[SOLVED] Thoughts on these 6x5.5 explorer rotors redrilled

[Smokeyyank]

Gatheting parts for my axle build and got a rear explorer disc conversion for the 9". I'm running 6x5.5 so ordered the kit that way and these are the rotors I got? My concern is the double drilled hole. Are these fine or do I need to send them back? 

[pizzaman09]

That's fine.  They must make the disk for two different bolt pattern wheels.  The load transfer ina brake disk should really come from the clamping of the disk between the wheel and hub. 

[Smokeyyank]

26 minutes ago, pizzaman09 said:

That's fine.  They must make the disk for two different bolt pattern wheels.  The load transfer ina brake disk should really come from the clamping of the disk between the wheel and hub. 

 

Cool, appreciate the info. Yes it's for a 5x5.5 and 6x5.5. 

[derf]

No.  That's not Okay.  I would send them back.

[ghetdjc320]

3 hours ago, derf said:

No.  That's not Okay.  I would send them back.

 But… they can’t drill a 6 lug and 5 lug pattern without interference if the diameter is close enough. Proper conversion rotors would be best and should only have the pattern you need. But these rotor will work in a pinch

[Smokeyyank]

33 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said:

 But… they can’t drill a 6 lug and 5 lug pattern without interference if the diameter is close enough. Proper conversion rotors would be best and should only have the pattern you need. But these rotor will work in a pinch

Appreciate the info. Tricky part is these are the explorer rotors with an internal parking brake so the hat is the issue. After looking at them more they have to go back regardless because the new lug size is wrong. Ordered 1/2 and got 5/8. Played around with a wheel spacer I randomly had and there is going to be one that overlaps. So may just go with Eldorado calipers and 6x5.5 rotors. 

[llhat]

do not believe the 5 lug pattern is on 5.5 circle,   if they were the centerlines of both 5 and 6 holes would be on same circle.

 

no, I would not 'like' the result shown above at the 2:30 o'clock position, but like others, do not think there's an effect on braking.

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

The inner circle should be the explorer 5x4.5 circle. 

[ghetdjc320]

Just for pure kicks and giggles, checkout an Isuzu rodeo/Honda passport rear rotor from 95 up to 2003. 95-96 will be one style, 97 will be another and 98-03 will be yet another. All had a 6x5.5 patter and internal parking drum brake. Who knows if it’s anything that may fit but worth a shot 

[Smokeyyank]

I'll take a look and see. Appreciate the info. 

[Smokeyyank]

New rotors came in with the correct size but still have the one overlap. I called quickperformance and they are stating they run these rotors on 2000hp Mud trucks with no issues. Of the places I've worked with so far, they've been the least helpful, cheap but kind of useless. I'm still not convinced this is the best solution. I did reach out to moser and they can do a fill and drill for about 100 for both rotors but they need their machinist to confirm they could. I was also looking at Curries website and they say they have explorer rotors that can be drilled to 6x5.5 but they are closed so can't confirm if it's a blank that's drilled or a redrill like above. Did some snooping around stock parts to see if anything would work and closest I came was a rear rotor from a 90-95 pathfinder. Everything is super close with the biggest discrepancy being the parking brake shows are about 10mm difference. So would have to grind down brake show to make it fit which I'm not a fan of. So will see if moser or currie can work otherwise just take the L and go with a weld on kit and chevy calipers and rotors. 

[ghetdjc320]

There are also some alternatives such as wilwood’s electric parking brake calipers or a transfer case parking brake if all else fails. That being said, I’m sure the rotors you have will work fine. 

[pizzaman09]

I'll restate what I said before, the way the bolted joint works is the bolts compress the wheel to the rotor and the rotor to the hub.  Torque is transmitted to both through friction between the rotor and hub faces.  The bolts should never be loaded in shear as that would very quickly break the bolts or studs in fatigue. There really is no technical issues with this rotor as the holes don't actually load against the studs. 

 

It will work fine.  The only requirement is that you have the nuts torqued enough, like every wheel on any car.

[Smokeyyank]

3 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

I'll restate what I said before, the way the bolted joint works is the bolts compress the wheel to the rotor and the rotor to the hub.  Torque is transmitted to both through friction between the rotor and hub faces.  The bolts should never be loaded in shear as that would very quickly break the bolts or studs in fatigue. There really is no technical issues with this rotor as the holes don't actually load against the studs. 

 

It will work fine.  The only requirement is that you have the nuts torqued enough, like every wheel on any car.

 

I did do a bunch of research after your first comment and you're right. A lot of it is just my perception along with parts availability. These axles are going in my WJ as an family adventure build. So trying to build it as something that is overbuilt (in some regards) but also able to drop in to to a parts store when on the road and grab what I need if needed. I didn't know these would be redrilled when I got them should have done more research. Thought they had a OEM option that supported a 6x5.5. 

 

Found this article that provided some good info. 

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes-54/safety-redrilled-lug-pattern-brake-rotors-3044626/

 

Really my biggest worry is the wheel falling off or losing brakes on a downhill. Which probably less than a 0% chance of ever happening because of two rear rotors, but always the inherent rish

 

Appreciate the input. 

[pizzaman09]

7 hours ago, Smokeyyank said:

 

I did do a bunch of research after your first comment and you're right. A lot of it is just my perception along with parts availability. These axles are going in my WJ as an family adventure build. So trying to build it as something that is overbuilt (in some regards) but also able to drop in to to a parts store when on the road and grab what I need if needed. I didn't know these would be redrilled when I got them should have done more research. Thought they had a OEM option that supported a 6x5.5. 

 

Found this article that provided some good info. 

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes-54/safety-redrilled-lug-pattern-brake-rotors-3044626/

 

Really my biggest worry is the wheel falling off or losing brakes on a downhill. Which probably less than a 0% chance of ever happening because of two rear rotors, but always the inherent rish

 

Appreciate the input. 

I sure understand the desire for just straight up reliability, I strive for that myself and do struggle to find quality parts at times.  Good luck with the build!

[watchamakalit]

When I was younger, custom parts made me go oooo-ahhhh. Now that I have some life experiences, I have learned "custom" usually means "no easy replacement" later down the road. There is definitely a value to the K.I.S.S. methodology in auto repair and maintenance.

[Smokeyyank]

Solved! Kind of, found out Currie has blank explorer rotors drilled to the bolt pattern so now all pretty. Will keep the redrilled rotors as back ups.