Brakes for 76
 

Have a question about the rear rotors on a 76. The front came off no problem but the rear have my brother and I stuck. We have the calipers off.

I read through past posted questions and understand that the original rotors were rivited on. We are not sure if these are the original rotors.

Is it obvious by looking at them if they are original, or are the rivits hard to see?
If they are not the original, is heating them up and strong arming them the answer to getting them off?

Any feedback would be a great help.

RE: Brakes for 76
 

The steel rivets are easy to see, there placed between each wheel stud and the counter bore is about the same size as the stud, I can't remember right off hand what size drill I used to cut the head of the rivet but I think it was in the 3/8-7/16 range, the rotor is a good tight fit on the spindle but it will come off with a little heat or a two jaw puller, good luck.

RE: Brakes for 76
 

[sm=exactly.gif] Plus remember that there is a mini-drum brake inside the rotor hat for the parking brake. The shoes might catch on the lip if the car was ever driven with the brake applied and wore a groove inside the hat. But then since the rotors are being removed for the first time, the brake guts are most likely a rusted mess and just pull the rotors off even if it screws up the parking brake shoes. Recommend replacing the innards with stainless steel kit. Also the rear parking brake cable because if the brake wasn't used regularly, thenthe cable willmost likelybe frozen inside the housing with rust.

RE: Brakes for 76
 

73 Shark said it all. I also highly recommend rebuilding the e-brake system from handle to rear. Replace everything. When was the last time the calipers were replaced? If you don't know, replace them. The braking and steering systems are the most important parts of any car. You can apply all the power you want but if you can't steer the car or stop it, you're screwed.