A Nutty Caliper Question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Brake work update, wait until you hear this one.
Left front brake caliper with pads in and hose mounted.
Can't get the nut loose on the hard line, need a new hard line.
Right front brake caliper with pads in and hose mounted.
New flair nut wrenches worked well enough to get the frozen nut free, but then I could not get the wrench off the nut. I had to cut the nut off the hard line to get my wrench back.
So if you voted "new hard lines next" you were correct. I ordered the hard lines and clips last night. I also ordered new splash pads for the engine bay at the same time. Tonight I head to the back calipers for another round of fun. I have hard lines and hoses for back there, I am hopefully optimistic, but we'll see.
I have repaired and replaced brakes and calipers on my cars in the past, but never one that was 32 years old and with 80k miles. The years and miles have been hard on the 77 and I intend to get her cleaned up and ready for the road again soon.
Thanks for all the support. 
David
Left front brake caliper with pads in and hose mounted.
Can't get the nut loose on the hard line, need a new hard line.
Right front brake caliper with pads in and hose mounted.
New flair nut wrenches worked well enough to get the frozen nut free, but then I could not get the wrench off the nut. I had to cut the nut off the hard line to get my wrench back.
So if you voted "new hard lines next" you were correct. I ordered the hard lines and clips last night. I also ordered new splash pads for the engine bay at the same time. Tonight I head to the back calipers for another round of fun. I have hard lines and hoses for back there, I am hopefully optimistic, but we'll see.
I have repaired and replaced brakes and calipers on my cars in the past, but never one that was 32 years old and with 80k miles. The years and miles have been hard on the 77 and I intend to get her cleaned up and ready for the road again soon.
Thanks for all the support.
David
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 242
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
I always use a little Heat , if you, do be carefull when it brakes loose , watch the fitting so it does not turn the whole line , I've done this for 25 yrs not a problem! .002 Ron
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks for your help and best regards,
David
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Munster IN
The great feeling after finishing mine last week was it was the first time in 5 years that it stopped in a straight line, no left or right pulling. I needed to take the fan off and loosen the raditor shroud to get the old cross-over line off, and get to the brackets on the cross member right behind the front stabilizer bar. Good luck in getting the line back in mine when in a little easier after a few choice words and a couple of Miller Lights.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
The great feeling after finishing mine last week was it was the first time in 5 years that it stopped in a straight line, no left or right pulling. I needed to take the fan off and loosen the raditor shroud to get the old cross-over line off, and get to the brackets on the cross member right behind the front stabilizer bar. Good luck in getting the line back in mine when in a little easier after a few choice words and a couple of Miller Lights.
Okay, a few brief questions for you if you could please.
First, your statement about taking the fan off and loosening the radiator shroud to get to the old cross-over line came through loud and clear, thank you.
Two questions on this. 1) Did you take out the old line and put in the new line from the engine bay side of the car or under the car? 2) Did you take any pictures of your work that you can share?As for the easier to replace the new line after a few choice words and a couple of Miller Lights, I have a couple of questions there too. 1) Did you replace the line clips with new ones or re-use the old ones to hold the new line in place? 2) Did you use the few choice words before or after the Miller Lights? I have learned that sequence can be important and I want to make sure I do this correctly. I have the hard lines on order now, just need to run out and pick up the Miller Light.
Thanks for your help.
David
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Munster IN
OK David, To answer your questions I took the old line out from under the car, actually was able to use the old clips. I took 3 of the clips out from the engine compartment, the 2 one on each side are located on the frame almost under the upper control arm ( not to difficult no choice words here) the other one is under the master cylinder on the frame and untill I could find enough long extension there wer some words flying here.
As far as the sequence of words and Miller Lights go I have found that Miller light following the words was calming as from past experience Miller lights before sometimes leeds to more words at a faster pace and more Miller. The Miller was actually more enjoyable during the brake bleeding process.
I purchased one of the vacuum bleeder one man brake bleeding kits but ended up using the 2 man old fashion way to get the best result. The only picture that was taken was by my wife with the comment of "now I know what a grease monkey really looks like". Good luck
As far as the sequence of words and Miller Lights go I have found that Miller light following the words was calming as from past experience Miller lights before sometimes leeds to more words at a faster pace and more Miller. The Miller was actually more enjoyable during the brake bleeding process.
I purchased one of the vacuum bleeder one man brake bleeding kits but ended up using the 2 man old fashion way to get the best result. The only picture that was taken was by my wife with the comment of "now I know what a grease monkey really looks like". Good luck
