"DISC-O-TECH" (drum-to-disk brake conversion)

[MaximRecoil]

Has anyone here done this to a 1969 Charger (or any other pre-1970 B-body) following the directions in the Mopar Action article called "DISC-O-TECH"? If so, how did you deal with the swaybar-to-caliper interference as described in the following excerpt from the article?

As we mentioned, you will encounter swaybar-to-caliper interference if you install this setup on a pre-1970 B-body equipped with the link-type swaybar. Your alternatives here are an aftermarket swaybar setup (Addco, etc.) or to convert to the '70-'72 setup. This swap requires either using lower control arm/swaybar bracket assemblies from the '70-'72s, or torching the brackets off your original arms and rewelding them in the '70-'72 location (you'll still need the '70-'72 bar itself). In some cases, pre-'70 cars may not have the clearance notch required for the '70-up style bar, which passes through the K-member. To cure this, either swap to a '70-up K-member, use an aftermarket bar, or rework the K-member.

Link

[flyinlow]

Did it on my son's '70. Different sway bar. It looks like you can swap the spindles, putting the calipers to the rear. You would need to redo the brake lines and support bracket.  Just a thought.

[68Charger4me]

I did this on my 68, just swapped the spindles so the calipers are towards the rear.

[MaximRecoil]

I did this on my 68, just swapped the spindles so the calipers are towards the rear.

Did you have any problems doing it that way? Ehrenberg warns against doing that because of "brake hose routing difficulties":

Also do not swap the knuckles side-to-side to mount the caliper toward the rear, this causes brake hose routing difficulties. While the correct mounting avoids these problems, on some cars you may encounter swaybar-to-caliper interference. We suggest dealing with that via other methods, described later.

Did it on my son's '70. Different sway bar. It looks like you can swap the spindles, putting the calipers to the rear. You would need to redo the brake lines and support bracket.  Just a thought.

Are you talking about the bracket that supports the rubber brake hose to steel brake line junction?

[bull]

There are some warnings in that article but I've seen several examples of people ignoring them who have lived to see another day. I ignored them myself regarding the side-to-side spindle swap and all is well. I haven't read it in a while but there was a warning about using the newer Volarie-style spindles due to the difference in center point height but many people have ignored that one too... and lived. In fact many of those who've used those spindles have reported an improvement in suspension geomtery due to the difference.

[flyinlow]

I did this on my 68, just swapped the spindles so the calipers are towards the rear.

Did it on my son's '70. Different sway bar. It looks like you can swap the spindles, putting the calipers to the rear. You would need to redo the brake lines and support bracket.  Just a thought.

Are you talking about the bracket that supports the rubber brake hose to steel brake line junction?

Yes, the little tab with the spring clip for the end of the flexible line. Most seam to be on the opposite side of the spindle from the caliper. So if you put the caliper on the back you might want them toward the front. This would need extended metal lines. I think the factory did this to help make sure the hoses did not bind/rub in full lock turns. There maybe other hoses that work with the original location.

[bull]

I've seen those but didn't use them. The ones I got are the 1980 Dodge St. Regis hoses with no metal clip and they clear everything fine.

[MaximRecoil]

In fact many of those who've used those spindles have reported an improvement in suspension geomtery due to the difference.

What sort of an improvement? Better handling?

I've seen those but didn't use them. The ones I got are the 1980 Dodge St. Regis hoses with no metal clip and they clear everything fine.

Can you elaborate on that? You didn't have to change the existing support bracket? How does it work without a metal clip?

[68Charger4me]

Did you have any problems doing it that way? Ehrenberg warns against doing that because of "brake hose routing difficulties":
None whatsoever, just used the standard A body hoses.

[bull]

Can you elaborate on that? You didn't have to change the existing support bracket? How does it work without a metal clip?

Are you talking about the hoses with built in brackets or the brackets that are already on the car? The St. Regis hoses have no built in bracket, just anchored at the bottom as normal and bolted to the caliper at the top by the banjo fitting.

[bull]

In fact many of those who've used those spindles have reported an improvement in suspension geomtery due to the difference.

What sort of an improvement? Better handling?

The theory is you get better camber, which is something our cars lacked to begin with. You've kind of backed into a debate that's been raging for years; here somewhat and over at Moparts.com big time. You might want to read through this: http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2098376&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1