1957- drum to disc step by step...

[Scarebird]

If it is OK with the management of this website, we will do a little documentary on how we convert a drum spindle to disc.

I ordered a spindle, drum and hub from French Lake Auto Parts (FLAP) http://www.frenchlakeautoparts.com/ . Talked to Floyd, the ower, knows his onions. According to Hollander, 1957 is all by itself. Wonderfull. We ordered a 55,56,57,58 and 65 rear housing for test fit and engineering purposes. It arrived a week later, a somewhat rounded package that most likely knocked the crap out of the surrounding DVD players and other stuff UPS hauls. We opened it up and this was what we found:

[Scarebird]

First order it to get the drum off. We did a 55 and it was a battle royale! Time to be smarter than the drum... 1955-57's use bolts instead of lugnuts, and left handed spindle nuts. So I took three of the lug bolts and welded them up to some long 3/8" bolts. Then used a gear puller...

It came halfway off- then stopped cold. I though that the shoes were wedged, so I tucked a torch inside and zapped the adjuster, realising then that removing the outer ball bearing would be a good idea...

[DualQuad55]

I'll let that one go, you are a "DISC BRAKE GUY".
I do admire the work harder not smarter attitude though. I use it all too often myself. The make BIG hammers for a reason, right. I have a pry bar in my tool box so big it scares parts off the cars!