E420 Brakes On a 16 Valve

*LiVn_It_UP* · **E420 Brakes On a 16 Valve -** 06-11-2005, 05:34 AM

My brother just upgraded his stock 86 16 valve brakes for 94 E420 brakes and the front rotors hit the lower control arm when he turns... My 89 2.6 which has 94 E420 brakes clears the control arms with no problems... will 89 2.6 control arms fit on the 16 vavle? any other suggestion?

Thanks

**MTI** · 06-12-2005, 01:04 PM

You sure its hitting the control arm and not the dust shield? Did you trim the dust shield? Is there visible scarring on the back of the rotors? What kind of noise does it make? A groaning or a scratching noise?

*LiVn_It_UP* · 06-12-2005, 02:48 PM

it only does it when he makes a left turn.. it's hitting the right ball joint.. it makes a grinding noise

**Cdn190er** · 06-12-2005, 04:35 PM

and when you remove the wheel and inspect where is the scarring or strike points?
Are you sure it is the rotor striking the LCA (seeing that only the inside of the hub comes close enough)

**MTI** · 06-12-2005, 05:56 PM

that doesnt make sense, it shouldnt hit the LCA, but even if it did, it should hit it on both sides. Hows the suspension in the car? Anything severly rusted? Is it sagging to one side or the other?

**Cdn190er** · 06-12-2005, 08:21 PM

the only thing your caliper (meant rotor) could be striking is the front sway bar.

**MTI** · 06-12-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdn190er

the only thing your caliper could be striking is the front sway bar.

thats not possible. You mean rotor?

**yvrbenz** · 06-12-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdn190er

the only thing your caliper could be striking is the front sway bar.

a little tough to do since the caliper is at the rear of the knuckle and the sway bar is at the front. perhaps you're thinking of the tie-rod?

BG · 06-13-2005, 12:51 AM

I actually had the same issue. After the 400e upgrade to my 16v, the lower ball joint presses against the right front dust shield and scrapes the rotor on hard left turns. I had also upgraded the dust shields to 400e. My solution was to remove the material from the dust shield and this gave the clearance necessary to prevent the scraping. I cut a circular hole in the dust shield where the ball joint touches. I believe the clearance issue is related to the thickness of the rotor and will purchase the thinner rotors at replacement. We are talking about 3 to 4mm of clearance. Good luck.

**MTI** · 06-13-2005, 01:45 AM

I ask again, Have you trimmed the dust shield?

*LiVn_It_UP* · 06-13-2005, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by This Isnt Chuni 8)

I ask again, Have you trimmed the dust shield?

yea he trimmed the dust shields

**MTI** · 06-13-2005, 09:56 AM

alright, then i can only conclude that its due to the lower suspension of the 16v. You way want to source some 2.6 LCAs. I saw some on ebay for 125 per side... Then again i could probably jack you some from our salvage yard.... PM me

TurboBenz · 06-13-2005, 07:57 PM

The difference between 400e brakes and the e420 brakes are the thickness of the rotors. The 420 has the thicker rotors.

dvi · 08-29-2008, 12:08 AM

So what was the solution for this problem, since tomorrow 8/29/08 Im going to upgrade to the e420 calipers and rotors.

Removing the shield will do???

John5788 · 08-29-2008, 12:35 AM

I believe the reason this happens is because the 16v LCAs are slightly different than the 2.6/2.3. They are thicker around the ball joint area and cause that part to run against the rotor.

i suppose if you downgrade to 2.6/2.3 LCA's then you should be fine.