Reply to "Installing Brake Kit"

Here's how to get the axle nuts off:

Up on jack stands, wheels and half shafts off. New "billet" axle nut tool on the nut, 3/4" ratchet inserted. One person in the cockpit, pulls the e-brake on really hard, starts the engine to get the benefit of vacuum assist to the brakes, and smashes the brakes so hard that it seems like the hydraulic lines will burst for sure.

The other guys puts a floor jack handle over the ratchet handle and pulls up on the driver's side axle nut, from the rear, by the exhaust, while holding his breath. Flip the ratchet driver's toggle and do the same thing on the other side car. The axles and nuts have reverse threads on each side, LH and RH threads.

My driver's side rear axle has been replaced, the passenger side axle is stock.

It is a WARNING here: the passenger side axle nut was no where near 400 ft/lb torque. It was much easier to loosen that axle nut. Loose by spec is what I'm warning here, may want to check yours, by the way....

These are cars and things get loose all by themselves. I saw a picture of a guy's Pantera at a Vegas track event where his rear axle nut came off!

My passenger side rotor spun very freely, but has play in it. My driver's side rotor was rubbing on the upright tab, and was somewhat warped. My Pantera must have had it's 150 to 0 braking test done already, enough heat to warp the stock rotor.

I scooped up the last three issues of POCA to take to the machinist tomorrow. Fred Terry has donated his expertise to review and publish the three ways to upgrade the rear bearings. My buddy liked Jack DeRyke's because he likes Timkin sealed bearings, but it's the machinist who'll make that decision, based on their skill and equipment. Hate to get a crooked bore with Jack's method, throw away an upright.... All of this is way beyond my skill and knowledge level from this point forward on the bearing business.

Not just to save money, it's nice to get these projects done yourself, that way you are very confident it was all done correctly. If you take the time to learn and ask for the right people's help and use the resources available from this BB, POCA's BB and Pantera International and POCA publications, you can be sure your projects are done the right way.

Thanks to all who have contributed to all these 'data bases' in the past, present and future. Us enthusiasts must stick together for the common Pantera goal: To Drive It. Thanks again to all.