Disc Brake Conversion - A Binding Proposition

Before bolting the 10-inch brake spindles to the car, remove the threads in the lower ball-joint attaching holes using a 1/2-inch drill bit. This is done to accommodate the larger attaching bolt.

Here is a view of the back of the spindle before mounting to the car with the brake assembly installed.

The caliper bracket attaches to the spindle, and then the rotor is installed, and, finally, the caliper. Once everything is on the car, the lower ball-joint bolts are torqued to 110 lb-ft and the upper bolts to 55 lb-ft.

SSBC is able to accommodate either a 4- or 4 1/2-inch bolt circle with these rotors.

Pick the one you want and knock out the studs for the other size.

Install the caliper mount first with the two 7/16-inch bolt and lock washers in the top two mounting holes. Only tighten the bolts finger-tight at this time.

The key to mounting the rotors to the 10-inch spindles has to do with this spacer bushing. This bushing allows the use of the larger bearing and seal.

Make sure to pack the rotor's bearings with grease before you install them on the spindle. Also, never overtighten the spindle nut, as premature wear of the bearing and/or race will result. Proper tightening involves spinning the rotor while tightening the nut to 17-25 lb-ft, loosening the nut 1/2 turn, and then retorqueing the nut to 10-15 lb-ft. You may need to move the nut slightly, one way or the other, in order to get the cotter pin in place. Just make sure the rotor spins freely when finished.

When mounting the calipers to the bracket, you may need to use the supplied washer/spacers to get the caliper to ride directly between both brake pads without rubbing either one.