Hi all

I have an 89 3.0L shorty - Done the brakes many many times and even somewhat recently - anyhow, my issue is that the right front seems like it's pulling when I don't step on the brakes and I think it's the caliper hanging but could it also be the hose there starting to collapse

It was fighting me so bad around town that I could smell brake lining last time I had her out... it's not happy!

I feel confident that I can do a new caliper and have a new hose too (I would just do both sides all new) - BUT my big worry here is that I hurt or break the metal lines - these are these are the OEM lines that came on the truck new - so they are 36 years old! - I live in the New England area so there is corrosion of course, but no leaks...

I think they are the original calipers too! - of course MANY MANY brake jobs since new :-)

My question is, does someone make pre-bent lines that I can just replace these 2 front ones with? - have any of you done these? are they a pain to do? - I never did brake lines before, but seems like I could.... what size lines do I want to uses from the Propotioner valve? I prob won't mess with replacing the master to that block since those are fine....

Thanks in advance - I wanna keep her running good - BTW original drive train with 250K on her. Engine runs like new still! - that Vulcan 3.0 was a good engine abitit not as powerful as the 4L

 

If the brake hose is original, it's probably past time to replace them.

In my case, I replaced the hoses, but when run hot, one of my calipers was still grabbing. I found out they had the phenolic pistons, so I replaced them. I haven't gotten into that kind of stop and go driving since then, so I don't know if the problem is fixed.

Also, most brake hoses come with an outer sleeve that' supposed to protect the hose itself. On mine, the base of that sleeve actually cut into the outer most layer of the hose, and probably would have worked its way into the hose eventually. See the cut mark in this picture:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Zycm5RNTZTeWZB

In addition, the top of this sleeve trapped moisture against the metal fitting, causing it to rust:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Zycm5RNTZTeWZB

So I ended up slitting the new sleeve at the bottom so it doesn't present such a "sharp" edge against the hose, and left a 1/4" gap at the top so moisture can evaporate.

If you're concerned with damaging the hard line, I would drench it with penetrating lubricant the night before you work on it, and maybe apply some heat just before you try to loosen it.

I haven't found a source for them, which means if you need to replace them, you will have to make them yourself. I've always been pretty bad at making double flares; maybe you'll have better luck.

I got lucky with my Mustang in that I was able to find pre-flared stainless steel lines with the correct tube nuts, in the correct lengths, so all I had to do was bend them into shape.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...ZEOUVmWjRfSFl3

 

Yep! The hose can act like a check valve and keep pressure on the pad. If you were able to compress the caliper when you replaced the pads, it's probably the hose. For safety's sake, replace both the left and right at the same time.

 

yeah, Im sure it's a bad hose, since the caliper was ok and compressed fine - I never replaced them since new, so I got my money's worth - yeah Im gonna do both sides from the valve block to and including new calipers - I can't even crack the bleeders on the calipers lol - so, it's time - the rears are newer did those a couple of years ago but the fronts need attention...
My main issue now is finding someone to make me new hard lines since I would REALLY like to replace them as they are starting to look punky and I don't want one to blow - or worse, break when Im dealing with a new hose etc.
I wonder what size line I should buy - I'd prob do bubble flares most likely?

 

Thanks for all the good info - I wonder what size line should I get? and fittings? Im assuming they are standard sizes esp for something this old.

I just need 2 lines made - one for each side from the Valve block to the hoses on each side - the drivers side is shorter of course, but the pass side is the one that looks daunting... how much crap is in the way, etc....
did you ever do these on your 90?

Thanks

 

Those hoses must be different on your '89 than on my '96 & '97. Mine are only a little over a foot long and run from the caliper to the metal tube on the frame.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...rake+hose,1792