Rear Brakes...the saga continues.

If you've read the previous entries, I bought cheap EMPI rear disc brakes.  They have continued to shake, rattle and roll despite my best effort to quiet them down.  The main problem is the brake plate that attaches to the axles is slightly loose.

Today, I was going to fix this once and for all.  Previously, I had replaced the bolts and that did help but as I looked I could see where the bolts were slightly longer and therefore bottoming out in the threaded holes.  I added a second locknut to each bolt.  This helped slightly but still the plate was slightly loose.  The next thing I considered was the gasket that I was using.  If you've ever ordered the kit from one of the VW online places the kit is made in Mexico and the gasket is thin as paper and therefore "el cheapo."  Exactly how many layers of silicone can you add to this whimpy piece of paper??  I went to NAPA and bought a variety pack of gasket material for $10.  With 5 different sheets , I was certain something would work.  I figured I'd go big to begin with -- 1/8 inch thick.  Got out the razor knife and went to town.

This gasket is a combination rubber/cork and it worked very well. This made the plates solid and the bolts didn't bottom out. Very tight seal.

I took my Bradley for a test drive.  Wow! What a difference.  The back area is completely silent.

Now to attack the front disc brake plates...same problem as the back.

Another thing I did was to replace the coil over shocks in the back with some nice Gabriel HiJackers - air shocks.  The last time I installed a pair of these was back in 1978 on an old Mustang II that I drove.  Easy to install and 100lbs of pressure seemed to work just right. Along my commute there were a couple dips that would cause my back end to bottom out, this was after the coil overs were set to the highest setting.  This addition made the difference and cut down on the spring noise that was happening as well. I probably should have started with these to begin with.  The best price was in town at Autozone - $69.  Online at JC Whitney was $99.