Sami rear disk brakes using Nissan Maxima

[Reddog1]

I do not know if supazuk94 is the same guy as supazuk, but if it is I read your Thread (Zuwharrie) on the sami rear disk brakes using Nissan maxima, on: Thursday, January 12, 2006. Your write up and photos are great, thanks. I have it downloaded, and using it as an aid in mounting my Maxima Calipers.

I purchased ($150) a setup someone started, but did not finish. They used the Trail Tough Samurai Caliper kit (adapter/bearing retainer, disc adapter, and “T”) and Maxima caliper mount. What I bought also included the Maxima Calipers with Pads. They cut the TRAIL TOUGH caliper mount, and welded the Maxima mount to it. I have it mounted on a spare axle, and it appears they did a great job. The Maxima Caliper is rotated up a bit more than yours is.

I am installing the Calipers on a 1991 Samurai. I still have to purchase a proportional valve. I may or may not go with the Firebird master cylinder, I can add it later. I do have a couple of questions on the Maxima Caliper install I hope you can offer suggestions.

1 What modification, if any, do I need to do with the factory proportional valve? My logic says just leave it as is, and if it causes a problem just use a line coupler and by-pass it. What is your thoughts and experience?

2. When I rotate the Maxima ebrake cable mount, as it appears you did, the cable between the mount and the caliper cable connection is an arc. Does this interfere with the ebrake operation?

3. Can you provide details on how you adapted the Samurai ebrake cables to the Maxima ebrake?

4. Can you see any advantage in mounting the proportional valve so it can be adjusted from the driver seat?


Wayne

[vhamacalvars]

I'm not supazuk94 or even supazuk but have had some experience with the Nissan Maxima e-brake calipers. For one I did run the firebird master cylinder and an aftermarket proportioning valve. I bypassed the stock Samurai proportioning valve at the same time.
I have an older Samurai, so at the same time I converted the dual rear lines to a single line. As a matter of fact I changed all the brake lines over. The large reservoir on the Firebird MC is for the front brakes and the small one is for the rear. I installed the proportioning valve on the large reservoir fitting. Napa had all the brake line adapters i needed.
One word of caution: ensure your bleeder valve is the highest point of the caliper or you'll never get out all of the air. My first attempt at installing the Maxima calipers lead to a lot of frustration due to having failed to make the bleeders the highest point. I bled the brakes numerous times until i finally had the epiphany that the bleeder valve location was my problem. Once I straightened that out I had no more problems.
As for mounting the proportioning valve to where you can adjust it from the drivers seat, that's a user preference. Once you get the brakes balanced/adjusted to your liking you shouldn't ever have to adjust it again.
I hope this helped you out some. The best of luck to you.

[Reddog1]

vhamacalvars, I really appreciate your response. I was beginning to think I was the only one to use the Maxima calipers. Perhaps to hard core for Pirate?

From what I have read, it is questionable for the need to run the Firebird master cylinder and an aftermarket proportioning valve
I was not aware. I believe both would make for a more efficient braking system. I will probably try the Maximas without the Firebird master cylinder and an aftermarket proportioning valve, just for the experience. I believe my finished system will include both.

Thanks for the tip on Napa having the brake line adapters needed. I have as Napa store near me.

I think my bleeders are at the top. Visually, they appear to be. I will certainly remember this, when I bleed the system.

I thought kit was worth asking about the proportioning valve
location. It would be easier to mount near the MC.

Your response has helped. Do you have any words of wisdom, or details on how you connected the e-brake?

Wayne

[supazuk94]

Originally Posted by vhamacalvars

I'm not supazuk94 or even supazuk but have had some experience with the Nissan Maxima e-brake calipers. For one I did run the firebird master cylinder and an aftermarket proportioning valve. I bypassed the stock Samurai proportioning valve at the same time.
I have an older Samurai, so at the same time I converted the dual rear lines to a single line. As a matter of fact I changed all the brake lines over. The large reservoir on the Firebird MC is for the front brakes and the small one is for the rear. I installed the proportioning valve on the large reservoir fitting. Napa had all the brake line adapters i needed.
One word of caution: ensure your bleeder valve is the highest point of the caliper or you'll never get out all of the air. My first attempt at installing the Maxima calipers lead to a lot of frustration due to having failed to make the bleeders the highest point. I bled the brakes numerous times until i finally had the epiphany that the bleeder valve location was my problem. Once I straightened that out I had no more problems.
As for mounting the proportioning valve to where you can adjust it from the drivers seat, that's a user preference. Once you get the brakes balanced/adjusted to your liking you shouldn't ever have to adjust it again.
I hope this helped you out some. The best of luck to you.

exactly .... remove the proportional valve ( redid all the lines at the same timegetting rid of the metric flares at the same time, just my preference)
btw I'm one in the same..... Story goes I locked myself out of the the name supazuk on here and no access to my old email. I had a 94 sami and needed a question answered.
In hind sight, I may have been safer locked out. This place has lead me to an empty bank account.. lots of grease on my garage floor, far too many tools, along with too many projects...damn you pirate4x4.

[JM93LiftedYJ]

Originally Posted by supazuk94

In hind sight, I may have been safer locked out. This place has lead me to an empty bank account.. lots of grease on my garage floor, far too many tools, along with too many projects...damn you pirate4x4.

Sounds like a post I'll have in five years.

[Reddog1]

supazuk94, thanks for your response. You know you love the abuse you get from pirate4x4.

I have not only read your write-up on your Maxima install, but I saved it to my hard drive. I have the one from pirate4x4 and Zuwharrie (2006). Great write up, but not enough details on the ebrake for me.

1 In the photos, it appears you simply connected the Maxima and Zuk cables together with cable clamps. Is this true?

2 It also appears you rotated the Maxima ebrake mounting bracket about 90-degrees, to change the direction of the Maxima cable. Is that true?

3 It looks like you trimmed material from the Maxima ebrake mounting bracket, between bracket and cable/caliper connection, allowing for a straighter pull on the caliper. Is this true?

Wayne

[supazuk94]

I just used stock zuk cables and slid them in the caliper didn't bend anything ... i only used that set up for a couple years .. i blew up the zuk axles and moved on to yoda's sold the rear ebrake set up and all ... been about 5 years since i have even seen it on the axle so i might be forgetting something...

[Reddog1]

Maybe my calipers are different, but I do not think so. I can see no way to connect the Zuk ebrake without cable clamps, or an adapter mounted on the Maxima ebrake arm. Could be I am missing something, would not be the first time.

I would prefer to leave the Zuk ebrake cable unmolested, so I may have to fab an adapter for the Maxima ebrake arm.

I have searched all over the Forums, for a couple of months, and have yet to see any details on connecting the ebrake. All of the write-ups says the Maxima ebrake works great, but yet no info on how it was connected. I am assuming the distance pulled to engage the Zuk ebrake is the same distance required for the Maxima.

Wayne

[zukiscoot]

reddog im interested in seeing pics of what you come up with. especialy the fire bird master cylinder.im gonna use toyota calipers sine ive done the yota axle swap allready but for the ebrake ive got a tcase ebrake from lowrange which im pretty happy with. ive been running the stock toyota drums for some time and im absolutley sick of changing shoes. ive also discarded the stock sammy prop valve and replaced it with some unions. i didnt notice any difference in braking from having done so.

[Reddog1]

You will have to give me some time, I have not got the MC as yet. Photos of my Zuki/Maxima stuff will not do you much good.

I am having problems with my internet connection. so it may take me a couple of days to post very much. I will try to post some links on the Firebird MC.

Wayne

[Kreep]

I can't offer too much help, the previous owner is the one that put the Maxima brakes on my Sammi.

I will say the stock MC and e-brake handle work fine with these calipers. If I recall correctly the proportioning valve was removed.

It appears he shortened the maxima e-brake cable. You can tell he shortened the housing and it kinked where he cut it. I recently had to wrap this with a piece of tube to keep it from kinking. Only problem I've had with the setup.

[Reddog1]

Originally Posted by Kreep

I can't offer too much help, the previous owner is the one that put the Maxima brakes on my Sammi.

Your post is a big help, and may save me some money and time. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Kreep

I will say the stock MC and e-brake handle work fine with these calipers. If I recall correctly the proportioning valve was removed.

If the stock MC works, I will not go to the Firebird MC.

I was concerned with the travel on the Zuki ebrake/handle working with the Maxima caliper ebrake.

From what I have read, removal of the OEM proportioning valve is required. The next question is if you need an adjustable proportioning valve?

Originally Posted by Kreep

It appears he shortened the maxima e-brake cable. You can tell he shortened the housing and it kinked where he cut it. I recently had to wrap this with a piece of tube to keep it from kinking. Only problem I've had with the setup.

Could you post photos of the caliper part of ebrake, including the area he kinked? Photos of how he connected the Zuki and Maxima cables would be great.

Do you know for sure what year Maxima calipers were used?

Wayne

[Reddog1]

Originally Posted by zukiscoot

reddog im interested in seeing pics of what you come up with. especialy the fire bird master cylinder.im gonna use toyota calipers sine ive done the yota axle swap allready but for the ebrake ive got a tcase ebrake from lowrange which im pretty happy with. ive been running the stock toyota drums for some time and im absolutley sick of changing shoes. ive also discarded the stock sammy prop valve and replaced it with some unions. i didnt notice any difference in braking from having done so.

Originally Posted by Reddog1

You will have to give me some time, I have not got the MC as yet. Photos of my Zuki/Maxima stuff will not do you much good.

I am having problems with my internet connection. so it may take me a couple of days to post very much. I will try to post some links on the Firebird MC.

Wayne

This may give you some usable information on the Firebird MC:

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthre...ght=front+disc

/forum/suzuki/757581-zuk-rear-disks-nissan-calipers-firebird-master.html

This is not about the Firebird MC, but good info on Toy Disc:

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/rear-disc-swap-107749/

Wayne

[Kreep]

Checked my notes, the calipers came off a 1982 Maxima and the rotors are 87 Samurai. Note that the ebrake cable feeds in slightly different on the right and left. You can see the repair I did on the cable by slipping a piece of tube I slit on it, wrapping in electrical tape and then putting a hose clamp on. Keeps the mud out and keeps it from kinking where the housing was cut. Not sure what the proportioning valve is from.

[Reddog1]

Thanks for the update Kreep. The calipers from a 1982 Maxima appear to have a more desirable e-brake position. I will refer to your photos as I go forward with my project.

I picked up some 1995 Maxima calipers today. The e-brake will not work with my SPOA YJ, as the caliper mount is designed. It would work great with a SPUA. I will return them in the AM.

So far, it looks like the 1990 Maximas through 94 will work the best for my set-up. I will look again in the AM.

Wayne

EDIT: 1994 ebrake lever best for me. Maxima 1995 is incorrect pull direction.

[Reddog1]

If you use the Maxima Calipers, It is important to look at the direction of the ebrake pull. If I remember correctly, earlier years are mounted in rear of the axle, later years in front. I may have that backwards. The point is look ar the ebrake. Also, measure carefully, the later years may hit your springs on a YJ SPOA. Location of your mounting bracket is critical for clearance and ebrake.

I am using the 1994 Maxima. I swapped sides with the calipers, right caliper on left side on Zuk axle with the left caliper on the right side of the Zuk axle.

Wayne

[Reddog1]

I did settle in with the 1994 Maxima calipers. The pre-94 calipers have the same basic design overall, but the ebrake lever on the caliper ebrake cam is designed a bit different on different years. An adapter for Maxima caliper to Zuki ebrake cable would be slightly different. The '94 and older calipers mount in front of the axle, from what I seen at Pick-n-Pull. On mine, I swapped them side to side and installed them in the rear of my Zuki axle.

From what I saw at Pick-n-Pull, '95 and newer Maxima calipers mount on the rear of the Maximas. The ebrake pulls in a different direction, actually toward the center of the axle. If you measured from the inside of the disc to the end of the caliper (ebrake end) it is much longer than the per '95. This only makes a difference if you want to use the stock Zuki cable without modification, with or without an adapter. The added length requires more attention in positioning the caliper, when using leaf springs.

Wayne