Rear disc brakes on the cheap

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77 K20

77 K20

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Not to rain on anyone's parade but I did the disc brake conversion on my 8 lug and now have an odd issue. After only 7,000 miles the inside rear pad on the driver's side was completely gone and it gouged the rotor. I verified that the caliper could still float from side to side. After replacing the bad pad I've been driving it and monitoring the temperature with an IR thermometer. Still have no idea why one pad was destroyed so quickly.
Something to watch out for- don't know if it is typical or I'm just "lucky".
 
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thompson22

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This pic is of the completed look of the Impala SS brackets, rotors and calipers. This set up will not have the use of he emergency/park brake. I'm ok with not having a park brake on my truck. This pic is of a fellow club member's rear disc set up using the Impala parts. As I do mine i will post pics.
 
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thompson22

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77 K20 said:
Not to rain on anyone's parade but I did the disc brake conversion on my 8 lug and now have an odd issue. After only 7,000 miles the inside rear pad on the driver's side was completely gone and it gouged the rotor. I verified that the caliper could still float from side to side. After replacing the bad pad I've been driving it and monitoring the temperature with an IR thermometer. Still have no idea why one pad was destroyed so quickly.
Something to watch out for- don't know if it is typical or I'm just "lucky".
Click to expand...

I wonder if it could be something with the caliper???
 
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thompson22

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smoothandlow84 said:
This thread is like a sasquatch...reported sightings, but no pics. I too am interested, but not willing to throw money at parts that wont work. I know someone out there has done this already.
Click to expand...

I just posted pics of the Impala SS set up I'm in the process of starting
 
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thompson22

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Jarhead79 said:
Lol, same here, my only hold up is the rear brake lines and whether or not I can go without a proportioning valve. I checked at my part time job and all the prices are about right for the 99 to 2000 awd astro van setup. With my discount it's rreally worth it to upgrade vs drums, etc[/QUOTE

I just posted pics of the 94-96 Impala SS set up I'm in the process of doing. Once complete I'm going to test without using a proportioning valve and see how it feels. But I may install it later. I've been told it will work without the proportioning valve, but we'll see.
Click to expand...
 
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Installed

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Got my rear disc brake set up done. I used slotted and drilled rotors, calipers, and a custom caliper bracket all from a 95 Impala SS. All left to do is run the brake lines and fill the rear back up with the 80W-90 fluid and bleed the brakes.
 
74propu

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Man that looks good but we need more pics and a parts list:cheers:
 
Luisjp

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I would also like to see a list of part numberso and prices if possible.
 
smoothandlow84

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Mee toooooo!!
 
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74 Shortbed

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Waiting patiently.
 
Jrgunn5150

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This is the cheap weld on caliper bracket,

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Weld-On-1978-88-GM-Metric-Caliper-Bracket,21282.html

Using that, you take your axle shafts out, all the drum stuff off, then reinstall your axle shaft.

Bolt your AStro, or rotor of choice on with a couple lug nuts, bolt your caliper of choice to the bracket, load with pads, and drop over rotor.

Apply air to the caliper to force the piston out and center the pads over the rotor. Mark the location of the bracket, check for squareness, etc.

Make sure pads are fully over rotor, last time I had to grind my bracket to get it to sit down on the rotor fully. The tops of my pads weren't on the rotor. Also make sure caliper bleeders are the highest point on the caliper.

Once you have it sorted out, tack it, bolt it all back up, check for clearance, crank your welder up to whatever it will do and burn it home.

I make new over axle lines to the block, and use front lines from the caliper to the shorter hard line.

Then this prop valve,

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/6302...OtqcnEkNNaq24rznouABuZ608t0JgeRHC6xoCW6fw_wcB

I've done it to a couple newer trucks, usually because the drums are toast and I don't feel like fighting them anymore. I'll be doing it to my 79 in a few months and will get pics then.
 
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74 Shortbed

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Thanks for the write up.:happy160:
 
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radio2000

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Just wanted to bring this back alive.
Anyone ever do a step by step with the Impala setup?


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