Spindle interchange?

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Old Feb 26, 2023 | 08:34 AM
  #1  
matt69olds's Avatar
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Spindle interchange?

Are the SPINDLES interchangeable between disc and drum brakes? In other worlds, the parts between the ball joints.

The drivers side spindle on Project Olds-Camino is mangled, looks like it suffered bearing failure sometime in the past. Looks like they cut the bearing off with a cutoff wheel. The inner bearing won’t side off as it should, it’s going to take a bearing puller to remove.

My question, I have access to a cheap A body parts car with drum brakes. Can I remove the spindle from the drum brake car, and transfer the caliper mounting stuff the the drum brake spindle? Im assuming you can, I have seen the aftermarket disc brake conversions, it appears that’s exactly what they consist of.

Thanks.
Old Feb 26, 2023 | 08:59 AM
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If you are talking about 1964-72 A-body, no they are not the same. Common sense should tell you that if they were the same, there would be no reason for aftermarket disc brake spindles to exist.

http://www.pozziracing.com/brakes.ht..._brake_spindle
Old Feb 26, 2023 | 11:40 AM
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The difference is in the depth of the top backing plate/ caliper mounting boss. Drum brake cars have a much deeper/ taller boss so that all three mounting points are the same hieght. Disc brake spindles have that boss machined down. If you have access to a mill and know how to use it, you can macine the drum spindles to work correctly with disc brakes. Otherwise, it will be easier just to buy a reproduction set.

Drum brake spindle:


Disc brake spindle:

Old Feb 26, 2023 | 05:58 PM
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matt69olds's Avatar
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
If you are talking about 1964-72 A-body, no they are not the same. Common sense should tell you that if they were the same, there would be no reason for aftermarket disc brake spindles to exist.

http://www.pozziracing.com/brakes.ht..._brake_spindle

Should have known it wouldn’t be that simple. I have never used a conversion kit, I assumed they included the caliper mounting brackets.

Guess I’m on the search for a drivers side disc brake spindle.
Old Feb 27, 2023 | 06:35 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by matt69olds
Should have known it wouldn’t be that simple. I have never used a conversion kit, I assumed they included the caliper mounting brackets.

Guess I’m on the search for a drivers side disc brake spindle.
On the 64-72 cars both sides are the same. The steering arm bolts on.
Old Feb 27, 2023 | 09:43 AM
  #6  
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The Wilwood conversion kit can be used on both disc and drum spindles. It has a spacer so the caliper bracket sits correctly when used on a disc spindle.
Old Feb 27, 2023 | 01:44 PM
  #7  
matt69olds's Avatar
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
On the 64-72 cars both sides are the same. The steering arm bolts on.
Ill keep that in mind.
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