Wilwood Brake set-up

[9secStage1]

Hey Guys,

Got a quick sticky question here for anyone that had installed Wilwood disc brakes.

1. Bought the kit for the '67-72 Chevelle, Disc/Drum Spindle

My '70 GS orig. had drums and since went to factory discs and then back to drums. I am pretty certain that the factory drum spindles were re-installed, though it has been some 10 years ago. The Wildood kit does not install properly as the caliper bracket top bolt is way too large for the spindle top hole. Also the inner bearing is too small, not fitting on the spindle. I tripled checked the part numbers to the catalog to the instructions and to the application of 67-72 Chevelle. As for Buick applications...don't ask, none exists for 70-72 Skylark body by Wilwood. But I know the Chevelle kit should work. I am wondering if the factory drum spindles are different than the factory disc spindles. And if this Wilwood kit is designed only to swap factory disc to racing Wilwood disc. Where as the factory drum spindle would need to be replaced. That may be my answer, just trying to pick some brains here. I already e-mailed Wilwood the same and if they sell a conversion kit with the proper bearing and hardware. But I know on this site we usually get immediate response.

Thanks
Rick Martinez

[BUICK528]

I have the same exact Wilwood kit on my car, and I had to use the drum brake spindles.

J

[Bill Lankford]

Hi Rick,

I also have the Wilwood frount & rear disc setup on my 70. I used the stock drum spindles and had to drill and retap the top hole. I had no problem with bearing fit, maybe you have the stock disc spindle which the kit is not made for.

Bill

[Bruce Hunter]

Hi Rick, what part# do you have for the front disc from wilwood, are they the racing set up or h/d version? I spoke to willwood last fall and ended up with part # 140-2285-b for the front of my 71' which has orig. disc front and drum rear, I will be getting the rear set up soonas well, but that will be different as I have large Dia. ford bearings on the rear axle, so part number will be diff for the rear setup for my carthan most stock type rearends.
Bruce

[9secStage1]

Thanks guys,

Bruce the kit is for medium duty 2800 pound car. I did check and triple check the inner bearings. I even bought another set at a local auto parts store (fairly cheap $16 pair) Surprisingly the original, new ones, and the Wilwood inner bearing all have the same part number which also matched the parts book. Yet the Wilwood will not fit, a tad too tight. Maybe a defected set. Anyway that problem solved as both disc and drum do share the same size bearings and I will be using the inner bearings I bought today.

As for the top bolt on the spindle, Bill I was told the same as what you did, by the tech guys at Wilwood, that I would have to drill and tap the factory 1/2" threaded hole to fit the Wilwood 5/8" bolt which they recommend doing for strength. I did check and saw in the Buick parts book the spindles are different from the factory disc to drum. On my GS I do have the factory drum spindle. Also in the book it appears the top spindle bolt is smaller in diameter and length. So I am figuring that a factory disc spindle would fit with no mods. But just try and find only a disc spindle, plus swapping it is a pain in the rear. So this weekend I'll be drilling out and re-tapping the upper spindle hole for the 5/8" bolt and then I can move onto the next winter project....moving the engine back on the Electra block mounting holes. (since installing the ultra-bell it gives you plenting of room between the firewall and engine), then I can order my aluminum driveshaft. Hey Bruce, I'm look'in to clean some clocks at Norwalk!:eek2:

Thanks again,
Rick