I have discs on the front and rear of my 91 416 .
Just wondering what the difference , if any, between the trailing arm for an R8 model with disc brakes and those with drum brakes?
Appreciate that the stub axle and fittings will be different but are all the necessary holes and brackets on a trailing arm for a disc brake if I brought one which was for or had a drum brake fitted .
Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
Yes trailing arms are identical.
I cover this in my project thread - https://rover200.org.uk/forums/topic?t=14243&start=120
I cover this in my project thread - https://rover200.org.uk/forums/topic?t=14243&start=120
Rover 220 Coupe Turbo
Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Racer
Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Racer
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
As James says they are the same just change the stub axle and handbrake cable 
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
Thanks for the helpful information. At some point I’m thinking about rebuilding the trailing arm and hub and it would be nice to rebuild them off the car and just swap them out complete. Lots of other jobs in front , but the trailing arm bushes are 16 years old so probably due to be renewed soon.
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
I have powder coated ones with bushes in and stub axles both types the biggest issue is the back plates NLA and usually turning to dust , so when looking for secondhand ones to rebuild the back plates are more important in my opinion .Plodder wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2026 10:39 pm Thanks for the helpful information. At some point I’m thinking about rebuilding the trailing arm and hub and it would be nice to rebuild them off the car and just swap them out complete. Lots of other jobs in front , but the trailing arm bushes are 16 years old so probably due to be renewed soon.
Last edited by 961tat on Sun Mar 08, 2026 10:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
Do you rebush them with standard rubber bushes or with poly bushes?
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
Woops that should have said powder coated doh
Standard rubber for the road, rubber absorbs shock and vibration , on uk road needed poly good for track cars and getting rid of tooth filling on the road gumpy old get i am
Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes
I’m with you on a softer ride but that’ll start a good discussion 
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 