Pro Touring on a budget
So, got home and decided to get the new Disc brakes that I got from MrMan on today.
Started with taking the whole spindle, drum assembly off. (my dad show me how to do the passenger side, then I did the driver's side, with some help and yelling.)
Then when attempting to put the new spindle on, we ran into a problem. While I had heard that you can reuse the lower ball joint, that simply isn't true. You can drill it out but that leaves you very little material for the bolts to sit in, and we weren't willing to risk it, so I bought a set of 74 scamp lower ball joints, works just fine with the old tie rod ends. So while I was at the store getting LBJs, dad found out that the seals wouldn't fit while putting the bearings in the rotors, I get a set of seals, come back home, and they are the same as the ones I got from MrMan. So we went up to Bearings Inc. and bought a new set of seals. They are Chicago Rawhide (CR) part number 19226. We got back home, put the seals in and they fit perfectly. We then put the rotor on the spindles.
The rest of it was pretty straight forward. Put the calipers on, swore at the little shim on the brake line connections, and bled the brakes. I'm now waiting for the rear disc conversion kit from Dr. Diff as well as a set of ball joint sleeves that will allow me to reuse the ball joints on the UCA. (which are brand new)
I had 1 issue on the driver's side. Unlike the passenger side, the bump stop for the UCA was actually intact after 45 years so I couldn't get it back at least partly together for now. Once we get weight on it, it'll pop right in.
So everything is all good, and waiting on the next thing to do.
notes:
1. you need at least the spindles, caliper brackets, and dust shields, and the bolts for all three. Everything else can be bought off the shelf.
2. The rotors come with bearing races. You'll have to buy the bearings separately.
3. lower ball joints from a 73-76 Dart, Duster, Demon, Scamp will work and are almost required for the swap.
4. The stock dust seals on the back of the spindles DO NOT WORK. What you need are Chicago Rawhide (CR) 19226 seals, then just tap them in.
5. UCA from said Darts, Dusters, Demons, and Scamps are nice to have, but you can get sleeves for the uppper ball joints from Dr. Diff for 30 bucks.
6. The brakes can't really be seen on 15 inch Cragars. Which is why I'm upgrading to 17 inch Motech Streeter wheels for $498 for all four wheels and lug nuts.
So, got home and decided to get the new Disc brakes that I got from MrMan on today.
Started with taking the whole spindle, drum assembly off. (my dad show me how to do the passenger side, then I did the driver's side, with some help and yelling.)
Then when attempting to put the new spindle on, we ran into a problem. While I had heard that you can reuse the lower ball joint, that simply isn't true. You can drill it out but that leaves you very little material for the bolts to sit in, and we weren't willing to risk it, so I bought a set of 74 scamp lower ball joints, works just fine with the old tie rod ends. So while I was at the store getting LBJs, dad found out that the seals wouldn't fit while putting the bearings in the rotors, I get a set of seals, come back home, and they are the same as the ones I got from MrMan. So we went up to Bearings Inc. and bought a new set of seals. They are Chicago Rawhide (CR) part number 19226. We got back home, put the seals in and they fit perfectly. We then put the rotor on the spindles.
The rest of it was pretty straight forward. Put the calipers on, swore at the little shim on the brake line connections, and bled the brakes. I'm now waiting for the rear disc conversion kit from Dr. Diff as well as a set of ball joint sleeves that will allow me to reuse the ball joints on the UCA. (which are brand new)
I had 1 issue on the driver's side. Unlike the passenger side, the bump stop for the UCA was actually intact after 45 years so I couldn't get it back at least partly together for now. Once we get weight on it, it'll pop right in.
So everything is all good, and waiting on the next thing to do.
notes:
1. you need at least the spindles, caliper brackets, and dust shields, and the bolts for all three. Everything else can be bought off the shelf.
2. The rotors come with bearing races. You'll have to buy the bearings separately.
3. lower ball joints from a 73-76 Dart, Duster, Demon, Scamp will work and are almost required for the swap.
4. The stock dust seals on the back of the spindles DO NOT WORK. What you need are Chicago Rawhide (CR) 19226 seals, then just tap them in.
5. UCA from said Darts, Dusters, Demons, and Scamps are nice to have, but you can get sleeves for the uppper ball joints from Dr. Diff for 30 bucks.
6. The brakes can't really be seen on 15 inch Cragars. Which is why I'm upgrading to 17 inch Motech Streeter wheels for $498 for all four wheels and lug nuts.