drop spindles and disc brk backing plates - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mole2000 · 10-04-2008, 04:41 PM

I just got finished installing one of my new mcgaughy's 2.5 drop spindles for disk brakes and was shocked as I thought of the next step: install the backing plates from a donor truck. There were no attachment points tapped! The bosses were there, but no hole at all. I had no idea that I would have to be drilling and tapping these. Is that correct or could there have been a manufacturing error? Has anyone encountered this and if so how did you solve it? How difficult is it going to be to drill and tap out these attachment points? Do I really need backing plates at all? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks.

tcb-1 · 10-04-2008, 04:57 PM

you'll get several different answers..... BUT I have seen no ill effects of running without the backing plates.

I say, don't worry about them......

however, I would have liked to see McGaughy's putting some taps in there. I have them on my truck as well.

PanelDeland · 10-04-2008, 06:02 PM

I didn't bother with backing plates.I've heard they keep the brakes clean.I've also heard they reduce airflow(hot brakes don't stop as well).Who knows.I have been running mine this way for about 8 months and see no problems.

**steelhorse** · 10-04-2008, 06:49 PM

Many new cars dont have them so it shouldnt be a problem

**uncle** · 10-04-2008, 08:47 PM

Ece!

mole2000 · 10-04-2008, 08:53 PM

Thanks everyone! I looked at ECE and their recommendation is to have backing plates and they have some at a reasonable price, although I have donor ones. So now the question may be how difficult would it be to drill and tap the spindle to accept the small bolts to hold them on? Is the spindle difficult to drill and tap? I can't really return the spindles i just bought and buy ECE ones... So it's either run without, tap to accept bolts, or sell what I have and replace with ECE parts...

tcb-1 · 10-04-2008, 09:35 PM

go naked and don't think twice...

70GMCer · 10-05-2008, 07:54 AM

Of course ECE is going to recommend using them.....They need your money. I've been running without them since the Spring time. No problems

Even though they are McGaughy's spindles, you can use stock covers up to 1987 trucks. Unless you have drilled & tapped before, I would take them to a machine shop & make sure they are done right.

Fastfun · 10-05-2008, 10:46 AM

My CCP spindles were drilled and tapped for the sheild

see ten · 10-05-2008, 11:09 AM

I've always used ECE spindles which come already tapped. Do you need the cover? Probably not. I'm running mine though. I'd call a machine shop and get a quote and then weigh the cost of having them done verses the cost of selling at a loss and replacing with ECE parts...........Or just go without em.

You should be fine.

10-04-2008, 04:41 PM	#1
mole2000 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 78	drop spindles and disc brk backing plates I just got finished installing one of my new mcgaughy's 2.5 drop spindles for disk brakes and was shocked as I thought of the next step: install the backing plates from a donor truck. There were no attachment points tapped! The bosses were there, but no hole at all. I had no idea that I would have to be drilling and tapping these. Is that correct or could there have been a manufacturing error? Has anyone encountered this and if so how did you solve it? How difficult is it going to be to drill and tap out these attachment points? Do I really need backing plates at all? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

10-04-2008, 04:57 PM	#2
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates you'll get several different answers..... BUT I have seen no ill effects of running without the backing plates. I say, don't worry about them...... however, I would have liked to see McGaughy's putting some taps in there. I have them on my truck as well. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 10-04-2008 at 04:59 PM.

10-04-2008, 06:02 PM	#3
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates I didn't bother with backing plates.I've heard they keep the brakes clean.I've also heard they reduce airflow(hot brakes don't stop as well).Who knows.I have been running mine this way for about 8 months and see no problems. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-04-2008, 06:49 PM	#4
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates Many new cars dont have them so it shouldnt be a problem

10-04-2008, 08:47 PM	#5
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,288	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates Ece!

10-04-2008, 08:53 PM	#6
mole2000 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 78	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates Thanks everyone! I looked at ECE and their recommendation is to have backing plates and they have some at a reasonable price, although I have donor ones. So now the question may be how difficult would it be to drill and tap the spindle to accept the small bolts to hold them on? Is the spindle difficult to drill and tap? I can't really return the spindles i just bought and buy ECE ones... So it's either run without, tap to accept bolts, or sell what I have and replace with ECE parts... Last edited by mole2000; 10-04-2008 at 09:17 PM. Reason: added more info

10-04-2008, 09:35 PM	#7
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates go naked and don't think twice... __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

10-05-2008, 07:54 AM	#8
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates Of course ECE is going to recommend using them.....They need your money. I've been running without them since the Spring time. No problems Even though they are McGaughy's spindles, you can use stock covers up to 1987 trucks. Unless you have drilled & tapped before, I would take them to a machine shop & make sure they are done right. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

10-05-2008, 10:46 AM	#9
Fastfun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 615	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates My CCP spindles were drilled and tapped for the sheild

10-05-2008, 11:09 AM	#10
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: drop spindles and disc brk backing plates I've always used ECE spindles which come already tapped. Do you need the cover? Probably not. I'm running mine though. I'd call a machine shop and get a quote and then weigh the cost of having them done verses the cost of selling at a loss and replacing with ECE parts...........Or just go without em. You should be fine.

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