95-99 Chevy Monte Carlo/Lumina rear disc conversion

1995-99 Monte Carlo & Lumina
Rear Disc Brake Conversion

Updated Aug. 28, 2000.

All 1995 Monte Carlos and Luminas came with rear drum brakes, and some 96-99 Montes/Luminas also came with rear drum brakes. I don't know exactly which Montes/Luminas came with rear drum, and I'm too lazy to look it up. I figure if you're reading this page, you know your Monte/Lumina has rear drums and you'd rather have rear disc. I have personally never done this conversion, but I have access to GM's Parts Catalogs and was able to look up all the differences and all the parts you'd need to do the conversion. Strangely, the 94-96 Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, and 94-97 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme used the same rear disc setup as 96-99 Monte Carlo/Luminas which got the optional rear disc setup. As a result, I have no earthly idea as to why GM all of a sudden decided the 95 Monte/Lumina and base 96-99 Monte/Lumina should get a rear drum setup. In fact, those were the only W-body cars that got rear drum brakes! The good news, is that to make this project as inexpensive as possible, you can get most of the donor parts from other W-body cars as far back as MY1994.

You will need:

Knuckles. They are different part #'s than the drum brake knuckles (although they look similar in the pictures, go figure). For a Monte, they are 18019813 (LH) and 18019814 (RH). If you're getting them used, you can get them off a 94-96 Cutlass Supreme/Grand Prix/Regal or 96 Monte/Lumina with rear disc. These changed in '97 on both the Cutlass Supreme and Monte/Lumina, but I don't know why and I don't know if they're interchangeable (gotta check a Hollander's). It would SEEM as though even 88-93 W-body knuckles will work if you can't find 94-96. My reasoning is because the hubs are the same from 92-96. The overlap implies that the older knuckles should work (again, might want to check a Hollander's to be certain).
Hubs. Part #7470545, 2 required. Any 92-96 CS/GP/Regal/ and 92-94 Lumina with ABS are suitable donors. In 97-99 Monte, the hubs changed to 7470609 (also in the 97 Cutlass Supreme). Probably interchangeable with the old part, so I think even if your Monte is 97-99 you can use 92-96 rear hubs.
Rotors. Part #18020464. Suitable donors are 94-96 CS/GP/Regal and 96-99 Monte/Lumina with rear disc.
Calipers. Suitable donors are 94-96 on CS/GP/Regal and 96-99 Monte/Lumina with rear disc. You will need to get the caliper support brackets and all other hardware with them as well. Try to get these from the donor car, as to order them from GM is extremely expensive. Don't bother with 88-93 calipers. You could get them to fit, but they suck donkeys.
Flexible brake hose, LH 22163457; RH 22163458. In 97, this changed to LH 22163461; RH 22163462. This is Monte/Lumina specific.
Park brake cables, RH 10267976; LH 10297665, same 95-99 Monte/Lumina. Monte/Lumina *specific*. Can't get this from other W-body.

I think that should cover it. All the rest of the suspension is identical between disc & drum. Metal brake lines appear to be the same and terminate at the same places. You can save a lot of cost by getting most of the rear brake parts off of donor cars. Unfortunately I don't have any step-by-step instructions on the conversion, because I've never actually done it. If you decide to attempt the conversion, please take several pictures and document the process and any difficulties you may have experienced. I will be happy to post your instructions/experiences on the site. You can email me at slin01@mail.orion.org.

Here's a diagram of the rear disc setup: