Converting drum brakes to disc brakes

It requires a solid understanding of automotive maintenance and repair, as well as a wide array of tools. Get an MCM Flag for your garage. This video will show you how to convert your drum brakes to disc brakes. I will show you the basics. Plus, drum brakes require constant adjustments to maintain their full braking power, while disc brakes require no adjustment at all.

While old muscle cars are cool, drum brakes are not. There probably isn’t a breathed-on Camaro, Cutlass, Tempest, or Buick Special left in the world that doesn’t already have front disc brakes. Chevy truck owners improve braking performance with slotted or vented rotors, while Mustang drivers upgrade to Cobra brakes and Mopar enthusiasts choose a disc brake conversion. The total time I spent on this project was about 6. I love making wheels, so I laced my own front and rear wheels to my own specifications. Disc brakes have proven their superiority to such an extent that even the most hard-core restoration enthusiasts are coming around to the idea of dumping their stock front drums in favor of disc brakes.

Provided that you have the right parts, this wise retrofit may prove no more difficult than a standard drum replacement. This is where the difference between drum brakes and disc brakes becomes pronounced. Browse our selection to choose the front disc brake conversion kit that best suits your needs.

This friction becomes the stopping force of the car. This thread is in response to the Nicoclub Beatdown in which Red Devil posed the question of why not convert the rear drum brakes to disc brakes instead in reference to pictures of the car in the thread. Classic Disc Brakes We are very proud to offer high quality disc brake conversions for almost all classic cars. From Camaro and Mustang to Cadillac and Corvette, our kits are well made and easy to install.

Check out how to install a disc brake conversion kit by Classic Performance Products! The two types of brakes used on modern cars are disc breaks and drum breaks. All new cars have disc brakes on the front wheels, while the rear wheels may use either disc or drum brakes. Find great deals on eBay for drum disc brake conversion kit chevy.

In my case, I wanted to convert it from a drum brake to a disc for my ongoing dual-sport conversion. Let me know in the comments if you get stuck.

To put it quite plainly, disc brakes are safer. Drum to Disc brake conversion.

Even when your drum brakes are working perfectly, disc brakes are much more powerful. Although some will say that upgrading brakes is a performance issue (and it is), converting from drum to disc brake technology also enhances safety. There are so many variables, including distracted drivers and wet, slippery surfaces, beyond our control. When I did my first drum - to-disc conversion, I was scared I was going to muck things up and ruin my car. I barely had the money for the kit, which meant I had no money to fix any problems I created.

Although drum brakes are adequate at stopping modern vehicles, they are an outdated design with many more components than a comparable disc brake setup. Quite literally a drum brake is a small round drum that has a set of shoes inside of it. The drum brake will rotate alongside the wheel and when the brake pedal is applie the shoes are forced against the sides of the drum and the wheel is slowed.

The Titan Disc Brakes Installation Manual literally has just two pages of steps for converting your trailer’s drum brakes to their hydraulic over electric system. That should tell you how simple the procedure is. To begin the conversion from drum to disc brakes , it is best to start at the front of the trailer.

Answered by a verified Motorcycle Mechanic We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Ask any professional automotive tuner or hot rodder about upgrading the stopping power of drum brakes , and they`ll tell you to ditch the drums completely and make an. Disc brakes work differently: They don’t have the same issues that drum brakes do, making them more reliable and safer. Converting Your Brakes Doesn’t Have to be Difficult It can take some time and a conversion kit to transfer your braking system, however, the payoff is peace of mind and saving money over time. Ideally you need a frame with disc brake mounts, wheels with disc brake hubs and a set of disc brakes.

The discs bolt onto the hubs using hex bolts. The callipers bolt on to the mounts. Wilwood Disc Brakes offers the largest selection of bolt-on brake kits with specifically engineered and matched groups of components designed to provide superior brake system performance and custom appeal over a wide range of applications. For boat trailer application, hydraulic surge brakes are the most commonly used trailer braking system.

Surge brake systems can be used with either drum or disc brakes. I have two floor jacks and a Sears Mechanic tool set along with torque wrenches and extensions. A multitude of RV owners are converting their fifth wheel brake systems over from drum brakes to disc brakes and RV businesses are starting to take notice of the trend. By converting to disc brakes , you have a better selection of wheels to choose from, a larger selection of suspension modifications, and improved performance with power brakes being a big bonus.

How do I change the rear disc brakes on a ford foc. I need directions on how to change disk brakes on. Changed rear disc brakes on Pontiac Grand Prix, go. Disc Brake Conversion Instructions JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser.

For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This may mean that you will have to do more than simply replace the old brakes. On the original drum brakes it was not strong enough to activate the E brake, just overcome the slack. However switching to a single, weaker ACE spring in the new disc setup, we needed another set of springs to help pull the cables back to release the E brake shoes.

Converting the rear drum brakes to disc on our Chevy was a bit more work than the front since the axles needed to come out. Oh well, at least it was a good excuse to change the old differential fluid. The actual hydraulic operation of disk brakes are different than drum brakes. As an example, drum brakes need to have a residual low pressure to them, all the time. It is the enginering behind disc VS drum brakes.

In fact, you might end up with a mushy pedal if you do the conversion. You can’t do that with disc brakes. Personally, I think you should stick with the drum brakes. If you want a vehicle with rear disc brakes , buy a vehicle with rear disc brakes. Most disc brake kits will include a later-style master, so converting from drum to disc will automatically give you the safer dual master cylinder.

Disc and drum brakes are both based on a hydraulic pressure system. Braking starts with a mechanical force — your foot pressing the brake pedal. A piston compresses brake fluid inside the master cylinder located under your vehicle’s hood near your engine. The valve lets you adjust the pressure to the rear. If I did attached the picture right, you should see the prop.

Classic Industries offers a wide selection of Brake Components for your Chevrolet Truck.