New Centric rotors don't fit [shorter hat]

[PastorMike]

It's been awhile since I've looked at the mating surfaces between the hub and rotor, so I can't offer a formal opinion on the subject. You would also be spacing your wheel out the same amount; which will affect your geometry; in effect changing the offset of the wheel. You could fabricate a spacer out of an alloy of aluminum. 2024T6 (50KPsi) or 6061T6 (40KPsi). Just make sure that you have full contact and your spacer is flat and does not vary in thickness. Currently I'm out of the country or I would take a look.

[MetalZ240]

It's been awhile since I've looked at the mating surfaces between the hub and rotor, so I can't offer a formal opinion on the subject. You would also be spacing your wheel out the same amount; which will affect your geometry; in effect changing the offset of the wheel. You could fabricate a spacer out of an alloy of aluminum. 2024T6 (50KPsi) or 6061T6 (40KPsi). Just make sure that you have full contact and your spacer is flat and does not vary in thickness. Currently I'm out of the country or I would take a look.

The wheel position [as far as distance apart] is determined by the shaft and races of the bearings and nut that secures the hub to the shaft.... all the spacer does is extend the rotor inward as if it had a longer hat. I have two machine shops that could make the spacer, but haven't gotten a quote for how much that would be... and i don't think aluminum alloy would be a good choice, i think i'd prefer high carbon steel or stainless steal for the added shear strength. However my main concern in doing the spacer [aside from what it may cost to custom make them] is that i'd have to find bolts with an >8mm longer grip length, which i could probably find, but its an unknown.

I think i am leaning towards getting new rotors, and perhaps seeing if i can sell the new ones i have now that must fit some sort of z car from later 73 to who knows when... Actually i'm somewhat surprised nobody in here has said they use that size height of 43.5mm rotor. Also curious why Centric only makes this shorter size, and not the longer one... or at least Rockauto doesn't list them.

[MetalZ240]

I just looked at my old rotors, and to my surprise the wall thickness of the flange than bolts to the hub just happens to be 8mm, meaning if that flange was cut out of the old rotors [which a mechanist would be able to do] it would make a perfect spacer.... I think i will now look into finding some high quality bolts that would accommodate the extra 8 mm. If they are out there, that may be my best solution to this problem.

Does anyone happen to know the bolt diameter and thread pitch of the hub bolts?

[SteveJ]

FYI: I have had to deal with RockAuto customer service. I ordered two clutch master cylinders for my Zs. I only received one. I called them up and let them know that they accidentally short-shipped my order. They had another off to me promptly. I also ordered vacuum advances from them that the computer said were in stock but weren't available. They quickly notified me that they were not in stock after all and not available. They also very quickly updated their computer catalog to remove the part.

It is a challenge for a company to support as many makes and models as they do. They rely heavily on their suppliers providing accurate information to them. IMHO they also value their customers. I would not be surprised if they are very cooperative with you returning an undamaged, unmodified part that did not fit correctly.

[MetalZ240]

FYI: I have had to deal with RockAuto customer service. I ordered two clutch master cylinders for my Zs. I only received one. I called them up and let them know that they accidentally short-shipped my order. They had another off to me promptly. I also ordered vacuum advances from them that the computer said were in stock but weren't available. They quickly notified me that they were not in stock after all and not available. They also very quickly updated their computer catalog to remove the part.

It is a challenge for a company to support as many makes and models as they do. They rely heavily on their suppliers providing accurate information to them. IMHO they also value their customers. I would not be surprised if they are very cooperative with you returning an undamaged, unmodified part that did not fit correctly.

Well i'm still waiting to hear from them, so i'll see what they say.... If the refund includes the shipping then its an easy call for me to send them back. I'm just concerned they may say that by trying to install them, they were "installed" [its a bit of a semantic call as to what constitutes install i suppose]. Then of course what constitutes 'damage' since some of the paint is probably scratched from the bolts attaching it to the hub, which would just be a cosmetic repair, but here again it comes down to who's definition one uses.

I have printed out the return instructions order in case i do get a green light... or i could just send them back and hope for the best. I'm actually having trouble making a decision.... one minute i lean one way, then lean another. Very frustrating actually.

Thanks for the info.

[MetalZ240]

Just in case anyone is still following this, i never did get a word back from Centric on this issue - they have completely ignored me - and i've since found other catalog problems with Centric [so be extra careful buying parts from these guys]... For example they currently have a rear brake "drum" listed with a part number that identifies it as a front rotor. The also had a '260z' part listed for a 260z "from 8/73" huh???

Rockauto has given me a partial refund, so this whole mess has been very costly, thanks to them sending me rotors for a 280z or later.... Might be best to avoid buying online unless you can really confirm the part you are getting with a specs sheet, or else you are taking a big risk, even with so-called "money back" guarantees that don't refund for shipping.

[LeonV]

Nissan began production of 260Zs in 8/73, so that's correct.

I've ordered countless parts from Rockauto, more than from anywhere else. I've never had an issue when having to return something either.

This mistake lies on both parties, you for not knowing the mid-year rotor change and them for not specifying dimensions or that there was a mid-year change, so the partial-refund seems warranted to me.

[MetalZ240]

Try this as an experiment: Look up parts for a 1973 240z 2.4L vehicle, then look up "DRUMS" and you'll see CENTRIC 12342002 C-TEK Standard Brake Drums... Click "INFO" and tell me what you see listed...

Maybe its just me, but that sure looks like a front rotor to me...

[MetalZ240]

Her's what i got back from Rockauto about the above...

I can confirm that the number you have listed is a drum for a 1973 Nissan 240Z 2.4L. I talked to a tech at centric about part #12342002 and he assured me that the part was correct for the vehicle, and said that this part looks a bit different from a typical drum.

We were able to determine that the picture was incorrect. The tech told me it should be the same picture and measurements as the #12242002 which I attached to this message. I apologize for having that incorrect picture listed.

Thank you,

Nick

RockAuto Customer Service