The Kelsey-Hayes Disk Brake Swap Thread

Yes, if you are swapping the spindle you will have to back off the preload on the t-bars.

Upper ball joint takes a special socket. It can be done at home. The upper ball joint is easier to do with the control arm still attached after the spindle is out, it takes a bit of leverage to get the ball joint in and out. I use a rather large breaker bar to get it moving. Lower is standard, "normal" hardware. For the lower you will have to remove the rotor or drum to get to the bolt heads. You will have to hold the bolt stationary while you break the nuts free. You will want to at least loosen these a little before you remove the spindle from the car. If you are using an impact gun on the floor or bench it is no big deal, but it is nice to have the car hold the spindle when you break those bolts free initially.

The larger upper ball joint / different control arm that you probably heard about is needed when swapping to '73-'76 A-body single piston style brakes and the matching spindle. The older style K-H disc spindle uses the smaller ball joint.