aluminum hubs

[360gts]

Who has the best aluminum front and rear hubs?
Seem to recall reading there were issues with getting these to fit correctly.
Anyone have some feedback on this.
Cheers

[Lakeland997]

I have the KAD ones on my 1275gt and didn't experience any issues.
The Metro ball joints are a nice feature.

IMG_0202.JPG

[Lakeland997]

Thinking further it may be that this set up has increased the front track. I haven't measured it yet but the front tyres are outside the standard arches.

[Spider]

Slightly off topic but relevant all the same.

A word of caution if using any of these Hubs that use a Metro style Ball Joint, when fitting up to a Mini.

Do not ever fit Quinton Hazel branded Ball Joints to them. I don't have anything against Quinton Hazel and generally like their parts (though they are under new management these days so I don't know in general what their new range is like).

The issue with these particular Ball Joints is they don't have enough swivel angle to work on a Mini and at or new full bump and droop / extension, they will lock and break.

There maybe other out there that also have this issue, so always best check.

I know this because only this week past, I'm going through re-designing of complete new hubs of a modern design and when these were checked, that was what I found with them.

Just coming back to any of these Alloy Hubs, how do they stand up to wheel bearing changes? I note that the KAD ones are fitted from new but heating of the hub to fit the outer cups, but this won't work to remove the old ones.

For a Mini, the Ball Joint must have a minimum 52 degrees total swivel angle and even at that, you need to be very careful. The OEM Mini ones had 55 degrees. The OEM Austin Rover Metro Ball Joints had 52 degrees.

[Spider]

Thinking further it may be that this set up has increased the front track. I haven't measured it yet but the front tyres are outside the standard arches.

Looking at your first photo, I think that the increased track will have come about from the vented discs and the off-set drive flange that goes with them.

[CooperTune]

I have a customer car with the KAD hubs, alloy drive flanges and alloy four pot calipers. We are running 12 inch wheels and went with the 8.4 upgraded non vented disc for the weight. Considering what we do with the car I believe we have enough brake and will not have a fade issue. The KAD hubs come with races and ball joints fitted. I'm not looking forward to having to change any of it. May drop by the machine shop, they use liquid nitrogen to cool valve seats when installing. Wonder if hub was warmed in oven then try to cool races. Not likely but could be a fun way to spend a hour or two. Steve (CTR)

[Spider]

Sorry for the thread revival here.

I have the KAD ones on my 1275gt and didn't experience any issues.
The Metro ball joints are a nice feature.

Lakeland, it would seem you've had these hubs for a while now. How much use have you given them and can you give any feedback on them ?

[kit of bits]

Shockingly!
I’ve been reliable informed the minisport ones are nice and possible nicer than KAD.
D

[Lakeland997]

Sorry for the thread revival here.

I have the KAD ones on my 1275gt and didn't experience any issues.
The Metro ball joints are a nice feature.

Lakeland, it would seem you've had these hubs for a while now. How much use have you given them and can you give any feedback on them ?

I haven’t used the car much nor ‘in anger’ but to the extent I have, they have been ok but not brilliant.
I find the steering feels heavy/dead compared to my conventional set up on the rally car and I haven’t checked this but the track seems wider so I’m struggling to find wheels that fit under the arches.
I don’t want to sound too negative but the money would probably be better spent elsewhere.

[Spider]

Sorry for the thread revival here.

I have the KAD ones on my 1275gt and didn't experience any issues.
The Metro ball joints are a nice feature.

Lakeland, it would seem you've had these hubs for a while now. How much use have you given them and can you give any feedback on them ?

I haven’t used the car much nor ‘in anger’ but to the extent I have, they have been ok but not brilliant.
I find the steering feels heavy/dead compared to my conventional set up on the rally car and I haven’t checked this but the track seems wider so I’m struggling to find wheels that fit under the arches.
I don’t want to sound too negative but the money would probably be better spent elsewhere.

Ah, OK, interesting.

Usually fitting Vented Discs increases the Track by circa an inch. Just wonder if that might be why? Gotya that you haven't yet looked closely in to it, but if / when you do, I'd still be keen for your feedback.

Cheers

[CooperTune]

I still service the customer car with KAD and non vented disc. The customer mostly uses the car for one week a year at Mini On the Dragon. This a a mini 40 with all KAD suspension and brakes. Also a Swift Road Rocket injected power unit. This is a very fast car and handles at all speeds. My only complaint is when I pulled the front KAD ally hubs to check bearings. I will never trust built up hubs again. There was maybe a fingers worth of grease in each bearing. The inner races had started fretting on the new CVs. I replaced the bearings and CVs and bagged and marked the ones removed if I ever talk to KAD again I'll offer to return them. I have no problem with the parts and reducing unsprung weight is and was the point. Steve (CTR)

[imack]

The standard vented discs setup increases track by around 1/4" per side compared with 8.4" mini drive flanges.
If that's a KAD brake setup then the vented discs are probably machined to allow the fitment of 8.4" mini drive flanges giving standard disc brake mini track width.