We are new to this site and need some advise... My brother and I have bought a 1957 Cadillac Coupe Deville...we would like to upgrade the rear end to disc brakes... can anyone tell me what rear end we can use to do this upgrade...Thanks...
Are the front brakes still drums or have they been converted to discs?
Front are still drum...we have the conversion kit to make the front disc...
I assume you already checked with the people that had the front kit? If you got it from a good supplier and a rear kit existed I would think they would offer it too not to mention it changes the master cylinder.
I checked a few places I have used and the earliest they show for Cadillac is 60. Must mean Cadillac did their own thing before that and not many people are asking for a kit.
Ruben,
I would suggest you have a look at the CLC modified chapter web site (http://www.modifiedcadillac.org) for info. I run discs in the front of my 1955CDV with drums in the rear. Scarebird has brackets for my back also I believe so surely they would also offer 1957 brackets also.....walt...tulsa,ok
More than likely you are going to want a brake power booster so you'll be changing not only the master cylinder but adding the booster as well, and hoping you can figure out how to squeeze it in. I personally seriously doubt you will need discs on the rear. You'll recall when disc brakes came out they were put on the fronts, the place where well over 90% of the stopping power comes from in the first place. I would not go to all the trouble of changing rear ends just to install rear discs. Whomever did the front brackets can most likely do the rear as well. If not, a creative local hot rod shop can probably make you some brackets that will hold the rear calipers if your heart is set on them. Again, I sure don't think you'll ever need discs on the rear, there isn't any stopping power there under any circumstance, all the weight goes forward when you apply the brakes.
Agree rear disc conversion is not worth the trouble unless you are
racing. First you have the emergency brake issue, and then getting
the right proportioning to avoid rear lockup. My 79 rear discs have
been so troublesome, I am looking for the rear drum version car parts.
Bruce Roe
Front disc / rear drum should be just fine.
Thanks everyone for all your advise...it is very helpful...