Ordered My Disc Brake Conversion Kit

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Humm. My Mechanic recently installed the kit on my 65 Barracuda. My 5 turn steering box is now about a 4 turn. Not a huge deal other than parking is a bit more of an adventure.

The lower ball joints have the steering stops on them. I have definitely found that not all the steering stops are the same height, which changes the turning radius.

That brake kit is also a 73+ disk set up, so it does widen the track width. With the wheels further out, it’s possible you’re getting interference with your tires somewhere that’s limiting your turning.
 
I do not think there is a clearance issue with the tires. I can however, see where there is contact with the steering stop.

The idler arm was replaced at the same time. Could that affect turning radius?

David
 
I do not think there is a clearance issue with the tires. I can however, see where there is contact with the steering stop.

The idler arm was replaced at the same time. Could that affect turning radius?

David

If it's not going through it's whole range of motion, sure.
 
To OP:

Did you ultimately find your turning radius had changed as a result of your brake conversion?

I thank you in advance.

David
 
To OP:

Did you ultimately find your turning radius had changed as a result of your brake conversion?

I thank you in advance.

David
Look at the pic in post #26. On my 64 the bolts that hold the lwr BJ to the spindle had the heads towards the lwr control arm. I'm installing the wilwood kit and it requires the bolts to be install with the head towards the disc and the thread end and nut towards the lwr control arm. the ends of the bolts stick out considerably further then the head would which then contacts the lwr arm and limits your turning radius. Something to look at if you reused those bolts.
Gary
 
I will check that out (if I can cypher what you said).

Thank you for your interest.

David
 
Hey David, Yes my turning radius has changed some since my conversion, not so much that it is a problem but yes it has changed. I understand what chrgdrt is saying and I will go out tomorrow and see which way my bolts are facing and determine if a change is to be made. I like what he is saying and if I can regain that small amount of turning radius I will. Thanks for the heads up chrgdrt.
Bob
 
I will anxiously await your analysis.

Thank you in advance for sharing.

David
 
You know I just realized that post 26 and 27 are of my Barracuda so that is the way my bolts are facing. So give me a little time and I am going to see if they can indeed be turned around and if so will it improve my turning radius. Not sure if the rotors will clear the nuts and washers, but if they do it might work. Stay tuned.
Bob
 
One more thing, if you look at post 26 you will see that my sway bar link brackets are up side down at the lower shocks. When I finished up my conversion and took it in for the front end alignment the sway bar was hitting on the torsion bars so I needed to face them downward. OOOPS!!! don't make the same mistake.
Bob
 
Thank you guys. We may well get to the bottom of this.

David
Dave your bolts look much shorter than the one on my dart but you can see if they were installed in the other direction it would increase the turn radius

8EA93230-ADD3-43A6-A523-17C26CC91DF9.jpeg
 
Hummm. I need to get the Barracuda on jack stands and check this out.

Thank you again.
 
Hey Dave I took a look at my Barracuda and the spindle to lower ball joint bolts do not come anywhere near the lower control arms when turned all the way right or left, and my bolts do look a lot shorter than Gary's. I had the car on the ground so it would be just like on the road. I think the problem with turning the bolts around would be that the bolts might hit on the inside of the rotors, not that I re-did mine it just looks that way to me. My radius is a bit smaller but nothing that causes any type of problem.
Bob
 
My change in turning radius is more remarkable than you describe. Most certainly drivable but parks like a long bed pickup. I had the pitman arm replaced at the same time the brakes were done. I remain suspicious that is the culprit.

The investigation to continue...
 
I think the problem with turning the bolts around would be that the bolts might hit on the inside of the rotors, not that I re-did mine it just looks that way to me. My radius is a bit smaller but nothing that causes any type of problem.
Bob
Correct, the only thing you could do leave them the way they are and cut off the excess thread.
 
Guess I'm bored on a snow day. Going back to the upper ball joint and knuckle problem. This still concerns me and I was wondering if the upper control arms were replaced from a 73 Duster would that solve this problem? Would they fit and work with everything else? I don’t suppose 73 ball joints would fit on a 72 down Control arm?
 
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