Another front disc brake alternative...

Here is an auction selling special brackets for mounting disc brakes on the front of a maverick without changing the drum brake spindles. It uses:

* 1985-89 Buick Park Avenue front rotors (4-1/2" bolt circle)
* 1983-97 Chevrolet S10 4WD calipers and pads
* 1979-85 Cadillac Eldorado front hoses

The ebay seller's ID is: scarebird



Check out the auction here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964...ewItemQQcategoryZ33564QQitemZ8017056899QQrdZ1


Looks interesting.

 

Jim Allen has some sort of GM disc setup on his Mav.

 

Jim Allens car is like mine with a M2, for them you can buy a bolt on bracket that uses the GM metric caliper and the mav/granada rotor and bearings/seals.

 

He's local. I'll have to check him out...

 

Go to Stangnet and do a search on this swap.
It will be many times discussed in the classic forum.
Probably 2/3s of the folks that have used this swap on their Stangs complain.
Not about the swap itself, but the inherent poor quality of the GM calipers and rotors.
Just thought I'd give that info and where to follow up...
Dave

 

That's interesting because when I talked to Jim Allen about it at Roundup he said he used the GM parts because they are better than Ford's. Personally I find that hard to believe.

 

The Stangnet guys complain of stuck calipers and instant warp rotors...
Doesn't sound good to me.
If one or two guys complained, I wouldn't even mention it.
However, the majority complain, and the issues are similar.
Food for thought.
I am not dumping on the swap myself. I think it is ingenious and I haven't done it myself to make complaints.
Dave

 

I've never had the gm calipers stick on me....on anything....as for the rotors they are not gm anyway.......and the calipers probably depend on who they were rebuilt by........and the rotors for that fact it on them it does make a difference as to where they are made as for the quality.

 

We recommend that you use a quality rebuilt caliper, or if equipped and capable, do it yourself. Sticking issues are the direct result of "bargain" rebuilders, not manufacturer. We chose GM calipers due to cost, pad selection, availibility and ease of mounting. We have heard no issues ourselves about this from our customers. Most Ford calipers require a machined slider, ala Granada/late Maverick.

We are in the final stages of a setup that will use Mustang/Mav/Comet unicast rotors. They run $37 dollars at NAPA and have the correct small center hub. These brackets were a nightmare to get to fit behind the axle centerline, but it looks like a winner.

 

Thanks for checking in here Scarebird. I know I look forward to what you are doing with the unicast rotors. With factory disc brake set-ups becoming scarce....it is nice to see a low cost alternative.

 

Having done thousands of brake jobs I will say that the S10 calipers do tend to stick along with many other Gm calipers. The good thing is they are fairly inexpensive. I run this same caliper on the back of my car.

 

What is your primary reason for using the hub/rotor combo?
Is it more stable, brake better, longer lasting?

I am just curious...
In truth, I very much like being able to swap a rotor without disturbing the hub.
The kit that does this is a stroke of genius IMO.
I just worry about some of the feedback I have heard on other Ford boards.
Again, not about the product, just the lack of durable parts.

I am no longer in need of a kit now though. I was just given a set of Fairlane spindles and picked up loaded calipers and unit rotors from eBay for a heck of a deal.
My other Mav has a set of Granada brakes waiting for it...
Maybe I'll try the retrofit kit on my next one. Hopefully that will be soon.
Dave

 

Ratio,

We went to SEMA this fall and chatted with Scott Drake. They were not interested in the hat style rotor, as it required the customer to go to a machine shop. We found this to be hindering sales, as most simply want to be able to change out parts in an afternoon and not dope around with lathes and such. As far as costs go, our setup was unbeatable. We are examining the 68-73 Ford caliper, but do not like what we see.