Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gene_ensor · 09-06-2009, 05:57 AM

I'm in the process of upgrading to disc brakes on a 69 2wd non-lowered pickup. My upgrade is from the A-arms out, but has the original 1969 cross member/inner tie rods/etc.

The 1969 upper a-arms had a heavy concave washer that mated with the knurled pressed on nut to provide a flat surface. The 1974 upper a-arm shaft requires a convex spacer that mates with it to provide a flat surface. Given this upgrade, have others had to remove the shim count to compensate for the two heavy shims? Originally I had 3/8's worth of shims all around.

Second question, can someone provide the measurement from the inner tie rod pivot to the outer tie rod pivot on an upgrade similar to this that has gone through the alignment process?

I'm just trying to get this dialed in while I got it all apart. Thanks!

**special-K** · 09-06-2009, 07:20 AM

I moved this from the 67-72 parts board.

I love that avatar!!!

gene_ensor · 09-07-2009, 05:15 PM

ttt

Zeke · 09-07-2009, 05:37 PM

I did the same swap and had to take out quite a few shims. also took the power steering, as far as the tie rods I made them the same length as the ones I took off then measured from center tread to center tread to get it close. Haven't had a chance to finish as I was working out of town for the last year and a half but as soon as I get it back together its to the alignment shop.

gene_ensor · 09-09-2009, 02:42 AM

Today I went to the salvage yard and found a 73-79 frame/suspension (suburban I think) and measured the tie rod end-to-end length at 16.5 inches. When I set my tie rod end-to-end lengths, the travel was a shade longer than bumpstop to bumpstop on the lower a-arms. Hopefully the alignment shop will have a similar solution.

09-06-2009, 05:57 AM	#1
gene_ensor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 39	Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? I'm in the process of upgrading to disc brakes on a 69 2wd non-lowered pickup. My upgrade is from the A-arms out, but has the original 1969 cross member/inner tie rods/etc. The 1969 upper a-arms had a heavy concave washer that mated with the knurled pressed on nut to provide a flat surface. The 1974 upper a-arm shaft requires a convex spacer that mates with it to provide a flat surface. Given this upgrade, have others had to remove the shim count to compensate for the two heavy shims? Originally I had 3/8's worth of shims all around. Second question, can someone provide the measurement from the inner tie rod pivot to the outer tie rod pivot on an upgrade similar to this that has gone through the alignment process? I'm just trying to get this dialed in while I got it all apart. Thanks!

09-06-2009, 07:20 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? I moved this from the 67-72 parts board. I love that avatar!!! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 09-06-2009 at 07:22 AM.

09-07-2009, 05:15 PM	#3
gene_ensor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 39	Re: Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? ttt

09-07-2009, 05:37 PM	#4
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	Re: Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? I did the same swap and had to take out quite a few shims. also took the power steering, as far as the tie rods I made them the same length as the ones I took off then measured from center tread to center tread to get it close. Haven't had a chance to finish as I was working out of town for the last year and a half but as soon as I get it back together its to the alignment shop. __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin

09-09-2009, 02:42 AM	#5
gene_ensor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 39	Re: Disc Brake Upgrade - Shims? - Tie Rod End-to-End Length? Today I went to the salvage yard and found a 73-79 frame/suspension (suburban I think) and measured the tie rod end-to-end length at 16.5 inches. When I set my tie rod end-to-end lengths, the travel was a shade longer than bumpstop to bumpstop on the lower a-arms. Hopefully the alignment shop will have a similar solution.

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