Install new rear shoes and drums if needed (not part of kit). Install the new rear wheel cylinders and attach the brake fluid line to them. Place a rubber hose on one side in rear to a jar, have an assistant plug the other side while you flush with an aerosol brake cleaner.Remove rear brake drums and wheel cylinders.įlush the brake line from the brass block on the frame to the rear of the vehicle. Install the shortest flex lines from the frame blocks to the calipers. Install a second flex steel line from the output of the booster to the junction block on the frame above the left front wheel. Using the new flex steel lines install the longest of the lines from the rear of the master cylinder to the inlet (closest to the diaphragm) of the brake booster. See step 27 below before mounting master cylinder.Install the new master cylinder using two of the original four mounting bolts. Install the caliper brake fluid line cross over.īench bleed the new master cylinder per standard procedures with DOT 5 fluid. Install the caliper on the backing plate.
Install the rotor on the spindle properly adjust the spindle nut. Properly grease the bearings and install in the rotor along with the grease seal.
Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird full size#
Please read these steps completely prior to beginning your work.Ĭlick on thumbnail image for full size picture. The different diameter in them eliminates the need for a proportioning valve. New rear wheel cylinders are provided with the kit. It is recommended to leave all hydraulic fittings loose until everything is in place and all clearances are checked. The biggest advantage is the straight, true stopping, and the resistance to fade. Even with a booster these brakes will not give you the feel of the disc brakes on your new vehicle, it still takes a bit of pedal pressure. If not, the brake fluid lines would be slightly different. These steps are written presuming you have a power booster on your car. The adjustable rod is available from several of the Thunderbird parts dealers.ĭisc brake calipers are designed to operate at higher hydraulic line pressure than original drum brakes, as a result it is very beneficial to have a power brake booster. The rod has a swivel (Heim) joint on the end that attaches to the brake pedal. The new push rod is installed lower on the brake pedal so it will increase the master cylinder piston travel. The original push rod should be replaced with an adjustable push rod which can be adjusted to take up slack between the push rod end and the master cylinder piston. All conversions have included switching to DOT5 silicone brake fluid.Ī dual master cylinder is installed to separate the front brakes from the rear.
On the conversion shown here, the brass block for the brake light switch has been completely removed to clean up the installation, and reduce the number of joints. On all of the installations I have performed, I have removed the hydraulic brake light switch and installed a mechanical switch from CASCO. The photos included, and description provided, are related to the disc conversion kit available from Thunderbirds One in Gastonia, NC. Gil Baumgartner CTCI Authenticity ChairmanĬonverting to disc brakes on your Thunderbird will provide you with significantly improved braking, and is not a hard conversion to make.
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