Brake issue
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Brake issue
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,884
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From: Jamison Pa
St. Jude Donor '11-'25
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.
I would try and loosen that cable to see if the rear wheel can spin easily.
Bob K.
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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.
I would try and loosen that cable to see if the rear wheel can spin easily.
Bob K.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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
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
Last edited by Peterbuilt; Oct 20, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
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From: Pawleys Island, SC
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.
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.
Last edited by revitup; Oct 21, 2016 at 02:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
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From: columbia city in
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
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
Last edited by terry82; Oct 20, 2016 at 08:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
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
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
theres a rubber line there somewhere.
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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.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
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
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
X2DUB
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Joined: Aug 2013
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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.