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Disc brake conversion

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Ken791

Freshman Member
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I am converting my BE, I bought the steering parts from a later model 1972 Midget.
Since the steering arm is different than the original BE arm, can I still use the original arm for the conversion? If I can't, that would open up a whole can of worms.
Also, I was wondering, when others do this conversion do they use the dust shields?
Thanks,
Ken
 
I used the original Bugeye steering arms and the dust shields with my conversion.
 
Ken,
I have been told that you can't use the Bugeye steering arms for a disc brake conversion because the length of the arm is different between disc and drum brake arms and there are not enough threads on the tie rod to adjust out the difference. I have built and converted several drum to disc brake setups and always use the disc brake arm. You can use the arms from the 72 Midget, but you will probably have to change the tie rod ends to match the steering arms. 72 was the year that the tie rod ends and steering arms went from the small post and hole to a larger post and hole. It's easy to tell what you have if you compare the 2 arms, the size of the hole is visibly different. And, yes, the later model tie rod ends will fit an earlier(ie, Bugeye) steering rack.
Dust shields are usually a preference of the owner of the car. I have seen cars with and without dust shields. I use them on my car, but a good friend doesn't have them on his.
Rick
 
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