Date: Wed, 21 May 2003
Hello Glenn,
Finally finished the brakes and rear suspension on the 68 1800. The only springs I could make work were for the Girling brakes. I had to cut them to the correct length and bend the eye 90 degrees to the other eye. The kits are available from IPD -- these are for the Girling brakes. I would advise anyone doing a restoration to convert to the earlier Girling brakes. You will need to buy the Girling style back plate, adjuster, wheel cylinder, hardware kit. I would have done this if I had not already purchased the wheel cylinders and sand-blasted the brake backing plates and small parts for the Wagner setup that is specific to the 68 1800. I also pulled the axles to check the bearings. They were in good condition but the grease had been all used up and turned to wax. I replaced the seals for good measure and cleaned and repacked the bearings and filled the space with grease between seal and flange. I am sending 2 pictures.
Doug Morgan, Canton, Ohio.
Before and after photos show the extraordinary detailing of Doug's '68 brakes: