Got a lot figured today.
Checked on availability of front wheel bearings.
-- NAPA does not offer the early axle wheel bearings
-- NAPA can get the later axle wheel bearings, ~$90 each, or about $360 for a complete set for the whole front axle, seems really expensive to me. They did not list a tapered roller replacement.
Picked up a
front rotor front rotor for a mid 90's Chevy 1 ton 4x4 dually, as well as the caliper and a set of pads. The rotor is 12.5" diameter and 1.5" thick, caliper has a huge bore.
Removed all the old brake parts from the 52 (or is it 53?) axle. Also removed studs and the grease deflector that the studs held to the hub.
Test fit the new rotor to the back side of the hub. For a permanent solution the stud holes in the hub will need to be enlarged to match the rotor, and a pretty heavy bushing needs to be made to locate the bore of the rotor to the snout on the backside of the hub. Seems a very reasonable solution.
Test fit hub and rotor to axle and it fits just fine with plenty of room where needed.
Hung a caliper on the rotor and can see that it's possible to make a caliper bracket, even have a plan in my head for one.
And finally test fit hub, rotor, and caliper in the wheel . Caliper fits in the 19.5" wheel with about 1/2" clearance, plenty I think.
So, one method involves mid 90's 1 ton parts, bushings for the center of the rotor/hub, enlarged wheel stud holes and new studs (9/16" in place of the old 1/2"). And a fabricated caliper bracket.
Downsides are it uses old bearings that are expensive and the old felt type grease seal.
Grigg
