Rear Disc Brake Conversion... Teraflex Spacer Part???

[huevo83]

hi, i am about to do a rear disc from a zj grand cherokee conversion on my MJ dana 44. But I know i need the teraflex spacer or the rubicon plate... I am going to the teraflex side spacer since it will only require to tag it to the current plate; however there is two part numbers listed on different topics, threads, forums and I don't know which one to order and teraflex has not answered my email. I am at work and can't call them to ask. 

 

i have part number 86261 and 86262... which one is the best for us MJ D44 owners?

 

 

and any other part I may need? I am getting everything rear brake related from a 1996 zj grand cherokee.

 

 

thanks in advance.

[skidoo_j]

You can take the measurements yourself that you need.   The ring need to be same od as your seal and as thick as your new disc bracket. (disc bracket thickness minus drum bracket thickness)  You're trying to retain the same preload on the bearing.   With that said I'm fairly confident you need the "early"  http://www.teraflex.biz/rear-disc-brake-preload-ring-for-early-kits.html

 

here are some references. 

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=967146

 

http://www.billavista.com/tech/Articles/Dana_44_Rear_Axle_Disc_Brake_Conversion/

 

http://www.nwjeepn.com/images/Axle/Ebrakeadapter.pdf

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/39924-explorer-parking-brake-cables/?hl=disk&do=findComment&comment=401978

[huevo83]

pretty sure? I am inclining over the 86261 smaller diameter... since most of the post you gave me are using that one :S anyone else with their opinion? thanks anyway

[skidoo_j]

The rings they produce are for their kits.  Not JY pulled parts.  So the thickness will be close and probably "good enough"   They refer to the kit that will fit a dana 44 in a cherokee as an "early" kit.     

 

http://www.teraflex.biz/rear-disc-brake-kit-jeep-early-80-s-model.html#second

 

Take the measurements yourself.   You can look up the bearings and seals for the year the axle was made.   YOu will or rather should replace the bearings and seals new anyways as they have to be pressed off when you put those rings on.   With that said once you have your new seals and bearings you can measure your OD and ID for the ring.   the thickness is the difference in thickness from the dana 44 mounting plate to that of the zj disc brake.   When I made mine It was closest to the measurements provided in the second link i sent you earlier.   Which differs from the ones teraflex sells by a few thousandths.    I still have a dana 44 drum bracket in my yard so if you want that thickness I can go mic it for you and then you can subtract it from your zj parts.  

 

I've done 3 of these conversions now with out any issues.  I've used the zj parts all three times.  and am getting ready to do a 4th.  the three sets thickness varied slightly as each was a different year, talking a couple thousandths of an inch for pressed parts cast in different molds in different years.   

 

 

here are their measurements that i Have from all my research for the two teraflex parts.

Old:  3" od x 2.25 ID x .230 Thick

DBK:  2 7/8" x 2.25 id x .228 thick

[huevo83]

thanks for your help... I haven't pulled parts from my D44 since it is my daily driver. So if you could measure it would be helpful thanks. I went an order the dbk since that what the teraflex customer told me most people order for the zj brakes, however he was not really knowledgable but was 80% sure it was the right part. I hope it is... however any help would be really appreciated.

[skidoo_j]

I took the time to look up the bearings and seals.   2.893" for OD on seal. listed for an 88.   The hole on the D44 backing bracket is 3.005"  and is 0.124" thick.     Either ring will probably work.   I think the last set my father made was turned at 2.910 OD.  The ring had very little play when in the bracket and marry's the seal perfect.    We used a bore and drilled the bracket to 2.920"
 
 
When you bore out the zj backing plate I suggest getting it as close to the size of the bearing /seal with out causing conflict.    I say this because if you drill it out to 3" and you're using the 2.875 it could be plausable for the ring to settle low by the 1/8" difference and cause premature wear.   to resolve you could just tack it to the retainer ring (would also make assembly easier) or just be really careful during install 
 
 
And I'm still thinking the Early rings based on teraflex's website is what you should have purchased.  Or just got both sets.  After all what's $32 dollars if it causes premature bearing failure or worse.   Plus they would have taken the wrong set back so at most you would have been out a few dollars in return shipping.  

  When it's printed in writing on their site stating one thing, and the sales associate is not 100% confident I go with what's written because it's easier to prove fault.    And the biggest thing i've learned is that these jeeps are never the same, not even from the factory.   Have  friends with 2-89 xj, 1-89 mj, and 1-90 xj we do an electrical mod on one go to the next and wire colors differ, but they "should Be" the same.   
 

Rear Disc Brake Kit-Jeep early 80's model Details

Fits XJ Cherokee non-c-clip rear axles and XJ Cherokee D44 axles up through 1988.

[huevo83]

thanks, I thought about getting both sets, but just went with the gut feeling... I hope as you said they should fit and I hope I don't have major problems, anyways thanks for the update... will try to do them on the weekend, will let you know how it goes or if I have to order something else... lol... thanks