Disc brakes....I'm sane! Sort of.

[akaFrankCastle]

AA ordered the wrong wheel studs for me. No surprise there. Plus I'm waiting on my new brake lines to arrive. So I decided to mock everything up tonight to see if there were any more issue that would prevent me from finishing this install. And wouldn't you know it!!!

While test fitting the calipers and pads, I ran in to a clearance issue between the inner pad and the rotor. Here's some snapshots.

Spindle and backing plate mounted. Both from a 76 K10 4x4.


Clearance between the rotor and the rear of the backing plate.


Obvious lack of room for the pad.


Even tight with the pad from the outside of the backing plate.


So what am I missing here? I'm using the previously mentioned spindles and backing plates from a 76 K10 and rotors and hubs (new) for a 77 Bronco. Seems like there is a missing piece between the rear of the hub and the spindle that should be giving me the clearance needed to fit these pads.

[JGZ]

I think you have your backing plates clocked wrong.

[Viperwolf1]

Yes. They are clocked one hole off. Everything else looks and sounds right.

[JGZ]

So there.

[akaFrankCastle]

Clocked one hole couterclockwise. Still having clearance issues with the pad.

[Viperwolf1]

Spindles, backing plates, pads and calipers are all from same vehicle with a D44? I think GM went with the corporate front axle half way through '76.

Look at this pic and compare your old and new spindles. Drum is left, disk is right.
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~i6735189/spindles.jpg

[akaFrankCastle]

Spindles, backing plates, pads and calipers are all from same vehicle with a D44? I think GM went with the corporate front axle half way through '76.

Spindles and backing plates from the same truck. Pads and calipers ordered new for the same make model.

[Viperwolf1]

Compare the length of old and new spindles.

[cobshane]

Did you say 77 hub and rotors. I thought you need 78/79 bronco hubs and rotors

[akaFrankCastle]

Did you say 77 hub and rotors. I thought you need 78/79 bronco hubs and rotors

According to this list, posted by a random guy I've never met , 77 hubs and rotors should be compliant.

http://classicbroncos.com/disc-list.shtml

[akaFrankCastle]

Compare the length of old and new spindles.

Just so happens I snapped this in anticipation of a tech write up.

D44 Drum spindle; 76 K10 Disc spindle; 77 K20 Disc spindle

[Viperwolf1]

Those spindles aren't right. They look like drum spindles. The height of the area marked below should be similar to the height on the 3/4 ton spindle.

[akaFrankCastle]

Awesome. Guess I need to hit the yard again.

[cobshane]

So the 76-77 rotors are the same as the big broncos

[cobshane]

So the 76-77 rotors are the same as the big broncos

Answered my own question there the same from 76-86

[akaFrankCastle]

Correct. Also, the bearings used on Ford 44s seem to be the same from 72 to 86, regardless of disc or drum. A37 would be the National kit number for an inner bearing and A35 for the outer bearing.

[cobshane]

Don't mind me im just along for the ride.
So was the problem with the spindles. Were they pre pulled parts or somthing else

[Viperwolf1]

BTW, you can have the 3/4 ton spindles machined to accept the A37 bearing.

[Colorado75bronc]

not to say that the chevy brake swap is a bad idea zack, but i would just do the 76-79 f-150 or 78-79 bronco knuckle out swap and get the inserts for the tie rods, i think its a much simpler way to go, ya its more expensive, but much better in the long run

[akaFrankCastle]

not to say that the chevy brake swap is a bad idea zack, but i would just do the 76-79 f-150 or 78-79 bronco knuckle out swap and get the inserts for the tie rods, i think its a much simpler way to go, ya its more expensive, but much better in the long run

Can't give up Corey Never hear the end of it from the wife.
Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the caliper sliding system on the Ford calipers.

Granted, had I gone with the Ford knuckles out, I'd probably have been done 4 days ago.

[Colorado75bronc]

i understand you're reasoning, lol, but on a side note, i've never had a problem with the ford setup, and i think my fords stop much better than most older chebby's i've driven

[BNC04]

Pretty good write up on the conversion.

http://www.broncofix.com/viewtopic.php?t=261592

Brett

[akaFrankCastle]

Pretty good write up on the install. Thanks.

Unfortunately, my problem seems to persist. I did quite a bit of research in the Dana catalogs last night. I thought Viper might be right on my spindle appearing too much like my drum spindles. After about an hour of research I was able to conclude this is not the case. Dana used two spindles in the 70s Dana 44 for Chevy and Jeep applications. All of the Dana part numbers I was able to pull up, back to 71/72 for Chevy applications listed the same number for the spindle. 76.5 marked the end of the compatible spindle and the change to the thicker diameter "3/4 ton" spindle.

Right now I'm beginning to think my rotor is incorrect. Any chance one of you disc guys could take a measurement of the length between the flat surface where the hub marries with the rotor to the front face and the rotor?

Looking for the measurement indicated in the red circle below.

[cobshane]

I don't think it can be the.rotors after the research I did unless they gave you the wrong rotors. I would look towards the hub. I am pulli.g a wheel right now.

[cobshane]

I can't believe this has turned into so a nightmare for you.

[Viperwolf1]

Looks like right at 2".

[cobshane]

1 1/2 inch

[cobshane]

That's not including the hub

[akaFrankCastle]

I don't think it can be the.rotors after the research I did unless they gave you the wrong rotors. I would look towards the hub. I am pulli.g a wheel right now.

I'm thinking I might have ended up with just that: the wrong rotors.

[Viperwolf1]

That's not including the hub

Oops. I measured rotor surface to WMS. Probably 1/2" for hub flange.