Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

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Plodder
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Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by Plodder »

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 .
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
James3990
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by James3990 »

Yes trailing arms are identical.

I cover this in my project thread - https://rover200.org.uk/forums/topic?t=14243&start=120
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961tat
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by 961tat »

As James says they are the same just change the stub axle and handbrake cable :)
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Plodder
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by Plodder »

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 :)
961tat
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by 961tat »

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.
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 .
Last edited by 961tat on Sun Mar 08, 2026 10:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Plodder
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by Plodder »

961tat wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 7:25 am I have powered 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 .
Do you rebush them with standard rubber bushes or with poly bushes?
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
961tat
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by 961tat »

Plodder wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 2:37 pm
961tat wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2026 7:25 am I have powered 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 .
Do you rebush them with standard rubber bushes or with poly bushes?
Woops that should have said powder coated doh :slapme

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 :tt2
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Plodder
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Re: Trailing arm differences - Drum vs Disc brakes

Post by Plodder »

I’m with you on a softer ride but that’ll start a good discussion :laughing2
1991 Rover 416 GTi Auto - Flame Red - Owned since Aug 97 :)
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