Brake upgrade questions

[chevynut]

So are drop spindles not the way to go? i do like the idea of lowering the front end a bit but would my tires be more likely to rub?

IMO if you want a 2" drop, go with dropped spindles. If you only want 1" you could get by with lowering springs. The front suspension only has 3 1/2" of travel, so once you start dropping it 2" with lowering springs you're probably going to bounce off the a-arm bumper a lot.

What size tires do you have on front, and what is your wheel offset? Anytime you lower a car you're more likely to have rubbing problems, but not necessarily. If you lower the car 2-3" and your tires are more than about 67.5" wide on the outside to outside, you're getting close to rubbing on sharp turns at full lock. Keep in mind that if a suspension compresses on a sharp turn, it's just like having a front drop.

[Josh57]

I will have to measure everything tonight I'm not set on lowering the car i do like the way it looks but i was under the assumption that by going with drop spindles i would eliminate moving the tires out any ensuring they would not rub. How exactly do i measure wheel offset I am quite new to all of this.

[chevynut]

I will have to measure everything tonight I'm not set on lowering the car i do like the way it looks but i was under the assumption that by going with drop spindles i would eliminate moving the tires out any ensuring they would not rub.

It all depends on tire size and wheel backspacing/offset.

How exactly do i measure wheel offset I am quite new to all of this.

Offset is how far off -center the wheel mounting surface is:





Backspacing is the measurement from the inboard side of the wheel flange to the mounting surface:



A 7" wheel is actually 8" wide at the outside of the flanges. Wheel width is specified at the INSIDE edge of the flanges. So a zero offset 7" wheel would actually have 4" backspacing, not 3.5". That's because backspacing is measured outside of the back flange.

[Josh57]

Took some quick measurements last night and found i am real close to 68" from outside the tires. Front tire size is 235 60R15. I like the idea of dropping 2" so i am hoping to go with a drop spindle as well. I have seen some kits actually state they move the wheels in 1/4". I didn't get a chance to measure the offset or backspacing of my rims yet but hope to have time tonight.

[mikes55]

I have a brand new set of 11/2 inch lowering springs and brand new Monroe sense-trac nitrogen gas filled front shocks that go with the springs for $100.00.

[Josh57]

https://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.asp...9-03029b86133b

I am looking at going with this kit to make sure i don't move my wheels out any. Thoughts?

[BamaNomad]

That one moves the wheels IN about 3/16"... Don't forget that you can have issues with rubbing on the INSIDE of the tire as well... with big wheels/tires... 235/60-15 sounds big to me. Measure twice.. Cut once..

[chevynut]

Did you ever get a chance to measure your wheel offset?

[Bihili]

I am looking to upgrade the drum brakes on my 57 210.

First thing I would check is the vacuum on your engine. Why???

If you are going to upgrade to a vacuum booster on power disc brakes you need at least 18 lbs. of vacuum for the booster to function properly.

If you have a radical cam and low vacuum then a hydoboost may be the solution but you need a power steering pump for the hydroboost.
However upgrading your steering and braking is a good thing.

[markm]

First thing I would check is the vacuum on your engine. Why???

If you are going to upgrade to a vacuum booster on power disc brakes you need at least 18 lbs. of vacuum for the booster to function properly.

If you have a radical cam and low vacuum then a hydoboost may be the solution but you need a power steering pump for the hydroboost.
However upgrading your steering and braking is a good thing.

I agree, unless you have a good factory PB system like my 67 SS 350. It worked good at 14 Inches of vacuum , but when I switched to a Cam that had 8 at idle I almost hit the mailbox backing out for the initial test drive. Today same car with a Duntov 30-30 they work fine and I believe I have about 12 inch's of vac.at idle. Most aftermarket small stuff probably needs all it can get but I doubt even they need 18 pounds.