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Originally Posted by Steve F
Is it just the spacers on the brackets that are different depending on the year of the XJ? I'm leaning towards getting this kit but I guess I have to wait until after your write up and any clearance issues on stock wheels.
My other issue is the strength of the knuckle after cutting, is it weakened in anyway particularily around the upper balljoint, also will the knuckles need to come off for trimming? So many questions 
I just need to convince myself this is a better option than slotted DBA rotors from a cost point of view.
Cheers
Steve |
I am actually fitting late model hubs and did so today. Only difference in the kit is that the spacers are 5 mm shorter for them. You could do the cuts while on the car but one nut and a whack removes the tie rod and two nuts and another whack removes the knuckle. They even remove it this way in the factory service manual and even the place to hit it is cast into the knuckle!
Did my research and the upper ball joint has plenty of strength left and Jeep even had a knuckle with a bolt on caliper on early XJ's etc that has even less. Even compared the upper dimensions after cutting and still the same as 2 ton Dodge Rams etc who have even more leverage as the upper part of the knuckle is three times as long on them. The cuts are the same as a kit sold in the US for $4500 using Brembo calipers.
You also have way cheaper replacement parts from now on and can get them at any two bit place around Australia. There was a easier way to use Commodore rotors and re-drill them but I wanted stock replacement pieces for the above reason.
You wont any more have trouble with the stock caliper piston cocking as has happened to quite a few of you now. The two pistons are smaller and push more evenly on the brake pad.
The leverage of the 20 mm bigger rotors also reduces braking effort which helps over come the losses incurred by running larger tyre in the first place too. Let along the better placement of force on the pad from two pistons rather then just one pushing in the middle and not even centred to top bottom if you look at the stock one. The rotors are also far heavier which helps dissipate the heat much better.
The price is fantastic as you would not even buy a pair of new calipers for this price let alone with all the ADR approved braided brakes lines etc and pads for Ford ones let alone Jeep parts!!!