christianrx7 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) I not a fan of drum breaks so I was wondering if any one on here has upgraded there's to rotors in the rear I have a 1999 RWD Edited July 11, 2015 by RedPath88 Title edit for better search results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauitrailguy Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I swapped the entire axle for discs and limited slip. Nissan nut has done some work with brakes also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 WD21 disk swaps aren't difficult because there are original disk brake axles out there to swap in. But as far as I can tell, the R50 only ever had rear drum brakes, so the swap would have to be from a different vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauitrailguy Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) WD21 disk swaps aren't difficult because there are original disk brake axles out there to swap in. But as far as I can tell, the R50 only ever had rear drum brakes, so the swap would have to be from a different vehicle. I dont know how much work you want to do but here is what I was talking about http://nissannut.com/projects/H233b_disc_brakes/ Edited February 28, 2014 by Mauitrailguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauitrailguy Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 WD21 disk swaps aren't difficult because there are original disk brake axles out there to swap in. But as far as I can tell, the R50 only ever had rear drum brakes, so the swap would have to be from a different vehicle. I dont know how much work you want to do but here is what I was talking about http://nissannut.com/projects/H233b_disc_brakes/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejin4499 Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 isn't the axle basically the same between the car50s and the wd21's. couldn't you just swap a whole axle out of a wd21 into your r50? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathybuilder Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Different Spline Count. R50 = 33 spline, WD21= 31 spline. Best option is likely to press the backing plates off and use the R-50 axles like in NissanNut's article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejin4499 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Different Spline Count. R50 = 33 spline, WD21= 31 spline. Best option is likely to press the backing plates off and use the R-50 axles like in NissanNut's article. No I mean take the whole rear axle housing and all. Disconnect the control arms and move the whole thing over out of a pathfinder that has the options you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I'm not sure if the axles are the same length, but looking at the measurements on Wikipedia it appears that the R50 is considerably wider overall than the WD21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Magicians_Eye Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 (edited) I need to do this myself. I haven't been able to find a disk brake axle wd21 though. I have two axles in my shop and both are drum brakes. For us WD21 guys couldn't we just buy the disk brake parts and bolt them to our axle? I'm going to put a cage in my truck and with the added weight I need this thing to stop better than it does. Edited March 12, 2014 by The_Magicians_Eye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Then you'll be disappointed because I have had both types on two wd21 and the difference was marginal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KovemaN Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Pull the whole disc axle if possible. Otherwise, you can just unbolt the backing plates from the donor housing and pull the whole axle shaft out. Make sure to pull the third member and remove the thrust block if you're swapping disc axles into a drum housing or the axles won't seat fully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Magicians_Eye Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks Tom. So the actual axle shafts are different? Same spline or different too? So in theory I should be able to buy new disk brakek axle shafts, new thrust block (whatever that is lol), new backing plates, and then all the disk brake components and it should all bolt together and work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KovemaN Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 The shafts are nearly identical. The spline count and diameter are the same, but the length is very slightly different (disc are longer). I would pull used if possible, but all new disc components will bolt to a housing that was originally fitted with drum brakes. The thrust block is ONLY FOR DRUM BRAKES. The disc axles have a different bearing at the backing plate that allows them to operate as a full floater as opposed to a semi-float like the drum axles. Call me if you need any more clarification. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APACHECHIEF13 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I have a 87 pathy with drums in the rear. I found a 88 pathy with disk in the rear. I pulled the axles out of the 87 and 88 and swaped them over with no problems. You need to find the same years of suv like 86-89 wd21 90-95 wd21 same with the d21 trucks or r50. You will need to change the brake lines and e brake line will need to be removed and reinstalled with other e brake line on the new axles. It's easy to do if you like to work lol. Make sure you have the engine running when bleeding the brakes so you don't get air in it and it's a vacuum set up so remmber that. You will not get a hard brake if the engine is not running. It's more work to swap the hole axle housing if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8path Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I have a 87 pathy with drums in the rear. I found a 88 pathy with disk in the rear. I pulled the axles out of the 87 and 88 and swaped them over with no problems. You need to find the same years of suv like 86-89 wd21 90-95 wd21 same with the d21 trucks or r50. You will need to change the brake lines and e brake line will need to be removed and reinstalled with other e brake line on the new axles. It's easy to do if you like to work lol. Make sure you have the engine running when bleeding the brakes so you don't get air in it and it's a vacuum set up so remmber that. You will not get a hard brake if the engine is not running. It's more work to swap the hole axle housing if you ask me. I'm considering a hydro boost upgrade http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/35946-chevy-master-cylinder-upgrade/. You mention having the engine running to bleed the brakes. I've not seen anything that says that is mandatory. Anyone else know if it is necessary to have the engine running during the bleeding process? Given most the wD21's are going on a quarter century or more, I haven't done it yet, but with a little modification by elongating the mounting holes slightly, the Wilwood D154 dual piston (they have a rear specific version) calipers may be a great upgrade option. The specifications for this part, on a quick glance, I think might work. If anyone gets to it it before I do, it would be nice to confirm this, as I'm sure there's a lot of OEM rear disc owners around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 My friend's Chevy van has hydroboost. It works, but it does have an odd pedal feel and it seems to contribute to heating up the power steering fluid. He managed to boil it once, but it was 110° that day and he was working the system pretty hard. We're actually planning to rebuild or replace it soon because it's started to leak. I don't know why you'd need a running engine to bleed brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8path Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Are the leaks from the hydro boost, or the MC? Been doing some research and the guys that love their hydro boost acknowledge there's extra things to do, like a oil cooler, and upgrading the steering pump, to make it work. It would seem if going the hydro boost route, be prepared to upgrade the weak parts in the system, and if its done right, you get the better performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 You don't need a running engine to bleed the brakes. Hydroboost does bleed out normally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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