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Technical => Brake Swaps => Topic started by: Russandirene on 2019-12-10 15:55

Title: Disc brake help please
Post by: Russandirene on 2019-12-10 15:55
I want to put disc on the front of our 57 fairlane.
I want to keep the 14? wheels
All the brackets I found use 15? wheels
I remember I had a 69 mustang with disc and 14? wheels,
Will the spindles and disc fit on the 57, so I can keep the 14? rims?
Thanks Russ
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: rmk57 on 2019-12-10 18:15
  1968-69 Mustang, Torino , Cougar use the same C8OE spindle. The only thing I had to do was ream the bottom hole on the spindle for the larger 57 ball joint, otherwise they bolt right on.
You can also use 1970-73 Mustang, 70-71 Torino and 70-71 Cougar. Only difference is they use a slightly larger I.D. bearing but O.D. is the same.

Not sure I follow you on the bracket part of it. I would think all the caliper brackets would be the same. You just need to source disc brake 14" wheels. Mustang, Cougar, Maverick, Torino.....
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: lalessi1 on 2019-12-11 14:39
I have a Wilwood kit on stock spindles. I also have a 14" Ford wheel that fits as a spare. The stock wheels won't fit. The wheel I have is off of a LTD? I believe (bought on ebay). I bought the brake kit on ebay and it uses fixed 4 piston calipers that are very compact and light.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WILWOOD-DISC-BRAKE-KIT-FRONT-58-68-FORD-MERCURY-EDSEL-11-ROTORS-BLACK-CALIPERS/291280155037?fits=Year%3A1957%7CMake%3AFord&epid=13027185068&hash=item43d1a6719d:g:VnQAAOSwF1dUT8NS

Looking on ebay for 14" wheels and I saw several listings for this wheel. I have a feeling these will work. JUST A GUESS....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-1999-FORD-RANGER-14-INCH-FACTORY-ORIGINAL-OEM-STOCK-STEEL-WHEEL-RIM-3258/312716966581?epid=28034811485&hash=item48cf623ab5:g:nxUAAOSwn4ZcU0r4
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: RICH MUISE on 2019-12-12 22:17
It would be nice to know if they did fit as they should be really easy to find locally, and I'm sure a heck of a lot cheaper that the ebay one for almost 100. for ONE wheel with shipping.
On the other hand, the design may not be something a lot of guys would want if they were running dog dishes, and who knows if our full caps would even fit.
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: Ford Blue blood on 2019-12-13 07:04
If I remember correctly 76 (+/-) Granada's had disc and 14" wheels.
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: rovohn on 2019-12-13 07:51
Scarebird have a new kit for 14" wheels it's a GXY G10
Cheers,John :canada:
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: lalessi1 on 2019-12-13 08:44
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2019-12-12 22:17
It would be nice to know if they did fit as they should be really easy to find locally, and I'm sure a heck of a lot cheaper that the ebay one for almost 100. for ONE wheel with shipping.
On the other hand, the design may not be something a lot of guys would want if they were running dog dishes, and who knows if our full caps would even fit.

Rich, my thought is that the edge of the rim where the wheel covers fit is pretty standard since it fits 14" tires. Dog dish caps wouldn't work on these wheels (no "nubs"). My thought was that if these wheels work they would be MUCH easier to find locally. This is all hypothetical but worth looking into.
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: terry_208 on 2019-12-13 08:48
I believe that Mavericks also had disc brakes and 14" wheels.
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: jwtdvm on 2020-01-28 16:14
I got a feeling a mustang spindle may not be good idea---the distance between ball joints is much shorter than a full size car---I would think it would mess with bump steer/ability to get good alignment??  I think people have used Granada stuff??  I have always used full size Galaxie spindles on a 57 and does not seem to affect alighnment but will need 15 inch wheel--
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: gasman826 on 2020-01-28 20:47
The Granada style spindles are a 1st gen Mustang disc brake swap.  Mustang spindles would make for a '57 disc brake conversion. 
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: rmk57 on 2020-01-29 12:05
  I did a quick measurement on a stock 1957 spindle and a 1970 Mustang spindle. The 57 spindle has 6 3/4" between the ball joint centers, the Mustang spindle has 6 1/2" between centers.
One other difference is the spindle pin on 57 Ford is pretty much dead even with the lower ball joint. The Mustang spindle pin sits about 1" higher up, so it would lower your car about 1". Don't know about Granada spindles, could be even slightly different than the Mustang.
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: jwtdvm on 2020-02-08 09:30
Dang they are much closer than I would have thought----sounds like a good alternative---70 disc spindles (drum spindles wont work without some work and different calipers -ala 65-67 mustang kelsey hayes brakes--better design than 69/70 disc) but the 70 disc spindles ought to be pretty darn cheap-----get 70 as the bearings are bigger than 65-69 spindles---The mustang racer trick is to get 70 mustang drum spindles (the bigger bearing and pin) add adapter and mount galaxie/lincoln 4 piston Kelsey hayes--but you are back to a 15 inch wheel going that route
Title: Re: Disc brake help please
Post by: BP57CUSTOM on 2020-02-09 20:11
I have a 65 Mustang with original disc brakes and 14" wheels.