nitro21

Pulled in the driveway with my 77 and noticed a little smoke coming from driver side rear tire. Previous owner installed a new caliper before I got it. Pulled tire and cannot move rotor. Pads and drilled and slotted rotors look pretty new. There's a metal line going to caliper instead of hose style. Any idea where to start in this situation? Thanks

Bob K

It sounds like the parking brake might be too tight. If the look underneath the car you can see a cable that comes from each side at the backing plate to a single cable that connects to your parking brake handle.

I would try and loosen that cable to see if the rear wheel can spin easily.

Bob K.

nitro21

I will check that Bob, but I can see the brake pads nice and tight to rotor. Almost like it locked and never released from rotor. It seems like I wouldn't be able to get caliper off of rotor its so tight. Didn't know if I should open bleeder and see if it lets go.

Peterbuilt

Follow the steel line and you will find it connected to a RUBBER hose.
Over time the rubber hose can deteriorate inside and not let the pressure off.
Yes, if you crack the bleeder and the hose is bad, it will let the pressure off and the rotor will turn.

http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...rake-hose.html

revitup

Pads should look tight to the rotor. If they're the original lip seal type calipers, there's a very weak spring behind each piston which actually keeps the pistons and pads pushed against the rotor. The hard line direct to the caliper would be unusual but I don't see how that would contribute to your issue.
The parking brake cables should be a little slack when the brake's released. If they are, there could still be some malfunction with the parking brake hardware. I'd look good at that.

terry82

terry82

theres a rubber line there somewhere.

nitro21

I looked again and there is a rubber line. when I bought the car it came with a bunch of new parts and I believe there was 4 new stainless lines in the bin. Probably should start with the 2 rear and go from there. I put the tire back on while car was in the air, tightened the lug nuts to speck and the rim never moved while tightening it. So the caliper is squeezing pretty hard.

terry82

stainless lines are a bonus ,change the lines .your brakes will be good again.

DUB

X2

DUB

nitro21

Well, I had a few minutes to look at it today. I did find the small rubber line and I also opened both bleeders and nothing came out. I checked the master cylinder and there was maybe a half inch in the rear reservoir. I filled it with Dot3 and pumped brake pedal a few times with bleeders closed to see if it let go and nothing. I'll have more time and a helper tomorrow. Weather is turning to crap where I am, and the brake shops around me don't have the best help. I guess I have all winter to get it right.

DUB

Posting a photo of what you have can possibly help. I assume it is facotry brake calipers.

DUB