I was asked a question I can't answer. Can you substitute a 5 bolt front drum on to a 4 bolt drum spindle on a '71 without changing the spindles?
You didn't mention if the spindle in question is drum or disc. If it's for drum brakes that same spindle was used on '70 Falcons, Fairlanes, Cougars, Mustangs, and '71 Comets, Montegos, and Torinos.
BTW, on my own car I used the '70 Mustang 5-lug backing plates and drums on the original Maverick 4-lug spindle.
I didn't know how long I would be away from a computer, so I asked Wes to post that question for me. Thanks Wes. I'm looking at a 71 Mav with 4 bolt wheels. I have a 72 parts car with 5 bolts wheels. Both cars have drum brakes. The 71 needs new drums and shoes, and I think the 72 has good drums and shoes on it. I would like to swap it over to 5 bolts wheels if it is a no brainer swap. If the drums are different, I'll just buy new drums and shoes for the 4 bolt wheels. So the questions are: Are the drums the same size? and they (Ford) only changed the wheel bolt pattern? Are the wheels bearing the same? Thanks for the help. Russ
The 5-lug drum brakes are 10" diameter, 4-lug are 9" diameter. Everything is a bolt on. Wheel bearings are the same.
Great that's the answer I was looking for. Now all I have to do is go buy the 71 and get to swapping Thanks again. Russ
