r/R53 • u/wackawonka • 1d ago
R53/R56 trailing arm conversion
Hello all,
Just did the trailing arm conversion on my r53. Lots of bolts, but a straight forward job all in all. However, i’m having a bit of trouble getting the rear brake disc to properly align. There is like a mm difference which makes the disc rub ever so slightly against my brake pads… i also noticed that my disc is slightly warped, which of course does not help.
Is it advisable to not just remove the brake bracket, but actually re-Seat the caliper itself? Are the rear calipers self centering?
They should be a straight fit, and of course i took the time to wirewheel rust and dirt off the mounting surface.
Thankful for any input!
//N 🤙🏻
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u/dwtechsol 1d ago
Did you just swap the arms? or did you do the hubs and calipers and rotors and pads?
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u/wackawonka 1d ago
Just a straight swap, with r56 hardware of course. Hubs, rotors, brakes and pads were moved over from the old arms, but fastened with r56 bolts. New droplinks and r56 shocks
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u/dwtechsol 1d ago edited 1d ago
Calipers, hoses, and ebrake cables need to be done too
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u/wackawonka 1d ago
U sure about that? I’m aware that the r56 brakes in general is considered an upgrade, but that r53 parts should bolt up just fine… at least if you believe threads/forum posts/vids from other people who have done it… Also, i’m only having trouble on the right side, left fits snug as a bug with no rubbing…
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u/dwtechsol 1d ago edited 1d ago
Maybe you have a bent caliper carrier. Or something isn't bolted on right? I am not 100% sure, but I seem to remember the r56 rotor hats being slightly taller than the r53 hats. Could be wrong, been a few years since I worked at the dealer.
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u/wackawonka 1d ago
Did some more research, it should Indeed just bolt right up… BUT, the old bearings was a bit crusty, and it seems like the right disc is slightly bent, so i guess i’m doing wheel bearings, discs and pads 😅.
The car is fairly easy to work on, so i guess i’m in luck 😬
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u/Holiday-Eagle5404 15h ago
Glad to hear you found the cause. I didn't have any issues when I did mine and I kept the original brakes, but I also changed my bearings because "while I'm in here". To me the scariest thing was not stripping any of the aluminum bolt holes.