick washers to make it work, but I didn't think the factory would do it that way. Go figure :roll:
Brakes are definitely original, but interesting tip about the Beta brake conversion. It seems that all parts are in the right places, though I did think I was crazy for a while there. Thanks again!!!
Oh, and Will, I appreciate any comments on any supplier as I am pretty new to ordering from most of them, but I have both Bayless and IAP catalogs and in my copies it seems that IAP is one to three dollars more expensive than Bayless on nearly every part, at least for Scorpion parts. Though I guess price is relative anyway, as no parts for these cars are being given away by anyone. Anyway, just my perspective. :wink:
Thanks again for your help.

[pabeaver]

Hi. Welcome. First, you should look at the other side to see if everything is the same. If no parts were switched or put in the wrong place, the only thing that could cause what you see is a ruined or missing rear axle bearing. Check to see if there is any movement (other than rotary) between the axle flange and the suspension knuckle.

[jsax420]

That is good to know also. I am pretty sure the bearings are tight, but I will go see the car tonight and double check.