I knew I wanted rear disc brakes from the start and I wondered about how much weight I would lose by doing that conversion. So I bought a cheap suitcase scale and using highly scientific methods I decided to weigh all the parts out of curiousity.
Here is what I found:
Brake drums 37lbs
Backing plate/brake assy 18lbs
Rotor, (one I will likely use)15lbs
Caliper with pads 10lbs
Caliper bracket,
(guessing) 5lbs
So, by my primitive guessimate I will lose 25lbs per side, making a total of 50lbs less unsprung weight. It really doesn't matter thou. I just want disc's in the back.
Decided to get going on the knuckles today. I bought this ball joint kit in spring and all ready its proved its worth with the lift kit and all the u-joints I have changed so far.
It's pouring rain outside and I have barely enough room in the basement anymore so I decided to work in the dining room, which I'm renovating and tearing apart anyway. That way I could keep watching the Hollywood Casino 400 and not miss anything, (Paul Menard was in the lead at the time). TheWhiteElephant's thread in this forum provided tons of information in this area and I highly recommend everyone checking out his wip. He removed his balljoints with no vise, only muscles and he made it look easy. Turns out the balljoints came out much faster then I had expected, didn't even have to hammer on them. Like he said it was just matter of finding the right angles to hold the knuckle down with one hand.
Lower ball joint out, both joints get pushed upwards to remove, easy peasy.
Hear is the knuckle ready to be cleaned and prepped for paint.
Been fighting the flu here so everything is taking time and working in slowmotion, but the other knuckle should even go faster.
Matt Kenseth won the race btw, cheers.