Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Hi everyone. In the process of installing my hawks 8.8 and converting from drums to LT1 rears.

So I ordered the 8.8 with the lt1 backing plates. Hawks told me I was essentially on my own for ordering the brakes unless I was getting a Baer or Wilwood kit from them. So I ordered the rotors / pads and calipers. Everything is bolted up, but there’s no line brackets for the brake hoses that go to the hard lines, as well as no bracket to hold the parking brake cable in place so that it can pull the caliper lever.

Does anyone have pics or guidance? This is my first project car and it’s frustrating me as hawks said I’d have everything needed with just ordering calipers and rotors.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...6a9cb67be.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...c85115452.jpeg

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Well, you're not going to like this but you ordered the wrong calipers. You needed to order the ones with the parking brake cable brackets. Some come with them, most don't because they assume you're replacing the calipers on your car and can reuse your old brackets. The brackets are long since obsolete and somewhat hard to come by, unless you luck into finding a 89-97 disc rear in a junkyard and can salvage the brackets.

The brake hose mounts are a similar deal but you can't even get them with a new set of calipers. Fortunately they're pretty simple, just a tab bracket with a hole for the hose end to go through. The hole has a keyed cut to match the tabs on the hoses to orient them correctly, but you might get lucky and be able to drill a hole and file the key notch. Or, try to find them in a junkyard.

You might also need the guides that keep the brake cables out of the way. Some thirdgens didn't use them, the ones that did they're just bent steel wire and bolt under the cover bolts. Stock parts probably won't fit your aftermarket rear anyway.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Thanks Drew. I kind of already had an idea that I did. Would I need the calipers with both the bracket and the dampener? Also going to have to grab the hoses with banjo fittings.

As far as the brackets go, there’s no bolt hole for the center line the hard lines thread into. What’s the best route of action for that? Drilling into the plate off the pumpkin where it meets the axle tube? And then weld the line brackets for the hard lines to caliper hoses on each side?

really appreciate your help! Thanks again

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Just the Parking Brake Bracket and Spring that mount to the Stud and Nut on the Calipers are needed...
I usually purchase loose Parts for PBR Brakes from EBMILLER/ FLYNBYE.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...b5cd7d4b96.jpg
The original Rear Diff had a hole in the casting, where the material was thin enough to pass a Bolt completely through:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...5640e1c04e.jpg
You may find a comparable location on the Ford 8.8 Diff.

If not, then option 2 is:
The Image below shows 2 Parking Brake Cable Guides (1 on each side of the Center-Section) that attach via the Inspection-Cover Bolts.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...fb3c8e8547.jpg

When I swap Aftermarket Rear Diffs into our Cars...
I fabricate a Bracket (from 1/16" Steel Flat-Stock Strips) for the Rear Brake Flex Line that goes towards the Center-Section.
I use 1 Bolt from the Inspection-Cover to retain the Bracket.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

​​​​​

you are the man! Thanks so much!

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I haven't seen any of those Ebrake cable brackets used on a 3rdgen, just 4thgens. Doesn't mean they weren't, just haven't seen them myself

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

better than having them just dangling I guess.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

They just lay on top of the rearend and have a thicker casing in that area of the cable

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I guess you really like Capicola.
:D

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

so much I had to get the car and the license plate to match :burnout:

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

They were a 91.5 addition. Not very common, but some later 91s and 92s used them.

The dampers are the same deal. The 89-91 cars didn't have them, and the rear brakes can groan under some circumstances at low speeds without them.

Flynbye is usually ok, but then the last order I placed was missing parts that were advertised as being part of the conversion I purchased and I never did get a reply back from him.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I know the 3 late 92s I have in the shop don't have them. May have to dig in the parts books a bit

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

would you recommend keeping the dampers on the calipers or ditching them?

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I'm running the same set up. ...I ditched the dampers, but I made sure about the brackets. I've used the PBR brakes before, both stock, and swapping them onto an older delco caliper rear, so I guess I just knew to make sure they had 'em.
As for the brake brackets, I too was a little frustrated about the lack of brackets. More to the point, not being informed about it. I expect a little work on my end, but I wish they'd have at least told me. Anyhow, I found a set of brackets from a 4th gen LT1 car on eBay. Then I just drilled some holes and ran some self tapping screws. For the mounting lines, I just used some worm gear hose clamps and bent a little notch in 'em, then used some vacuum line to insulate against metal on metal. I ordered some black ones but they didn't quite fit, so for now, they're silver, but I'm gonna paint 'em.

...oh and I got the wrong brake lines sooooo, that's why they look a little wonky. hehe.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...bf7bda2c8.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...15768b5be.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...46fcd1641.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...0af1b4877.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...83c3ee60b.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...bf80c0210.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...119f78b6e.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...6b9a27225.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...fda6c534c.jpeg

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

The pic is of the rear in my 85. The cable brackets, bolted to the Summit cover, are for a fourth gen.

JamesC

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Setup looks good man! They sent you the wrong hard brake lines? I actually think I may have gotten the wrong ones too. The passenger side line I have, on the end that threads into the main center line, shoots out into orbit. No where near where it should be over the pumpkin.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Given that the 8.8 is of course slightly different, and that sometimes these parts aren't 100% identical, I can't be sure if they were wrong, or just really didn't fit quite right! I had to bend 'em quite a bit.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I like how you used worm gear hose clamps, I just used black Zip ties on mine.

I really love the rear end, but the fact that all of us have to come up with these hacks.... Hawks you really should make some provisions for a nice clean install.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Thanks! ....and yes...I agree that Hawk's coulda done a little more.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

amen brother!

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Here are the brackets that I used. I think from the same seller, and I think it's the same picture! I can tell you they were pretty beat up, but a wire wheel and some black spray paint was all they needed. I assume he's got several sets.

EDIT - Just checked my purchase history. Same guy, same pic, LOL!!! ....looks like he deals with F body parts, so not TOO surprising.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16542553447...kAAOSwt0phUjCk

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

There are so many different rear brake combos I'm sure it's best left to end user to pick the brake parts mounting lugs/brackets for their chosen application

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Yeah, but Hawk's has several options you can choose that are specifically for either PBR or LS1 rear brakes. Backing plates, hardlines, parking brake cables......to offer those, have the customer SELECT PBR/LT1 brakes, and then not even mention that there are no brackets or provisions for those brackets, I found to be a bit misleading. Not the end of the world, but a little disclaimer would've been nice.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

agreed. I even would have gladly payed an extra small fee to have the mounting holes drilled and at least some clip retainers supplied.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Just bumping this thread back up, as I am in this same boat. I just purchased an 8.8 rear end from Hawks with LT1 backing plates for my 86 IROC.

I was about to order a set of new LT1/PBR calipers from Hawks but realized from this thread that I also need the brackets for the parking brake cables.

Does anybody have an idea where I can get these brackets, or even a photo of what they look like?

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I had to return my calipers and order complete calipers with the bracket and anti vibration dampeners (which I removed). I had luck finding them on rock auto. Don’t forget a tension spring for the parking brake on each side too. They don’t make them anymore but you can find an alternative on Amazon.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...a7e88c8dd.jpeg

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Do you happen to remember which brand of caliper you went with? Rock Auto has several that they say includes the bracket, but the photos of them are a bit confusing.

It appears that the bracket consists of two parts with a spring that spreads them out, and the cable pulls them together. Is this correct?

And what's the deal with the vibration dampener? Is this the same as the "anti-rattle spring"? Why did you take it off?

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

powerstop reman with dampener. I took it off because it looks hideous and isn’t necessary. Just stops some squeal I guess people had with these brakes. I haven’t experienced it yet.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...fb5a7911d3.jpg
1992 setup

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I also think I mine were powerstop. I know it said brackets included. Don't remember the picture. I bought 'em with red powdercoat too, soooo can't be many that offered them up that way.

Yes.
So the caliper is the same from 88 to 96 I think. Not sure of the exact years. The thirdgen cars didn't have the dampener, the fourthgen cars did. ...It never seemed to be an issue on the thirdgen cars, and I know I never had an issue personally, so for me, it was just kinda an eyesore that was easy to get rid of.

BTW...just an update, I've almost completed my 500 mile break in on the 8.8. Rear is awesome! :thumbsup:

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

What's that spring for? I don't have those and I don't think I ever did. -and I've run these on several cars now. Not saying that's correct, just saying I haven't used them.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

It’s the spring that compresses when you pull the parking brake. When releasing, it places tension on caliper lever for the parking brake to ensure the lever is fully disengaged

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...9cde6e356.jpeg

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

Does the big spring not do that? I mean by moving the lever arm, it by default would have to pull the cable, and it is a MUCH stronger spring. ...I mean, I've seen plenty of pics that show that spring so I'm not arguing that it appears to be correct, I just can't see what it does that the larger spring doesn't already do.

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 



Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

I think the spring may (pull) double duty but more to keep the cable hooked to the lever

Re: Hawks 8.8 - LT1 Rear disks
 

makes sense