Custom truck enthusiasts are known to be dreamers, but the dream is not fulfilled until the unbelievable becomes a reality. Last month, we introduced our '50 Suburban "Sublime" project. In that issue, we visited Rodger Lee and his crew at Ironworks Speed & Kustom in Bakersfield, California. At that time, the incredible Chris Alston's Chassisworks g-Machine 2x4-inch full frame and suspension were assembled. It was now time to install a set of Chassisworks/Wilwood disc brakes onto the top-notch chassis.
With camera in hand, we returned to Ironworks Speed & Kustom for the second part of "Sublime," where Jason Breed bolted on the 13-inch front and 11 3/4-inch rear disc brakes. The Chassisworks g-Street front disc brake assemblies consisted of bolted together billet aluminum hats and hubs. Out back, the rear brake system was set up with Wilwood's drum-type parking brake system and Wilwood's DynaPro black anodized forged billet aluminum, four-piston calipers. The brake lines, fittings, and Wilwood master cylinder will be installed at a later date.
Arriving at Ironworks Speed...
Arriving at Ironworks Speed & Kustom, in Bakersfield, California, we set out all of the 'Burban's brake hardware from Chassisworks and Wilwood. The front brakes consisted of Wilwood billet aluminum hats and hubs, 13-inch vented rotors, and four-piston billet aluminum calipers.
Starting with the front Wilwood...
Starting with the front Wilwood brakes, Jason Breed used a 1/2-inch deep socket to secure the six-point 3x1/2-inch wheel studs to the Chassisworks front hubs and hats. The front hubs were set up with a 5 on 4 3/4 wheel bolt pattern.
Next up, the Timken tapered...
Next up, the Timken tapered wheel bearing races were pressed into the billet aluminum Wilwood hubs. Wheel bearing grease was then packed into the front Timken tapered wheel bearings, before installing them into the Timken races (not shown). The wheel bearing seals were positioned and a seal installer tool was used to drive the seals into the hubs and the rotor assembly was then slid onto the spindle.
The castle nuts were torqued...
The castle nuts were torqued to 12 lb-ft and then backed-off to "just loose," then handtightened with about .001 to .005 inches of play. The cotter pins were then inserted into the spindle shaft holes and bent over, eliminating the castle nuts from becoming loose or backing-off. A 5/16-inch Allen socket and ratchet were then used to secure the Chassisworks front brake caliper mounting brackets to the spindles.
It was now time to mount the...
It was now time to mount the Wilwood four-piston caliper to the bracket. Again, a 5/16-inch Allen and ratchet were used to secure the caliper to the mounting bracket.
After mounting the front Wilwood...
After mounting the front Wilwood four-piston calipers to the Chassisworks mounting brackets, the Wilwood semi-metallic brake pads were inserted between the rotors and calipers. The quick release clips were then ready to be inserted into the brake calipers (which keeps the Wilwood brake pads secured).
The front Chassisworks/Wilwood...
The front Chassisworks/Wilwood brake assemblies were now complete and we moved onto the rear setup.