Update on the "Blackbirds Custom Trucks" drum to disk conversion kit for my 99. No offense to Blackbirds intended here, as I understand from cruising the Cadillac Eldorado forums, the 76-78 Eldo rear calipers are what many outfits are using for truck drum to disk conversions "emphasis" here is when the buyer specifies "must have e-brake". If you don't need e-brake they use a different caliper in the kit.
To the point: whoever the guy was that designed these POS eldo rear "integrated e-brake" calipers should have been tortured long and slow and allowed to die over many many weeks. That said, here's the deal. As I was installing rear wheelhouse flares I figured I'd take a look at the rear pads = good thing I did as they were pretty darned thin. More on the old pads later… I had to remove the e-brake cable to actuating arm and disconnect the fluid line to the calipers = both sides and remove totally from the diff. "Then" the fun began… Of course the pistons had to be moved back into the caliper = no you can't just take a C-clamp and press then in (I tried) as they "turn into" the caliper. I could go on but will just say the end result after finally getting the pistons moved into the caliper and the lever for the e-brake set on the "off-stop" and have enough room for the new pads to fit over the rotor netted me a low pedal and e-brakes that don't work !@#$!!! I power bled (psi tank connected to the master cylinder @ 15psi) the rear calipers, of course pass side first then driver side. I cleared all the air until clear fluid was present in the clear hose attached to the bleed screw and "then" purged an extra 2 cups per side as I tapped the piston area on the caliper with my trusty rubber hammer to help purge and lingering bubbles from the caliper/piston. Like I said end result low brake pedal, long travel till all brakes catch, meaning about 1.5" below the go pedal. The blasted thing acts like there's air in the system = if you push the brake pedal down till they grab, let off and hit again when you come to a stop the brake pedal is even with the go pedal. I prefer a firm and very short travel on my brakes, call me silly… Anyhow, after reading the caddy eldo forms I found that even back in the day these calipers were nightmares to the service Techs who often, replaced the whole caliper with loaded pads, versus screwing around trying to adjust this and that on the old calipers to make sure the e-brake worked. Rant, at least on these POS calipers, complete. For my next rant… remember I mentioned the old pads? Here goes; the left outside top had about ⅜" of material while the bottom had about 1/16" and the inside pad was exact opposite, you guessed it right side pads were the same. Since I used slide-glide when installing these (feel it's only fair to mention the install was back in 10/2011, so I'm happy I got 4 years out of the pads) I know they weren't sticky. Also, when I installed the adapter plates, I made sure mating surfaces to the axle tube end were free of rust and etc. So, I'm guessing the adapter plates are "not quite rite". Of course I sent Blackbirds an email a few days ago asking for help on these blasted calipers and mentioning the uneven pad wear, but I don't know if they're even in business anymore? I've not had a reply to my email and haven't tried to call yet, but when I searched for Blackbirds Custom Trucks the net found many negative and old information from other customers although not related to the conversion kit. So, my dillemma is convert back to drums, purchase loaded calipers, or try to screw with what I have?
As I mentioned in an earlier post: if you can find a stock Dodge with rear disk set up in a parts yard that might be the best course. In fact, although I'm out $700 (4 years ago BTW) I might just see if I can locate a donor…. Rants complete…for now #@$%!
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
