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66 satellite front disk conversion

Xcellent

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Location
Grand Island, NE
I was wondering if doing a front disk conversion kit is there any advantage to replacing control arm and ball joint at the same time as brakes or is it same amount of work if done at another time.
 
you might as well do it now, it will save the time to tear it all apart again to replace the control arm.
 
Ok thank you that's what I figured. Never done any suspension work before. Typically enjoy doing my own work but think Ill probably just pay to have this done. I don't have the tools anyway.
 
Sure you do have the tools, if you do most of your own work.
Pull the cotter pin from upper BJ caselated nut, back it off 1/8 to 3/16's of an inch, before relasing tension on the torsion bars. After the drum brake and backing plate is removed, smack the top of the knuckle with a BFH until it pops loose from the BJ stud taper. Remove tension from torsion bars and continue disassembly... A piece of cake!
Either borrow or buy an upper BJ socket. With a long strong arm, loosen this before removing the upper control arm from the car (it acts a a great purpose made vise). Removing the control arm is just a 9/16 wrench and ratchet. If you dont want, or care, to replace the control arm bushings yourself, then any competent machine shop can do all four for a nominal sum. Then reassemble in the reverse order.
Now, when the tension is off the torsion bars, would be an ideal time to replace then if you have any desire to upgrade them.
Mike in FL
 
Thank You. To be honest I really hadnt done any investigating into what was all involved in replacing these. Somewhere I was under the impression that I needed a couple special tools and it was a pain in the hinney. I'll investigate further before doing anything either way. Thank you for the vote of confidence in me though!!!
 
Which conversion kit did you purchase? I'm no expert, but almost half way through my Dr Diff front disc conversion. PM me if you have any problems I might be of some help, or moral support.
 
Which conversion kit did you purchase? I'm no expert, but almost half way through my Dr Diff front disc conversion. PM me if you have any problems I might be of some help, or moral support.
I have not purchased anything yet. Just started investigating yesterday. I'm open to any opinions a person wants to share. I see that you have a recent thread on this topic. I will read thru what you have posted so far and feel free to add anything you like. The just I'm getting so far is that Dr. Diff provides excellent customer service. This adds a lot of value in my book, especially for a greenhorn like myself!!
 
It was almost unanimous from this forum that I go with Dr Diff. The Ram Man is a sponsor of this fine web site, and his quality looks outstanding. Unfortunately, the Ram Man's web site was hacked awhile back and some people told me (through PM) that there might still be issues. I don't know, but I gave the Ram Man serious consideration.

In the end I decided on Dr Diff because of all of the recommendations from the experts on this forum. Dr Diff has been really good with prompt email support and replies to my questions.

If you PM me with your email I can send you some video links to the blog where I'm documenting my disc conversion.

I too am a bit over my head in this disc conversion. My dad taught me all I know about turning a wrench (he was a machinist and neighborhood shade tree mechanic), but he always left steering and major suspension work to the local tire shop he was friends with and trusted. I can at least tell you about the major hurdles I encountered if you want to PM me with your contact information.

I'll be starting weekend number 6 on my conversion. A few show stoppers here and there, but I eventually figured it out and moved ahead. The progress is slow, but sure.

Good Luck!
 
Even if you can't do the work, you can deliver the parts that you can not do. I used to moonlight installing lower control arm bushings with the Dallas Mopar Club long, long time back.
 
Even if you can't do the work, you can deliver the parts that you can not do. I used to moonlight installing lower control arm bushings with the Dallas Mopar Club long, long time back.
Wish you were in Tucson!

One thing I miss from my Central Coast Mopar club days was the comradery of club guys getting together and wrenching on major projects between members cars. When I moved to Tucson the car club guys just don't get together to wrench. just having someone around to provide some support in passing tools and staging parts is a big help.
 
Even if you can't do the work, you can deliver the parts that you can not do. I used to moonlight installing lower control arm bushings with the Dallas Mopar Club long, long time back.
Thank you that is true. Im taking my time doing the research right now. Its not necessarily that i cant do it. Its just lack of knowledge from no experience. Thankfully we live in the information age so a guy with little experience can learn a lot!
 
For a specialized job, sometimes it is "better" to farm it out. When I will do my 3rd member, I will have someone else set it up. That was more of what I meant, it is also easier to trust someone with a lower control arm then dropping off your car there. Also lower control arm bushings require a press to remove and install along with the tools to support the new bushing being pressed. At that time I believe that I charged 50 dollars labor if you supplied the part. All of the people that I dealt with could install the upper bushings without much effort, even if they had to borrow some tools to do it.
 
For a specialized job, sometimes it is "better" to farm it out. When I will do my 3rd member, I will have someone else set it up. That was more of what I meant, it is also easier to trust someone with a lower control arm then dropping off your car there. Also lower control arm bushings require a press to remove and install along with the tools to support the new bushing being pressed. At that time I believe that I charged 50 dollars labor if you supplied the part. All of the people that I dealt with could install the upper bushings without much effort, even if they had to borrow some tools to do it.
Ok i follow you and will take that into consideration. Thank You for the input i appreciate it!
 
I would start out and asses your front end? What is the condition of the upper and lower ball joints? Are they loose and is there play? Second look closely at the upper and lower control arm bushings for dry rot or deformity. If all is good and tight I would proceed with just the disc brake conversion. If you are unsure post some pictures of the bushings and we can give you our opinions. We too offer a couple of different disc brake conversion kits. One even to fit factory 14" wheels. Please let me if you have any questions as I would be happy to answer any and all questions. Plus we offer a discount for members of the forum.

Thanks
James
 
I'm a Johnny come lately to this thread, but just for info I just purchased from Dr. Diff last week. Extremely Helpful, very courteous, Took all the time needed to work you through any questions! Also got my order promptly. He Gets 10 Atta Boys in my book.:thumbsup:
 
I'm a Johnny come lately to this thread, but just for info I just purchased from Dr. Diff last week. Extremely Helpful, very courteous, Took all the time needed to work you through any questions! Also got my order promptly. He Gets 10 Atta Boys in my book.
I'm ashamed to say that I am on weekend number 7 for my Dr Diff conversion. Little show stoppers here and there, but I am making progress.
I'd like to hear about your experiences with the conversion and your opinions on Dr Diff.
Did you go with the 15/16 master cylinder? Power, or manual?
 
I ordered the 15/16 lightweight master, with the aluminum adapter since it a two hole mounting. My application is for manual brakes. I'm going to be running 11.75 rotors.
 
I would start out and asses your front end? What is the condition of the upper and lower ball joints? Are they loose and is there play? Second look closely at the upper and lower control arm bushings for dry rot or deformity. If all is good and tight I would proceed with just the disc brake conversion. If you are unsure post some pictures of the bushings and we can give you our opinions. We too offer a couple of different disc brake conversion kits. One even to fit factory 14" wheels. Please let me if you have any questions as I would be happy to answer any and all questions. Plus we offer a discount for members of the forum.

Thanks
James
Thank You James. Have been told by members here that you offer good product and service. Will assess soon and let you know if i have any questions.
 
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