I have a 65' Mustang convertible, 6 cyl, with manual brakes and steering. I grew up with cars that had manual systems, therefore, I have been surprised at how really bad the brakes on my mustang are. I have had them totally refurbished, new shoes, housings, etc. They stiil are what I consider to be marginal, at best. Moreover, the manual steering feels like you are driving a not so good truck. Any comments?
Rpeeler

 

I'm no expert, but what I've been reading is that mustang brakes weren't that great. In addition, the drum brakes that you have are pretty poor regardless of power or manual braking. The idea that I've come to accept is that discs are a decent way to go to fix that issue. That's just my thoughts as a new mustang enthusiast. Good luck!

 

any 40 yr old brakes are going to suck. Especially drums. Getting front discs and brake booster is a good step up. I have front disc kit installed and im planning on getting a brake booster as well. Then of course rear brakes down the road.

 

I agree with ya,my truck is manual drums and they are great compared to my mustang. I'm switching to discs on it.

 

Concise, accurate and to the point. Excellent job my man! [sm=hail.gif]

It can be made much better, with the use of the "5-P" principles.

Good luck,

 

On the manual steering effort, my 66 I6 steered like a lumber wagon when I got it a year ago. I replaced the 20-year-old cross-ply tires with modern radials and it was like getting power steering. I looked at retro tires at Coker but went local and conservative on size with P195/75x14. Also, I'm thinking about doing a post on steering. I wonder if the steering wheel effort gets tougher if you go to lower profile tires...I would have liked to put BF Goodrich Radial TA's on it, maybe 205/65 or whatever the choices are. But with the 6-banger you have to consider the look, too. I'm afraid my car will always be cute, not husky.

Also, read the strings and FAQs on disc brake conversions. Everything I see looks like you're gonna have a wheel issue...4-bolt steel wheels have clearance problems on the kits you see advertised. The granada conversion means you have to deal with your rear wheels as 4-bolt and front's with 5...so carry two spares? swap in a V8 axle? is there a 5-bolt drum that fits on the little axle (like from a maverick or something)?

 

Yes, I totally agree that disk brakes are far superior to drum brakes. However, if the drum brakes are adjusted right, and you learn to start stopping before you have to, the drums work just fine. It's all a matter of learning to drive with drum brakes.

 

Is what I can't understand is why the drum brakes on my mustang are so bad. I'm changing mine cause its really just horrible, and everything is new. If the brakes on the mustang were as good as the manual drums on my 1970 truck, I would be very happy. It still baffles me why a truck that weighs 4300lbs can stop so much better.

 

Glen,

You said it best! You have to learn to drive with drum brakes. Disks are FAR superior whether you get power rakes or not (there's a reason NO vehicle comes with front drums anymore). I have the 4 wheel disk brakes on mine but they aren't power and it doesn't bother me at all.

 

Im used to manual drums though. Never drove anything else, but the ones on the mustang just stink.