Post by eflow on Mar 27, 2006 15:52:38 GMT -5
I dropped in a front disc brake kit from rcmotorsports.net. Part number RC-132. The kit includes discs, calipers, bearings, brackets, hardware and hoses. The kit is $349. Shipping was about $60 because of the weight. It is a direct bolt on to the Meteor OEM spindle. The rotor is from a Granada but the calipers are from a 87-88 Monte Carlo. According to the seller the Ford caliper would require a 90 degree fitting which would raise the price by almost $60. That sounds steep to me but that's what he said.
I started with stripping every thing down to the spindle. I had the same problem on both sides, the long bolt on the drum thru the spindle is a real bear to get out. Use some WD40 to loosen it up. I still ended up using a small crow bar to get it loose.
The only mod to the stock setup is trimming the stearing stop so it doesn't smack into the brake line fitting on the caliper. Turn the wheel all the way over and scribe a line flush with the top of the spindle arm. Then pull the stop out and cut off the top and clean up with a grinder. Repeat on the other side. I used the end from the first as a guide for the second cut. Re-install and tighten to 60-70 lbs of torque.
The bracket bolts to the spindle with nice grade 8 hardware and nylon locking nuts. The rotors are next. The rotors come with races installed but according to the seller sometimes they come from the manufacturer with the wrong races installed. For safety they recomend removing the installed races and putting in correct set that is supplied with the bearings. So a little bit of time was taken up with knocking them out and installing the correct ones. I took the rotors to a friend's shop and used his hydraulic press. That made the job smooth and correct. Luckly when I got home Ca was there waiting for me so he and I packed the bearings, installed them and the grease seal, packed the rotor and installed the front bearings. Then the whole thing went on the spindle. The original washer, nut, and castlated cover are reused and then a cotter pin. New dust covers packed with grease finish it off.
The calipers slide right into the bracket over the rotor. Then the supplied brake line with bajo fittings. A quick note. The instructions have you putting the lines on after the caliper is in place. This was a big pain. Instead, install the brake line first then install the caliper.
The final step is to hook up the new line to the hard brake line and bleed. My lines are so rusted that I will replace them next weekend. Better safe than sorry.
In all the job is fairly straight ahead. I would say if you're a first timer like me the job will take you about 4 hours depending on how much trouble the old brakes give you removing them and how much clean up there is to do. Also get the new races installed ahead of time. This will save the frustration of running out mid job. With Ca's help the second side went together in about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. I give this kit a big thumbs up. No running around looking for parts or pulling apart the front suspension. Just remove the old and bolt on the new. A great way to go for first timers or those with limited time and or experience.
I started with stripping every thing down to the spindle. I had the same problem on both sides, the long bolt on the drum thru the spindle is a real bear to get out. Use some WD40 to loosen it up. I still ended up using a small crow bar to get it loose.
The only mod to the stock setup is trimming the stearing stop so it doesn't smack into the brake line fitting on the caliper. Turn the wheel all the way over and scribe a line flush with the top of the spindle arm. Then pull the stop out and cut off the top and clean up with a grinder. Repeat on the other side. I used the end from the first as a guide for the second cut. Re-install and tighten to 60-70 lbs of torque.
The bracket bolts to the spindle with nice grade 8 hardware and nylon locking nuts. The rotors are next. The rotors come with races installed but according to the seller sometimes they come from the manufacturer with the wrong races installed. For safety they recomend removing the installed races and putting in correct set that is supplied with the bearings. So a little bit of time was taken up with knocking them out and installing the correct ones. I took the rotors to a friend's shop and used his hydraulic press. That made the job smooth and correct. Luckly when I got home Ca was there waiting for me so he and I packed the bearings, installed them and the grease seal, packed the rotor and installed the front bearings. Then the whole thing went on the spindle. The original washer, nut, and castlated cover are reused and then a cotter pin. New dust covers packed with grease finish it off.
The calipers slide right into the bracket over the rotor. Then the supplied brake line with bajo fittings. A quick note. The instructions have you putting the lines on after the caliper is in place. This was a big pain. Instead, install the brake line first then install the caliper.
The final step is to hook up the new line to the hard brake line and bleed. My lines are so rusted that I will replace them next weekend. Better safe than sorry.
In all the job is fairly straight ahead. I would say if you're a first timer like me the job will take you about 4 hours depending on how much trouble the old brakes give you removing them and how much clean up there is to do. Also get the new races installed ahead of time. This will save the frustration of running out mid job. With Ca's help the second side went together in about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. I give this kit a big thumbs up. No running around looking for parts or pulling apart the front suspension. Just remove the old and bolt on the new. A great way to go for first timers or those with limited time and or experience.
after all there primary funtion is parts- right? ;D
