Looking for help on a Conversion from drum brakes to disc brakes on a 1959 Nash metropolitan?

Answer 1

Later Austin Healy Sprites, and MG midgets had front discs and almost identical front suspension. If you have the front spindles rebushed to the Metro dimensions and use the bolt-on wheel hubs (not knock-offs) you can install the front disc brakes. It took me a while to round up the parts from various salvage yards. The calipers can be gotten rebuilt from a few sources (J C whitney, Moss motors, etc.). The correct flex hoses are somewhat of a problem. I'm not happy with the lengths I purchased and could not order what I wanted without giving a vehicle model. Being the application does not exist in anyone's catalogue this poses a problem. There are companies that will build whatever hose lengths you want, its start to get pricey. You should change the master cylinder to one from an MG midget. Altering or making new brake lines is not too much of a problem. The MG midget is around the same weight and size and it seems to work well. Check and see what brake fluid is recommended for the parts you purchase, some are not compatible with the internal rubber components There were some interference problems between the new brake master cylinder and the clutch master cylinder. Some very minor filing or grinding in non critical areas took care of that. You will have to make a slight modification to the original floor access opening and I still have to modify my floor cover plate. A fellow in California by the name of Marvin Josephson has homemade video that goes into great detail. It's pretty good, I've spoken to him and asked a few questions along the way. He is a major Metro enthusiast. Phone # is 714-596-0617. Be prepared to spend time on the internet hunting for the spindles and hubs. Good luck Later Austin Healy Sprites, and MG midgets had front discs and almost identical front suspension. If you have the front spindles rebushed to the Metro dimensions and use the bolt-on wheel hubs (not knock-offs) you can install the front disc brakes. It took me a while to round up the parts from various salvage yards. The calipers can be gotten rebuilt from a few sources (J C whitney, Moss motors, etc.). The correct flex hoses are somewhat of a problem. I'm not happy with the lengths I purchased and could not order what I wanted without giving a vehicle model. Being the application does not exist in anyone's catalogue this poses a problem. There are companies that will build whatever hose lengths you want, its start to get pricey. You should change the master cylinder to one from an MG midget. Altering or making new brake lines is not too much of a problem. The MG midget is around the same weight and size and it seems to work well. Check and see what brake fluid is recommended for the parts you purchase, some are not compatible with the internal rubber components There were some interference problems between the new brake master cylinder and the clutch master cylinder. Some very minor filing or grinding in non critical areas took care of that. You will have to make a slight modification to the original floor access opening and I still have to modify my floor cover plate. A fellow in California by the name of Marvin Josephson has homemade video that goes into great detail. It's pretty good, I've spoken to him and asked a few questions along the way. He is a major Metro enthusiast. Phone # is 714-596-0617. Be prepared to spend time on the internet hunting for the spindles and hubs. Good luck