Precision measuring tools: dial indicators and mounting options

[dpilot83]

I have very few precision measuring devices. In fact, the closest thing I have is a Brown and Sharpe vernier caliper.

My wife's minivan has a serious problem of wanting to "warp" the rotor prematurely. I do not believe it to be due to driving habits. I am beginning to suspect there may be excess runout on the rotor(s) induced by the hub. I would like to be able to check this.

I see lots of cheap kits for dial indicators designed for checking rotor runout but it has occurred to me that I could use a dial indicator for many things and it may instead be wise to buy a quality Starrett or Mitutoyo dial indicator and then buy various accessories for mounting it how I would like to mount it.

I am struggling to find a clamping solution (like a clamp mounted flex arm) that I can buy separately and will work with a dial indicator of my choosing. Instead, they seem to come as a kit which includes both the mounting solution and a cheap dial indicator.

Does what I'm looking for exist? Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[hautpot]

Noga are widely used for indicator clamping. They are made in Israel and affordable.

 

[Packard V8]

Just keep in mind there are many used pieces out there and one can always upgrade or use additional metrology. For what you're wanting to do measuring rotor runout, the cheapo Chicom/Taiwan rigid post/magnetic base on a jack stand works well.

jack vines

 

[sberry]

Are you using premium parts? If so that's part of the problem, the van is rejecting it. Use a cheap rotor from white box over the counter at the parts store along with cheapest pads, most problems go away.
I have an indicator,,, hasn't been out of the box in 20 yrs. I really could get by with 2 things, 1 mostly, an HF electronic dial caliper and a cheap set of bore gages.

 

[Dave455]

Yes, they exist!

Google 'Eclipse magnetic base' send take your pick!

There are many others though!

 

[zkling]

Honestly the HF kit isn't that bad. See if you can rent one at your local auto parts store. Cheap (read china) indicators are suprisingly accurate, especially for what you are doing.

 

[guy48065]

Spendy dial indicators are no more accurate then cheap Chinese ones--they just "feel" better. Buy a cheap indicator & spend extra on the attachments. Good ones are a joy to use, cheap ones are a nightmare.

 

[Kevin54]

Spendy dial indicators are no more accurate then cheap Chinese ones--they just "feel" better. Buy a cheap indicator & spend extra on the attachments. Good ones are a joy to use, cheap ones are a nightmare.

^^^^THIS

A dial indicator is really not a precision instrument, but it is more of a reference instrument. What does matter is having a clamping device that will stay stationary instead of slightly moving around which will throw the best of indicators off. I find that some of the indicators and magnetic bases that you can find at swap meets are just as good as a high dollar Starrett, and they only run something like $35.00 for the indicator and base.

 

[VocaTexas]

I got a dial indicator for doing just what you are. I got mine at Harbor Freight, and it reads perfectly. If I was doing high-precision machining for a living, I would buy an expensive one. For 'shade-tree mechanics', there isn't anything wrong with the HF dial indicator.

 

[Kevin54]

I got a dial indicator for doing just what you are. I got mine at Harbor Freight, and it reads perfectly. If I was doing high-precision machining for a living, I would buy an expensive one. For 'shade-tree mechanics', there isn't anything wrong with the HF dial indicator.

Even for high precision machining, an indicator is still at best a reference gage.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Sort of on topic...
I think you are right to measure the run-out - it's what I'd do.

Also might be brake pad material depositing unevenly (imprinting) on the rotor, which can happen if the brakes get real hot from, say, a sticking caliper, and then you sit with the brakes on while the rotor is still super hot. That will feel like a warped rotor.

Here's a good read on the subject that comes up a lot:

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/-warped-brake-disc-and-other-myths

Forgive me if I'm posting what you already know.

Cheers.