OK, this was *supposed* to be simple...


I have a GM D44, GM Knuckles, GM "small" bearing spindles, GM "Full Coverage" backing plates, Late model F-150 ('91??) hub and rotor, fresh from the pull-a-part.

The Ford rotors hit the backing plate. Its like they are going on too far. I put a GM hub/rotor on, and they come close, but don't hit. Measured from rotor face to rear bearings, and the ford is maybe 1/16"->1/8" farther inset. Checked online part numbers and the same rotor is called out for all F-150 '79->'91


What am I doing wrong?? Everyone says its a bolt and go job, but this is a no go for me. The bearings "feel" good on the ford hubs, but I have not pulled them and checked them out.


Any clues?? Is there a differance in GM backing plates??

HELP!!


-mark

(yes, I know this is a cross post, but what the hell....)

Mark,

Could be the backing plate. Are you using the weird all in one backing plate/caliper hanger style that are like 1/8-3/16 thick?

Possibley try using the older style sheet metal ones and the cast iron caliper holders.

I cant say for sure as i have not performed this conversion as of yet. Have parts stocking up but no do yet.

I'm having a similar problem... take a look at the spindles in the picture below:
http://www.mo-4xtoys.com/torc/P0000958.jpg

All of these spindles use the smaller inner bearing. The one on the left came off of Chevy 10-bolt (btw, the spindles on a 10-bolt should have been the big bearing style so this was probably swapped on as fix. The other spindle on the same axle was a big bearing spindle:rasta: ). The one in the middle is from a Ford Bronco (not sure what year) with disc brakes and the one on the right is from a late 60's/early 70's Bronco with drum brakes.
I am also trying to use the 1/4" thick Chevy 'full coverage' caliper brackets/backing plate. I have a set of hubs from a '79 Bronco. Now if I use the spindle on the left and the Ford rotor, it looks like everything will work just fine. The problem is, I only have one of these and can't seem to find another one. If I use the one in the middle, the Ford rotor will rub the back plate. The one on the right sits too far into the knuckle and can't be used either. This picture shows the relative differences between the bearing locations on the spindles.
http://www.mo-4xtoys.com/torc/P0000959.jpg
So I need to find another spindle like the one left and then I should be in business.
Yesterday, I was at the 'yard and found an '83 RamCharger with a front 44 w/ 5 on 5.5 hubs. I pulled one off to look at the spindle and it was a big bearing spindle. I thought OK, I'll just grab the hubs and the spindles and I will be set. Well, when I got home, I found out that the flange on the Dodge hub is offset a little differently than the flange on the Ford hub. That and it is also about 0.1" thicker so the rotor would still rub on the backing plate. If it helps at all, I did notice that the overall height of the Dodge rotor was about 1/16" shorter than the Ford rotor. Back to square one. I still need another one of those spindles on the left.

thanks for the thinking John, but from the post on the General Board, looks like Spindles.


Torc, I feel your pain.

Same problem, and am probably going to take a very simular picture tonight.

On the plus side for you, I *may* have another spindle like yours on the right. You got claipers?? I'll measure mine out tonight and post it for you. if they are a match, its yours for shipping.


Another piece of good news, the pull-a-part I got my front hubs out of, also have an eairly f-100 with a RC44 that just came in (:D ). Hooper an I are going to try and get up and pull it Wednessday (or sooner). It had drum brakes, so it *may* have another set of those spindles....


I'll let you know.

-mark

Dang, Mark.

I guess I just got lucky... bolted 'em on and went. :D

1974 6-lug Dana 44 hub to hub.. 1990 F150 hubs and rotors.. "smaller" caliper brackets..

Originally posted by RustoleumWhite
thanks for the thinking John, but from the post on the General Board, looks like Spindles.


Torc, I feel your pain.

Same problem, and am probably going to take a very simular picture tonight.

On the plus side for you, I *may* have another spindle like yours on the right. You got claipers?? I'll measure mine out tonight and post it for you. if they are a match, its yours for shipping.


Another piece of good news, the pull-a-part I got my front hubs out of, also have an eairly f-100 with a RC44 that just came in (:D ). Hooper an I are going to try and get up and pull it Wednessday (or sooner). It had drum brakes, so it *may* have another set of those spindles....


I'll let you know.

-mark
Thanks for the offer. but the on the right is from a drum brake application. I have a set of those, but they do me no good. I need another one like the one on the LEFT.

Originally posted by TORC

Thanks for the offer. but the on the right is from a drum brake application. I have a set of those, but they do me no good. I need another one like the one on the LEFT.


Opps, my bad. I just re-read your post and I must have been :smokin:

Cource, that DOES id one of my other spindles :D


if I find THREE of the right units... I'll let you know.

-mark

Originally posted by RustoleumWhite
if I find THREE of the right units... I'll let you know.

-mark
Cool. Thanks. I made up a quick sketch with the important dimensions on it, in case it helps. The dimensions could be a little off here and there 'cause I didn't bother to scrape all the crud and rust off.:rasta:
http://www.mo-4xtoys.com/torc/spindle.jpg

hey Torc, can you send me that CAD file.... nice "sketch" :D


my computers having issues with printing it as a picture...

thanks
-mark

Originally posted by RustoleumWhite
hey Torc, can you send me that CAD file.... nice "sketch" :D


my computers having issues with printing it as a picture...

thanks
-mark
Yeah, I took better measurements and need to make a couple changes. What CAD software are you using? It's a scanned image from a Etch-a-Sketch I picked up at a garage sale. :flipoff2: When I make the changes, I'll do that in MicroStation J. If you don't do MicroStation, I can export it as an AutoCAD file. Let me know which you prefer.

autoCAD or a .dxf will be fine.


I have both AutoCAD Light and Turbo Cad


Turbo Cad's the one I use more often (know it better right now), but it will open just about any formate.


thanks
-mark

When I set up the Wagy 44 under my Scout I used the stock Wagoneer caliper brackets. They are the ones with the flimsy sheet metal welded on. I knocked off the sheet metal and it went together great. I also used spindles off a 74-76 Jeep 44. They are the same as the Chevys but it gives you something else to look for. If you see a fullsize Jeep with flatops it's got the right spindles. Also for what it's worth I'm running 78 Bronco hubs and rotors and chevy calipers. Good Luck
Travis

Thanks Overkiller, sounds very simular to what I'm *trying* to do.


Most of the parts between the two seem to be the same, the flat-tops, the caliper brackets, the spindles, ect., its just a matter of getting the right parts.


I'm keeping my eye out for the "other" kind of brackets as well... Strange, but all I have, and all I've seen have been the full coverage ones.

Got a couple yards to call still, all depends on what I want to pay.


Found one overprices yard that wanted $55 for ONE :eek:, surface rusty spindle.... it wasn't even clean and they only had one.... needless to say no thanks.


DO know of a yard with quite a few Ford bronco 5-lug outers, and some 8-luggers. but they are $50-$60 a side or so last quote.... more than I want to pay right now, but might be worth it for the 8-lug stuff....

Hey RW.... I will be emailing that CAD file out in a few minutes. I'm pretty sure that if I went to the sheetmetal backing plate type of bracket, it would solve my clearance issues and I could run the '83 Dodge big bearing 5 on 5.5 setup I have. I would really like to run the 1/4" backing plates I have now though....

I guess I'm running this "sheetmetal" style..

http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racer/chevyfront/first_test/image1.jpg

(Yeah, and it's hi-pinion, too.. :rolleyes: )

http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racer/chevyfront/first_test/side_view.jpg

Those are both as it came from the junkyard, before I put the 1990 F150 outers on.

I don't think I have any good pics of it half assembled though..

I no longer run the dust shields, either.. extra weight I didn't need. :D