HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
It has to be down to the inner tie rod end as any difference elsewhere caused only very minor change at the pinch point. Even I f the early steering arms are shorter the radial displacement is negated at full lock. I intend to try shimming the inner tapers so I can take out the washers thus opening up the pinch point.
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Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
May be a visual trick but it looks like Rosco's inner tie rods have a deeper offset to yours Errol - - also the shape around the grease cup also different - perhaps the aftermarket ones had slight casting changes?
You will find me lost somewhere!
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Yes Wally, they are different without doubt. I have some original ones and they are much narrower at the ball and socket end where they curve around. I’m considering whether it would be safe to grind mine out to resemble the factory ones. In the meantime my fitter mate is getting me some 1mm machine shim sheet for the tapers. Maybe it’d be easier to just buy another pair of ends. Bitten by eBay again.
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HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
I thought I would revive Rosco’s old thread. I am piecing together bits for the front end to go in my panel van project. I picked up a drum brake front end for a good price a few years ago, and got a set of disc brake stubs, hubs and callipers from a mate to go on it.
Doing the front alignment on Elle’s sedan and having trouble getting negative camber got me wondering about this unit I have, and it appears to have the HD lower control arms. I mentioned to a club member that I was on the hunt for a pair of HR ones and he kindly gave me a pair he had lying around.
This shows the stamping on the lower left arm, which is pretty obvious.

Sorry about the blurry photos. This new phone is giving me the shits. Side by side the difference is far from obvious, however some careful measurement makes it apparent that the HR arm is 6mm longer.
Next step will be to relocate the engine mounts.
Then it can all go in the acid bath.
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Doing the front alignment on Elle’s sedan and having trouble getting negative camber got me wondering about this unit I have, and it appears to have the HD lower control arms. I mentioned to a club member that I was on the hunt for a pair of HR ones and he kindly gave me a pair he had lying around.

This shows the stamping on the lower left arm, which is pretty obvious.

Sorry about the blurry photos. This new phone is giving me the shits. Side by side the difference is far from obvious, however some careful measurement makes it apparent that the HR arm is 6mm longer.
Next step will be to relocate the engine mounts.

Then it can all go in the acid bath.
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Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Are you going to use the "they should fit about there" method or will you dummy it up in the van before gluing the new mounts on ?
What are you doing for steering ? Stock or rack and pinion ??
What are you doing for steering ? Stock or rack and pinion ??
I started with nothing and still have most of it left.
Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Just chop the old mounts off Clay and buy a new set from Pete Mallaby on Ebay, he made them off the drawings I sent him a few years ago.
Always better to dummy fit I think, just my two sense.
Always better to dummy fit I think, just my two sense.
Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
That’s funny, I saw Pete claiming he drew and coded the mounts himself on Facebook the other day. Easier than trying to explain to the masses.
I’ve moved the centre part of the firewall back about 40mm and plan to put the donk well back. Planning a 12 port motor so no triples to require firewall clearence. I was thinking out loud, or rather in text. Yes, they have to be dummied, prolly even including the shortened borgy and LJ length tail shaft. Want to use this as it is what I have. Most likely I will just cut them off now, soak and etch it all and dummy the mounts in later. I should really focus on the body first.
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I’ve moved the centre part of the firewall back about 40mm and plan to put the donk well back. Planning a 12 port motor so no triples to require firewall clearence. I was thinking out loud, or rather in text. Yes, they have to be dummied, prolly even including the shortened borgy and LJ length tail shaft. Want to use this as it is what I have. Most likely I will just cut them off now, soak and etch it all and dummy the mounts in later. I should really focus on the body first.
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Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
you'll have to put plates or something under mounts to set engine back that far, even with a stock firewall my mounts are usually hanging off the rear of the crossmember by about 10mm
sometimes yor just better off shitting in yor hands and clapping
W.S.C.C.A
Woodstock chapter
W.S.C.C.A
Woodstock chapter
HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Yep, same here mick. Will fab up my own I tink. Need to compare diff and tail shaft dimensions and work out how much further back I can go. I want to try and eliminate the drag link fouling the sump also, so need to raise them also, subject to clearance and drive line angles of course. Yeah, conventional steering Neil.
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Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
My original drawings that were sent to Pete feel free to use them guys
Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
If you can convert that to a DXF file I can have them laser cut Neil



I started with nothing and still have most of it left.
Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
I'll see what I can do Blacky have an acquaintance that is pretty handy with CAD the drawing of the mount unfolded needs to be cleaned up a bit.
These were the other drawings I sent, these were for the engine side mounts for my V6 in to the Ute which I welded up and used, this time for the wagon I have bought CRS.
These were the other drawings I sent, these were for the engine side mounts for my V6 in to the Ute which I welded up and used, this time for the wagon I have bought CRS.
Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Not trying to be a smart arse just showing not all you read is true 

Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Those drawings are excellent, though I did think you might have done them in CAD. Only a select few of us are privy to your genius mate. Never mind all those poor mugs that try and get by on Facebook.
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Re: HD/HR disc front end - re-conditioning.
Never used CAD mate (the actual program that is) unless you mean cardboard
I'll clean them up and get them into CAD by a friend


I'll clean them up and get them into CAD by a friend
Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
The Reverend FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)