Hi, scored a front axle to go under my Austin pickup. Doe anyone know what hubs,bearings,discs etc I need to look for to give me decent brakes. Thanks, Cy.
What kind of axle and spindles do you have? Is it a Willys axle(what year) or an axle for your Austin(Ford, Dodge, etc)?
Axle came from a 41 willys, parallel springs, nice I beam center section with oval ends. Has original spindles and drums, 5 X 4 1/2" studs ( I think ), one side has left hand wheel nuts. Hope some one can advise me. Cheers, Cy.
Look at spindles and hubs from a 2WD Jeep (post office). I think it's a bolt-on. Edit: Oops.....see post #10.
I am using a Willys axle on my Speedster. War time Jeep cylinders and shoes go straight in the 41 drums and are cheap and are good enough to stop a Jeep which should be heavier than your Austin. Rich
I thought at one time someone used Volvo discs and a hybrid combination of bearings and seals.....I never have but I recall it. Try www.g***ermadness for specifics. There was also an individual who produced a set of brackets and a related parts list that used mid 70's GM intermediate car front discs. He has quit marketing the kit, but once again, someone from g***ermadness may have the details.
I have a similar Willys axle that has what appears to be Pinto/Mustang II rotors on it. I haven't taken it apart so I don't know if the spindles have been machined or not, or if it has mixed bearing combo.
It turns out the spindles were off of a '50's Jeep 2wd wagon....the brakes too. The Willys axle boss is a little shorter than the Jeep spindle so a simple spacer is needed. The bolt circle is 5 on 5 1/2". I'll try to get some pictures later today.
Charlie Stephens from Cinncinnati drew up a set of instructions for putting GM disc brakes on Willys front axles many years back. PM me Simon g-s, and I'll see if I can dig out the plans. All parts are available from any decent parts store (is there still such a thing?) over here, except the caliper brackets which you would have to fabricate.
Here's the setup I was referring to. '39 (or so) Willys axle with 50's 2WD Willys spindles and brakes. You might be able to see the spacer he added to the axle boss.
Appreciate help and advise offered, big thanks to Weasel. See you at Bonneville, I will get there one day! Cy
There is willwood stuff for the willys. Im going to use it when I get to the willys axle im putting in my comet.
This is supposed to be a willys axle, it has some kind of little aluminium discs, and one caliper? I dont know what they are, but it looks like it would have been on something light weight.
I make a disc brake conversion kit for 37-42 Willys spindles that uses a Wilwood disc brake kit. You can PM me if you would like more details.
thanks. Its mine. I dont know much about willys stuff. Is it hard to find spindles, and brake stuff for them? I would like to have drum brakes for it.