Re: Disc Brake Conversion Questions?
Re: Disc Brake Conversion Questions? -- Jerilyn	Post Reply	Top of thread	Maverick Message Board

Posted by: Ken Merring 12/21/2001, 21:44:21

Hello everyone! I have some questions about a brake conversion that seems inevitable on my 73 mav. It has been pulling really hard to the left when I brake lately, so I took it to my mechanic to get it looked at. Sure enough he took the drum off and the shoes were cracked right down the middle on both sides of the drum. This has happened on this particular brake before, one time the shoes actually broke off while I was driving. It is obvious that there is a greater amount of pressure on the front left brake than on any of the other brakes. After looking at the brake system my mechanic said that the problem was most likely due to the proportional valve. He said that it is bad and he can not find another to fix it. He suggested that for now we try to unclog the valve, replace the front brake shoes, and begin looking for the parts to do the conversion. Here are my questions. Could the proportional valve cause the pulling of the car and the cracking of the shoe? What is a good price for the disc conversion (with used parts from a donor car his estimate right now is about $600 roughly for parts and labor)? Are there any kits that I could purchase from places like AutoKrafters, J.C. Whitney, etc.? I need some advice since I have no knowledge about this. I figured that eventually I would have to do the conversion. But I was hoping to keep it at bay for a while. So much for that idea. Any suggestions or advice are welcomed. Thank you in advance. Jeri ............................................................... Hello Jeri. I'm sorry your having this problem. Let me give you my take on what you reported. The distribution block has no control going on in the block, for the front brakes,ie there uncontrolled. So I feel that the right side is the real problem. There must be a line kinked closed or an obstruction or some other problem with the cylinder or shoes on the right side. Away to prove this is to remove the left line only and put a plug in the block and test the stopping action of the right brake but it should be found by looking. In short your left side is doing all the work and is being distroyed. The lines to the block could even be swapped around. The block only limits the pressure to the rear brakes. On disc brakes, I feel that $600 is on the high side to me. You need the spindles and backing plates,and proportion valve and a good "disc brake" master cylinder from a yard with its misc hardware. I would buy the rest new or rebuilt. Spindles and valve would cost around $50, 2 new disc at around $140 or less, calipers at around $60, new pads at around $15, new hoses at about $25 or less, master cylinder $30. The prices will vary of course depending on other factors. Then there's labor to install that requires the old parts to be removed and brake fluid. I would feel that $300 would be tops on parts if you get them. Then the shop labor to do this could take you near $600. I would have another look at the existing problem if you are satified with the drum brakes operation when correct. All the parts except the spindle assembly should be found at you local chain store like AUTOZONE or lke store. Maybe that someone on the board can help you out with parts should ou decide to go with the disc change. Good luck, Ken

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