From China, a poor man drives a 95 4dr. 4x4 chevy blazer, a die-hard lover for American truck based body on frame cars...

Got very much frustrated these days after failed to swap the old rear drum brake to 98+ disc brake setup. i ordered new calipers, brackets, park brakes, as well as disc rotors (15704667) from gmpartsdirect, but decide to continue using the current rear axle shaft, and save myself hundred of dollars from international shipping cost!

My assumption is, the existing shaft(95-97 model year, 26013882) is 29 inch in length, and the 98+ shaft (26050549) appears shorter, which is 28 15/16 inch, and 1/16 inch won't make a big difference!

But to my surpise, when i put everything onto the rear brake, this old shaft is too short to reach the hub of the disc rotor, which are supposed to be tightly bolted up through 6 studs, and the gap is over 1.4 inch. however, by no means could i push the disc rotor further towards the shaft, coz the disc rotor contacts the park brake plate in the back.

I have been pondering for a long while, but couldn't find out what went wrong with my work. The only possibility might be the wrong official data provided on the lengths of the shafts, which in fact, the 98+ (26050549) is longer than the 98-(26013882) other than what is stated on many webs?

Totally confused! anybody else would be kind enough to give me a hand? any tip will be very much welcome! as i need bring this cool american iconic car back running onto the streets! and thx a million!

 

If using a drum rear housing, you need to space the caliper. Some people cut around the old drum backing plate I believe and use that as a spacer. Or you can buy these.

 

Thx for the advise, jason, the caliper is spaced, to ensure its right position relative to the disc rotor....

 

Maybe some pictures would help if you could. Also your axles are 6 lug not 5?

 

The rear axle shaft is 6 lug, the hub of the disc rotor is too deep, and the flange of the axle shaft cannot reach it, they are supposed to be tightly connected by 6 bolts.

 

thx a lot!