Thread: Need Steeltech Brake Help

Back in the 1990's, I ordered two disc brake conversion kits from Dave at Steeltech. One was his deluxe kit that included his adapter brackets, calipers, and pads. The other set was just the adapters. He sent no instructions with the kits. I called him and he told me what what rotors to buy, so I went to most wrecking yards in my area, and purchased the rotors Dave specified. Unfortunately, each and every rotor was worn way too thin, and no machine shop would turn them. So, I returned them all to the wrecking yards. I asked Dave more than once for parts needed lists and instructions, but never received such. Disappointingly, I boxed the stuff up and put it back on the shelf until a few days ago.

It is now time for me to revisit such projects, as I have a couple cars I'd like to convert to discs. I had two phone numbers for Dave, but now neither re working. Thus, I would like to inquire of my fellow forumites if anyone knows the answers to the questions that follow.

1) I do not remember what rotors I bought some 20 years ago. 'Seems to me they were something like Chrysler Cordoba from the early 70's, but I would not bet my life on it. Does anyone know for sure what rotors I am supposed to buy?

2) If I buy Chinese rotors am I likely to have a problem?

3) What do I use for inner and outer wheel bearings, races, and grease seals?

4) What do I use for brake flex hoses?

5) Dave said that his kits were designed to be so big, powerful, and effective that I would not need power assist. One of my intended applications is a fully loaded, 2 ton, '64 Daytona wagon. Can I indeed get by without power assist?

6) Once installed, do Dave's brakes work well, or are people having problems?

7) One bracket/caliper assembly has a bit of red spray paint on it, and the other assembly has a bit of blue. I presume this was to designate left from right. Does anyone know which is which?

8) If I am successful in using the deluxe kit, I will need calipers for my "brackets only" kit to do another car. Can anyone identify these calipers so I can know what to order in the future?

9) Is there any other info I should be aware of?

Along with the kits he sent , there was an empty brake pad box Carquest BD85. I presume these were the pads installed on the deluxe kits. Maybe this will help someone identify what I have. Attached are a few pictures I took of both the deluxe assemblies and the brackets only. I sincerely thank you in advance for any help and guidance provided.

Larry

Back in the 1990's, I ordered two disc brake conversion kits from Dave at Steeltech. One was his deluxe kit that included his adapter brackets, calipers, and pads. The other set was just the adapters. He sent no instructions with the kits. I called him and he told me what what rotors to buy, so I went to most wrecking yards in my area, and purchased the rotors Dave specified. Unfortunately, each and every rotor was worn way too thin, and no machine shop would turn them. So, I returned them all to the wrecking yards. I asked Dave more than once for parts needed lists and instructions, but never received such. Disappointingly, I boxed the stuff up and put it back on the shelf until a few days ago.

It is now time for me to revisit such projects, as I have a couple cars I'd like to convert to discs. I had two phone numbers for Dave, but now neither re working. Thus, I would like to inquire of my fellow forumites if anyone knows the answers to the questions that follow.

1) I do not remember what rotors I bought some 20 years ago. 'Seems to me they were something like Chrysler Cordoba from the early 70's, but I would not bet my life on it. Does anyone know for sure what rotors I am supposed to buy?

Not sure, but on his original kits he used a Chrysler rotor, that (AFAIK) is now no longer available and has not been for several years.

2) If I buy Chinese rotors am I likely to have a problem?

HA! If you find any US made rotors, let me know, I ran Raybestoes out of US and Canadian rotors years ago. The Chinese should be ok, sometimes they get boxed wrong!

3) What do I use for inner and outer wheel bearings, races, and grease seals?

Studebaker used the A-2 and A-6 bearings, (as does my kit) My kit uses the 68-69 Mustang seal, like the rotor

4) What do I use for brake flex hoses?

Again, not sure, but if you determine a length, I can make up any brake hose for you, that will NOT be a problem, let me know the length you need and what size the banjo bolt is.

5) Dave said that his kits were designed to be so big, powerful, and effective that I would not need power assist. One of my intended applications is a fully loaded, 2 ton, '64 Daytona wagon. Can I indeed get by without power assist?

I do not know about his brakes, mine are smaller, and will stop a non power brake vehicle with no problem, make take just a little bit more leg power.

6) Once installed, do Dave's brakes work well, or are people having problems?


7) One bracket/caliper assembly has a bit of red spray paint on it, and the other assembly has a bit of blue. I presume this was to designate left from right. Does anyone know which is which?

Try to bolt one up to a spindle, on the original Studebaker disc brakes, the caliper was in front of the king pin, they will "fit" better if they are behind the king pin

8) If I am successful in using the deluxe kit, I will need calipers for my "brackets only" kit to do another car. Can anyone identify these calipers so I can know what to order in the future?

Again, I "think" they are Chrysler, mid 70's? Take one to a parts store, and start looking at their calipers!


9) Is there any other info I should be aware of?

Along with the kits he sent , there was an empty brake pad box Carquest BD85. I presume these were the pads installed on the deluxe kits. Maybe this will help someone identify what I have. Attached are a few pictures I took of both the deluxe assemblies and the brackets only. I sincerely thank you in advance for any help and guidance provided.

There is a start, go to car quest, ask them to look up what those pads fit! That will tell you the caliper that you have. Rotors, I do not know other than a Chrysler.

I hope this helps,

Jim

One of his old brochures says they are 11 13/16" rotors and calipers made by Kelsey-Hayes and used by AMC, Ford, and Chrysler on their largest cars. Your calipers are 4 piston with a cross-over pipe? The paint markings could mean left and right, but just be sure the bleeders are at the top on each side when installed.

Go here for the info you seek and more. Above all, do NOT throw away the parts you have. It is a nice setup. Too bad Dave did not treat his custmers better. https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...12-quot-Rotors

Don't....toss any of it, it'll work just fine. Yes...do not use the thin rotors..!
The Turner kit uses the "same" rotors, calipers, hoses, etc., etc.

I may still have the parts rundown at home. I'll look and see if I can find it (if no one else does before that), but again, the same Ford/chrysler (rotors) and GM (calipers) are used in both kits.

The "offshore" parts you are talking about...don't worry...just because it says Napa or whatever you favorite store is...most of it now days...comes from off shore..!

Mike

I have not used his parts but his website is still up for info only it says-----https://www.steeltechsolutions.com/

Joe posted the entry with my box that gave the rotor #.

I have the Steeltech setup on the 83 Avanti when I purchased the car. If you need help I can send photos of whatever you need. Just PM if you need anything else.

The setup works fine, but needless to say when I ordered a system for my 74 it came from Turner Brakes. I don't see any reason not to use it though, as you have it already.

Bob

I used the "big police car" kit still shown on the steeltech website. I had no trouble with the brackets or parts, they are impala based and easy to find. I did not get the rotors from steeltech, as I am fine with a chevy bolt pattern on my hot rod. I don't run a power booster, and the site says you do not have to.
I am un-impressed with the brakes.
I'm sure Jim Turner would readily agree to this statement - the system has to work as a whole. I've tried 2 different master cylinders that were built for manaul disc/drum setups, but it's still not where I want it to be. The front calipers are huge, and i don't think I can get enough fluid in there. I cannot lock up my front brakes, even when standing on them. I consider that a problem.
I'm getting closer to the point of tossing the steeltech stuff, and probably calling Turner.

Originally Posted by Michidan

I cannot lock up my front brakes, even when standing on them. I consider that a problem.

Why would one want to lock up his brakes? Locking up your brakes results in a loss of control. You want them to get just to the point prior to locking for completely effective braking and maintaining control.

The whole point of anti-lock brakes is to keep people from locking their brakes and losing control.

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Why would one want to lock up his brakes? Locking up your brakes results in a loss of control. You want them to get just to the point prior to locking for completely effective braking and maintaining control.

The whole point of anti-lock brakes is to keep people from locking their brakes and losing control.

michidan didn't say he wanted to lock up his front brakes, he said he was concerned that he couldn't lock them up, which would concern me too knowing the car didn't have the ability to lock the front brakes....how would one practice threshhold braking then? just saying, Junior.

Michidan -

Just using two master cylinders doesn't guartantee anything...you need to try different "piston" sizes.
My Dave L. brakes work just fine on my Lark. Have for the almosr 12 years I've owned it and I assume the previous owner that did the install.

Though I do like the brakes I made up and installed on my Conestoga.
Willwood calipers (4 piston), front and rear, with a Wilwood master cylinder and no booster. Stops excellent, doesn't need my 24" thigh muscle at all. Will lock the wheels if asked, but I try not to.

Most problems come from not matching the caliper piston sizes (all four corners) vs. the master cylinder size.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike Van Veghten

Michidan -

Just using two master cylinders doesn't guartantee anything...you need to try different "piston" sizes.
My Dave L. brakes work just fine on my Lark. Have for the almosr 12 years I've owned it and I assume the previous owner that did the install.

Though I do like the brakes I made up and installed on my Conestoga.
Willwood calipers (4 piston), front and rear, with a Wilwood master cylinder and no booster. Stops excellent, doesn't need my 24" thigh muscle at all. Will lock the wheels if asked, but I try not to.

Most problems come from not matching the caliper piston sizes (all four corners) vs. the master cylinder size.

Mike

Mike, give us more info -- what size calipers and MC did you match up?
Which rotors did you use? Make your own brackets?

What juinor said. I don't plan on locking the brakes, but I believe the car should do it if i try hard enough.
I my case both MC were 1" bore. I should try at this point to keep the topic on the steeltech kit. I might be able to refine my own system a bit better, but I would need some help from someone like Dave L, and he sounds pretty hard to get ahould of. Nothing is stock on my car, so it may not have much compariosn to what others may have experienced using a Steeltech kit.

Superhawk, Check your PM's

I have a complete set of instructions for the instalation of front & back Steel Teck disk brakes. I have installed them on my '58 Packard that I am rebuilding. Have not had the car running yet, so can't answer for operation. I do know that they fit fine. Used '85 Seville rear calipers with built in parking brakes & Lincoln rotors. I can send you a copy of the instructions if you would like. Am not tech savy enough to scan them to the computer and E-Mail them to you. Might be able to do it, but suspect it would be safer to mail you a set. If you would like them ,send me a PM with your address and I will mail them out. Will also send you a set of the brakes pictures as installed. Bob Fish

Yes, Bob, that would be great

PM sent

Larry

Originally Posted by JLB

I have a pair of new SteelTech brackets if anyone is interested. Cheap as well.
Send a PM if interested.
Thanks
John

John,
PM sent.
Joe

Joe Hall looked at these brackets that I have and determined they are for rear disc brakes. Still available, still cheap!
John
Louisville KY

For which rear axle? He made them for at least Dana 44 and Ford 9", maybe others.

jack vines

Jack, I have absolutely no idea which rear axle they fit. Truth be know, I thought they were front brackets.
When I get them back from Joe Hall in a day or two, I can e-mail you some photos with some measurements if you are interested.
John

John,
I just went out into the garage and checked, the adapter ring mates perfectly with a spacer from a Stude rear end flange. So, for sure it fits Stude, but not sure what else it might fit.
Joe

The info on the early brakes from early in this post are correct. I think I still have my instruction sheets for the brakes in my files and will check and see. The correct rotors are from the '68 Ford LTD. These rotors are direct drop ons for the Stude spindles, use same bearings seals etc. The issue is that these rotors are a one year only from Ford. They are now pretty well non-existant from aftermarket and Ford dealers. (Jack you may be right they might be available again from Chinese parts sources I have not checked for a long time.) I found a set from a Ford LTD nut in Hemmings. This guy, and I may still have his card had a whole shed full of these rotors since he stripped them off of every 68 LTD he found. The calipers are as noted Kelsey Hayes early 70's big Chryslers, AMCs and others. If I find my instructions I will scan and post.

I put these on my '64 Hawk back in '94 and have not had one problem with them, with the exception that I had to put spacers behind the wheels (used Ford Ranger 5" wheels). I plan one of these days to get the 6" Chrysler wheels I have on but just have not gotten around to it yet. The newer STeel Tech brakes are a totally different setup and bracket.

I agree with Jack at one time Dave was a great vendor and did a lot of pioneering work for Stude aftermarket stuff, trans adapters, brakes, head work, HEIs (bought one of these too), etc. I had him do two sets of R series heads, port polish and Chevy valve conversion and he did a great job. Somewhere along the line he got off into the weeds and has never returned. I have tried several times to contact him over the last few years with no response.