Re: IML: AW: Brake questions

["Frederick Joslin" <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx>]

Mark:

Changing the front calipers is a great place to start learning how to work on cars. Also check the flexible hoses and replace them if there is any question whatsoever about their condition. I often replace the rotors as well. Most new ones are cheap enough that it is not worth getting them turned.

As to the specific question about leaking brake fluid, you can get small "caps" which are used to seal things such as vacuum hoses. Get a couple of these which are the correct size and use them.

 

Any time that you open up the brake system you should really bleed the entire system. However, the rear lines will need very little bleeding when changing front calipers as long as the master cylinder does not get too low. Also, make sure when you do bleed the system that you do not let the master cylinder reservoir get too low. The way I bleed brakes is to have an assistant (used to be my wife, now my 14 year old son) press on the brake pedal. Go to the brake you are bleeding (rear passenger first) and gently back the bleeded valve off. You want it so that there is still some resistance to the flow through the bleeder valve. Tighten the bleeder valve, have the assistant release the brake pedal and repeat. Bubbles in the fluid are a sure sign that you need to continue. Perform this on the other brakes again making sure that the reservoir does not get too low. Once you get all of the bubbles out, the brakes should feel pretty good. You should still go and repeat the procedure at least once on all wheels.

 

For modern disc brakes anti squeal pads are available. These are often essential to stop squealing. You can also get anti squeal "goo" which you apply on the back of the pads to attenuate the vibration which gives the squeal. It is really annoying to perform a really good brake job with all new parts and have it squeal, but it can happen and does not mean that there is anything wrong with the brakes.

 

I hope to be replacing the calipers on my 69 LeBaron soon (as soon as calipersonline delivers -still no news), so this is good mental practice for me. I hope that they do not squeal when it is all done.   

----- Original Message -----
From: "dietmar frensemeyer"
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: AW: Brake questions
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 16:06:01 +0200


Replacing the front callipers - out of whatever reason ??? - and bleeding
all !! callipers after that is not a job for a "neophyte" ..

Dietmar
1960 fds
www.movit.de

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Im Auftrag von Mark Elliott
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 9. Mai 2007 15:19
An: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Betreff: IML: Brake questions

Hi all,

I have a few brake questions. These are not related to my Imperial,
but a much more current Chrysler Product, however hopefully these are
generic enough questions that no one will mind.

It looks like I need to replace the front calipers on my car. When I
remove the calipers, am I supposed to block off the brake lines to
keep the brake fluid from draining out? How do I do this? I am a
mechanical neophyte, and have never done something like this.

I will only be touching the front brakes, will I need to bleed the
rear brakes, or can I just bleed the front brakes?

Thanks for your response and any advice on doing this for a neophyte.

Mark Elliott
1964 Imperial Crown in pieces in the garage




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Fred Joslin