Disc brake education

[340Challman]

Hey Everyone, I need an education on front disc brakes on a 70 Challenger. My car has manual disc brakes. 11 inch rotors with pin type calipers and pads. My spindle inner bearing race measures 1.25". The measurement from the machined surface at the upper ball joint to the center of the spindle is 4-9/16".
Is this a correct disc brake setup for a 70 Challenger?

The reason for all of this is I just discovered that my inner bearing races have been spun. From what I have read no one makes correct 70-72 spindles. I understand that the 73-74 spindles have bigger inner bearings, which is a good thing, but I'd have to change everything else instead of just spindles. That takes me back to the question above. If it is not an original setup, then I guess I don't have any heartburn swapping everything out.

So, what say you?
Thanks.

[340Challman]

Has anyone ever had their original spindles welded and re-turned? Are there warping issues? I'm curious about what affect that will have on the tempering also. Will they become brittle?

[EV2RTSE]

I don't believe any e-bodies ever came with manual disk brakes. Do you have a fender tag or build sheet that calls out what the car came with originally? Any pic of the proportioning valve?

[HP2]

To change to the later spindles would only require the spindles, bearings, and rotors. Nothing else needs to be changed.

[MoparLeo]

Welding spindles?? Not in todays age. Plenty of parts around. You just need to look.
In the old days ( a long time ago) when people worked for very little, it might have made sense but today with very high labor costs, just wouldn't make sense.
That is something like you would hear of in places like Cuba where no parts were imported for over 60 years and you had to make your own parts.

[340Challman]

I don't believe any e-bodies ever came with manual disk brakes. Do you have a fender tag or build sheet that calls out what the car came with originally? Any pic of the proportioning valve?

My brake code is B11 which is listed as either H/D drum or S/D disc. Neither code stipulates power or manual. However, on the broadcast sheet the code B51 for power is blank. So I don't think my car was originally power.

[340Challman]

Welding spindles?? Not in todays age. Plenty of parts around. You just need to look.
In the old days ( a long time ago) when people worked for very little, it might have made sense but today with very high labor costs, just wouldn't make sense.
That is something like you would hear of in places like Cuba where no parts were imported for over 60 years and you had to make your own parts.

Are the 73-74 spindles available aftermarket? I would think the originals are getting scarce if everyone wants them. Were the drum spindles the same as the disc? I would think not, but don't know.

[MoparLeo]

Every Mopar made since 1973 had disk brakes. (only exception was the base model A-body which had still had small bolt pattern drums) So there were millions made. Like I said you just have to look. B41 shows front disc..sometimes power. 1970 disc brakes used a Pin type caliper, the 73 used a slider. What do you have ? What is the number on the inner race/bearing? That will tell you the size. What is the rotor type ?  Have you looked for info in your Factory Service Manual yet ? It will tell you what was available for that year.
http://www.themoparshop.com/shop/userDocs/options.pdf

[340Challman]

Every Mopar made since 1973 had disk brakes. (only exception was the base model A-body which had still had small bolt pattern drums) So there were millions made. Like I said you just have to look. B41 shows front disc..sometimes power. 1970 disc brakes used a Pin type caliper, the 73 used a slider. What do you have ? What is the number on the inner race/bearing? That will tell you the size. What is the rotor type ? 1970 Used a 2 piece rotor, 73 had a 1 piece rotor. Need more ?
http://www.themoparshop.com/shop/userDocs/options.pdf

Covered all that in the first post except the rotors. They are the two piece.

[Bullitt-]

  Looking at inner front bearings for a '70 & 73 it appears you have the '70

Set6 for the '70  1.25"
https://www.bearings.parts/Timken-Set-6

  Set17 for the '73  1.378"
https://www.bearings.parts/NTN-L68149-L68111?search=set17&description=true

[MoparLeo]

OK So there you go. You have 1970. You didn't say what the bearing part number was though, That would give the answer immediately. Parts books don't always index by measurements but by part number and cross refence charts. A source for later spindles would be a large wrecking yard. They have a nationwide phoneline linking them all. They know what years and models will cross refence your wanted application.

[EV2RTSE]

Article from Mopar Action on disc brake swaps -
https://www.moparaction.com/2016/03/16/disc-main/

I'd suggest giving Dr Diff a call to see what he suggests-
https://www.doctordiff.com/70-72-b-e-body-disc-brake-spindle-sleeves.html

https://www.doctordiff.com/front-disc-brake-kit-for-11.75-on-disc-knuckles.html

99.9% sure your car had manual drums originally, as far as I know all 70 E's had power discs. It seems to me that someone added front discs to your car at some point? A look at which proportioning valve / metering block setup you have might provide more confirmation. If it's a drum unit I'd suggest getting one that's compatible with discs. Only pointing this out to try to figure out what you have going on and if you're going for a bunch of new stuff anyway you may want to get a power booster as well.

[Katfish]

No need to get new spindles, you can stake the mounting surface where the bearing seats on the spindle.
Couple of good whacks with a punch will do the trick.
Had to do it to mine, been fine now 15yrs later.

Dr Diff sells a spacer to put on the smaller earlier spindles so you can use the later 1-piece rotors. 

[Bullitt-]

 @MoparLeo  Have you ever known of using a sleeve for axle repair?
  Seems it is a thing for trailer axles

[340Challman]

Article from Mopar Action on disc brake swaps -
https://www.moparaction.com/2016/03/16/disc-main/

I'd suggest giving Dr Diff a call to see what he suggests-
https://www.doctordiff.com/70-72-b-e-body-disc-brake-spindle-sleeves.html

https://www.doctordiff.com/front-disc-brake-kit-for-11.75-on-disc-knuckles.html

99.9% sure your car had manual drums originally, as far as I know all 70 E's had power discs. It seems to me that someone added front discs to your car at some point? A look at which proportioning valve / metering block setup you have might provide more confirmation. If it's a drum unit I'd suggest getting one that's compatible with discs. Only pointing this out to try to figure out what you have going on and if you're going for a bunch of new stuff anyway you may want to get a power booster as well.

Interesting kits from Dr Diff. I'm assuming the 11.75" rotors will fit inside the factory 15X7 rallye wheels? From looking at it, it appears that I would have to switch to the sliding calipers. That's a bummer. I prefer the floating calipers. I could get everything I need though, one stop shop and everything would be new for $815.00. Not bad.