relocating rear shocks

[wright691]

Need help ! I have come to a standstill on my rear LT1 disc brake setup . I have staggered shocks on my 69 firebird and can't find another right rear caliper mount anywhere . Gm Parts Direct can't get them right now . All junk yards in my area have no 93-97 camaros . So I thought about moving my rear shocks inboard so I can use the left hand brake parts . What's the easiest way to do this and where can I purchase it ? I have the rear end out right now so everything is easy to get to now . Thanks !

[Steve Chryssos]

I did the Competition Engineering shock crossmember, but it is not the right approach. It fits between the frame rails--not above. Intended for drag racing, the CE part does not provide adequate clearance for tailpipes and axle travel in a lowered application. The DSE crossmember is the only right way to do it.

[hotroddr]

you could do like I did and unsafely only run one shock in the rear. Hitting Dips in the road at speed was pretty scary!! I ended up cutting a diagonal 3 inch section out of the floor and welding in a crossmember with a kickup over the middle of the rear end, with shock mounts staggered as they should be on the bottom of the crossmember inside of the springs. As long as you have everything out of there do it the right way, not necessarily the easiest way. You will thank me later.

[MarkM66]

Did you try getting the caliper bracket from your local dealer?

[Steve Chryssos]

A 56 GMC with a Duramax, huh? Pretty cool.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/2135000-2135999/2135587_2_full.jpg

(sorry for the hijack)

[$Mike70Z-28]

dont butcher the car cant you revers the brackets thats what i did on my 70 camaro dr side caliper is the front pass side caliper is in the back

[wright691]

Have not thought of switching sides with the brackets . Will have to trail fit and see . Have not tried local dealership ,thought they would want an arm and leg for one . Worth a call to see though . Thanks for the info guys . The DSE is a little pricey but might be the best way to go .

[nancejd]

I got one from my local dealership, it was only $40. The bad news is that I ordered two. They were as helpful as they could be, but GM couldn't locate a second one. Apparently the part is out of production, and GM doesn't have a contract yet to cast more.

My theory (based on pictures) is that one of the brake companies has bought GM's supply, as their kit looks suspiciously like two right hand side '93 to '97 Camaro rear brakes.

Unless you are going to mini tub it at the same time, it seems like a lot of work to change the shock mounts. Did any other cars use that bracket, say a Caprice or an S-10?

[MarkM66]

That sucks that they stopped making that bracket. That was the cheapest and easiest way to put a decent rear disc on.

I don't think you can flip the brackets. They're offset to fit the caliper, and the holes only line up two ways. I don't think you could get the bleader up, and miss the shock.

[shep]

You could always re-drill the bracket and clock it to where it will work.

[nancejd]

Reclocking a left hand bracket may be the way to go. I'm betting there are a few of those laying around. Hopefully GM will run more someday, since they basically sold out of their stock (I wonder if they know why). You could fabricate a bracket, it wouldn't be much different than what you do for LS-1 fronts, just thicker pieces of steel.

[wright691]

Good old E-bay . Just got a set for $40.00 ! Now to find a right side caliper . Thanks again for all the help .:cool:

[MarkM66]

You could always re-drill the bracket and clock it to where it will work.

That might work. From memory, the brackets where about 1/2" thick, and had indentions for the bolt heads to fit flush.