Dr. Diff disc brake swap

[HANDM]

Just finished up the install of front disc brakes on the Charger, it was super easy and well worth the price paid.

The kit was complete and the exploded view while too small was a big help. I know I could have gone with a less expensive version and/or sourced all the pieces from a JY or other such places but the all included kit was much more simple and the time saved made it worth it.

I'll have to get a set of right hand thread lug nuts for the drivers side front though and when I do the rears it'll still have the left hand thread lugs. The Challenger is the same way but I really don't care and the next owner will probably find out the hard way

It would have taken quite a bit less time than it did today if I had a lift but alas I don't so it took roughly 6 hours with all of the up and down and grabbing different tools. Overall not too bad though.

Still have the rears to do, the master and prop valve which I'll get to next weekend. The rear kit doesn't include new axle flange gaskets so I got those coming. 
According to the videos that I've watched there's no need for green bearings which in my opinion will save a bunch of time removing the old and pressing the new. Any advice there would be appreciated.

I watched a video Dave Rea installing another kit and it seemed goofy with the double plates, spacers and whatnot.
The DR. Diff kit just has a single bolt on bracket and that's it. Way less complicated and much more simple install (It appears that way to me at least)

I'll update next weekend with the rear install and how it went

[HANDM]

Rear brakes went smoothly with no hangups. Brackets are well made and all required pieces were in the kit. I just needed to buy axle flange gaskets which were relatively inexpensive.

Prop valve and master cylinder took a bit of crawling under the car but no real problems there.
Still need to bleed the system and figure out the e brake cables that I bought.

I really looking forward to a whole new braking experience in this car

[TTSaleen]

Nice.  I'm looking to do the same to my 68 in the future.
Any pics?
Ryan

[HANDM]

Nice.  I'm looking to do the same to my 68 in the future.
Any pics?
Ryan

Nah, even if I had taken some I wouldn't be able to post em here :/

Super simple process though and like I said and very nice set of components.
You can PM me if you have a questions when you decide to do it

[green69rt]

Here's a thread on the DOc Diff install.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,129460.msg1610872.html#msg1610872

And here's mine, probably too much info.

[HANDM]

Got everything all buttoned up and while the brakes work, they don't work very well :/
I have great flow from all four corners and the car will stop but in a panic situation there's no way it'll lock em up.

I'm wondering if I might need to adjust the pushrod length??

[HANDM]

Tried adjusting the pushrod a bit and it didn't do jack shit except cause the brakes to drag, kinda figured that would happen.

Guess I'll bleed the living hell out of them next weekend and see if there's any improvement.

[TTSaleen]

I have the Doctor Diff kit arriving this week.
I am going to use the pads that come with the kit, but will let you know if my experience is any different.

I read on there that another member used the Yellow Stuff brake pads and was very pleased with the results.

Ryan

[chargerbr549]

When going from 4 wheel drums to front disc/rear drum the swap is pretty straight forward and usually isn't too finicky about master cylinder size and either using a power brake booster or just a manual brake setup but it seems to be a common problem when going to 4 wheel discs not having enough braking pressure to make the brake system work well, the master cylinder size usually becomes more important and going to good double diaphragm vacuum booster or going to a hydroboost setup alot of times is what it takes to make the system perform well.

Since the front brakes do about 70% of the braking its pretty tough to beat the 11.75 factory discs swap/rear drum combo in overall performance and not too much for headaches but thats just my opinion.

[HANDM]

When going from 4 wheel drums to front disc/rear drum the swap is pretty straight forward and usually isn't too finicky about master cylinder size and either using a power brake booster or just a manual brake setup but it seems to be a common problem when going to 4 wheel discs not having enough braking pressure to make the brake system work well, the master cylinder size usually becomes more important and going to good double diaphragm vacuum booster or going to a hydroboost setup alot of times is what it takes to make the system perform well.

Since the front brakes do about 70% of the braking its pretty tough to beat the 11.75 factory discs swap/rear drum combo in overall performance and not too much for headaches but thats just my opinion.

I bought the master cylinder that is matched to the setup that I got. I'm beginning to think its the booster. The pedal isn't rock hard and the booster is working but like I said, I have to really push hard to get the thing to stop.

[paironines]

I'd like to hear what you all end up using for pads as I also am using the semi metallic from the Dr Diff kit and they aren't that grabby meaning no sudden stops. I had this prob on a truck before and switching to organics made a great improvement.

[b5blue]

  I have manual with 11 3/4 disk and 10 inch drum in back. Braking is firm but not hard, something is wrong for you because factory power is hyper sensitive. (Sounds like what I experienced when my booster failed, dangerous actually!)

[HANDM]

Yeah, I'm sure my problem was/ is the booster wasn't up to snuff for 4 wheel discs as it was the single diaphragm type plus it had to be failing as the braking was the same with the drums all around.

I wound up buying the bendix type dual diaphragm booster from Cass at Dr. Diff. 
Now I have to be careful with the pedal cuz if I hit it too hard I put my dog on the dash and the other up against the back of the front seats 

[TTSaleen]

Glad you got it figured out!

[HANDM]

Glad you got it figured out!

Thanks! Me too.
The car has never had a proper brake feel and I've had it for thirty damn years!
I think I've figured out the fuel smell in trunk as well (missing vent tube) so I might actually be able to drive the thing this year