Toronado.org

Much like the bajillion threads out there on the interwebz, I'm looking to convert my 67 Toronado to disc brakes. Cost and availability are the recurring themes as are pointers to the "Drum Lessons" website. As helpful as the site is, it proves the adage, The more you learn the less you know.


I've possibly found eldorado spindles somewhat within driving distance. One car is a 68 and has the right side, the other car is a 70 and has the left side. Seller *thinks* they are both multi-piston calipers. (havent' gotten word on what top balljoint style is on either of them)

Are any of these parts usable for my toronado?

I'm hoping to not need to replace the upper suspension arms and understand the 3-rivet upper balljoint is the contingency factor.

spank226 wrote:One car is a 68 and has the right side, the other car is a 70 and has the left side. Seller *thinks* they are both multi-piston calipers. (havent' gotten word on what top balljoint style is on either of them) Are any of these parts usable for my toronado?

I'm hoping to not need to replace the upper suspension arms and understand the 3-rivet upper balljoint is the contingency factor.

The 68 will be a muti-piston the 70 will be the single piston style. In the interest of economics I would select/use the 69 and up system which are the single piston style and is what Dave did with his car in Drum Lessons.

That said ... yes the Eldo parts will work but you will open yourself up to can of worms.
Read Drum Lessons thoroughly as it explains the ins and outs, no better description can be found as to what and how to do a Toro disc brake conversion, there are times when the best way to do something is staring us right in the face!

That said ... yes the Eldo parts will work but you will open yourself up to can of worms.
Read Drum Lessons thoroughly as it explains the ins and outs, no better description can be found as to what and how to do a Toro disc brake conversion, there are times when the best way to do something is staring us right in the face!

I looked for about the 200th time and all I found mentioned about eldorado spindles was a photo caption and this:

Identical components are also found in Eldorados of the same era. However I did not thoroughly research this and am apprehensive that the changeover years for the axle half-shafts, steering knuckles, wheel bearings, brake calipers, upper control arms and ball joints, may not be the same as with the Toronado.

Ok, so taking the calipers and the discs out of the equation... Does anyone know:

1) Are the "steering knuckles" aka "Spindles" on a 68 Eldorado the same as the steering knuckles on a 70 Eldorado?

2) Are the steering knuckles on aforementioned 68 and/or 70 Eldorados of the type that will allow one to use the more modern single-piston brake caliper and disc arrangement?

spank226 wrote:

That said ... yes the Eldo parts will work but you will open yourself up to can of worms.
Read Drum Lessons thoroughly as it explains the ins and outs, no better description can be found as to what and how to do a Toro disc brake conversion, there are times when the best way to do something is staring us right in the face!

I looked for about the 200th time and all I found mentioned about eldorado spindles was a photo caption and this:

Identical components are also found in Eldorados of the same era. However I did not thoroughly research this and am apprehensive that the changeover years for the axle half-shafts, steering knuckles, wheel bearings, brake calipers, upper control arms and ball joints, may not be the same as with the Toronado.

Ok, so taking the calipers and the discs out of the equation... Does anyone know:

1) Are the "steering knuckles" aka "Spindles" on a 68 Eldorado the same as the steering knuckles on a 70 Eldorado?

No..... they are not! The Toro /Eldo components are identical ..BUT.. as it applies to each year.
The 67-68s use the pieces as in: knuckles/spindles, axle bearings (one piece), ball joints, quad piston calipers, caliper mounting brackets as well as an inseparable hub /disc and of course wheel bearings.

The early 69' Toro /Eldo are are completely different: knuckle/spindle, axle bearings 2 with separator, upper ball joints, single piston caliper, caliper mounting bracket, with now individual disc and hub and wheel bearings.

Mid /Late Toro /Eldo 69's employed a redesigned upper ball joint*, hence requiring a knuckle change as well, this change became the norm for the 70 and up for both Toro /Eldo, and to my knowledge, other than an upper ball joint change as it mounts to the upper 'A' arm dropping the 3 bolt in favor of the 4 bolt, which required a different upper 'A' are not sure what year this took place no other changes were made.

* this had to do with the ball joint stem, the tapper angle was changed so neither ball joint or knuckle would work correctly in or with the other.

2) Are the steering knuckles on aforementioned 68 and/or 70 Eldorados of the type that will allow one to use the more modern single-piston brake caliper and disc arrangement?

answered above

It can be confusing but hope this clears it up ...

Thank you, Bill
I was able to speak with the seller today and he said that both the 68 and the 1970 eldorado had 4-piston calipers and the earlier style 1-piece disc.

Oh well.

Again, thanks for the explanation.