Aren't the 84-85 12A cars "big bearing" spindle/hub, same as the SE cars, just a different lug pattern? Can one press an SE hub onto a "big bearing" non SE spindle? Just curiosity setting in, been thinking as I sit here.

 

all 84-85 spindles are the same.

 

So then yes, I can press a 114.3 SE hub onto my existing 110 non SE spindles? Nice to know. Thanks. Might be an alternative to getting the adapter plates, though I hear aftermarket hubs/bearings tend to not last very long.

 

What would you do about the rear?

 

Grannys Ford 8.8 will be going in.

 

How would one go about swapping in the GSL-SE hubs in the rear of a GSL? Why not just pull the hubs and have them redrilled?

 

There's no pressing involved, you just get GSL-SE brake rotors and calipers (not sure on backing plates).

For the rear, you need at least the GSL-SE axles and brakes, the '84-85 DISC housings are all the same. They won't bolt into a drum housing.

No 1st-gen has separate hubs.

 

as far as I know you will need the front backing plates for the SE.

you will need the rotors, calipers, caliper brackets, hardware, etc. front and rear. Like peejay said, you will need the SE axles and a GSL or GSL-SE housing.

 

This kind of confuses me. I've owned 2 FB's, but never have I even removed a wheel on either one, so I'm not up to speed on the brake systems on them. Anybody have pictures of the rotors and backing plates?

 

If no one else posts, I can get a pic of the spindles and backing plates. I don't have any rotors though. Have you looked at the FSM?

 

I guess I should. I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to slow down and look, nor have I taken the brakes apart yet. I have heard that the hub and rotor is sort of a combined unit. Its never made sense in my head. So is the rotor pressed onto the spindle like a hub would be? Or what does the bearing ride on?

 

its an old car, it doesn't have sealed bearings. think of it like a T2, except the rotor and hub are one casting.

 

Ah. makes more sense now. Thanks

So since all 84-85 spindles are the same, shouldn't I be able to buy new rotors, bearings, calipers and brackets and use my existing suspension and spindles? Even my Haynes isn't very detailed about exactly how many parts there are. Is it the rotor, I would assume an inner and outer bearing, the end cap/washer and nut? Or is there more to it? That would save me from having to use an adapter plate, which to me was always less than ideal. Also, I guess since nothing is press fit, the bearings simply fit tightly, and it is all sandwiched and held together by the spindle nut? Never dealt with a hub and spindle like this.

 

It's tapered bearings like have been done since the beginning of forever, the bearings are a loose fit on the spindle and the spindle nut adjusts the free-play of the bearing. I am fairly sure the FCs are like this too, for what it's worth. (Actually, I know they are, since I had my FC setup apart to clean up the rotors on the lathe, and I left the rotors on the hubs to eliminate any chance of runout problems)

The backing plate is what the caliper's pad carrier bolts to. The strut/spindle assembly is the same part on both sides of the car, what makes it left or right is the backing plate/caliper bracket. (The steering arm is a separate piece) Just four bolts that you access after you take the rotor off.

The problem you may run into is that most of these parts are probably not available anymore. I know that GSL-SE rotors are difficult to find and expensive when found, and those are wear items, unlike the backing plates which are not.

 

Well when searching 84 or 85 1.3L RX7's on places like RockAuto I get quite a few hits on the rotors, calipers and brackets, I would just need the backing plates I guess. It really would be helpful for me to just get out there and start taking it apart and see it for myself to know what I need exactly.