Need you guys advice on brakes-how to proceed..
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Need you guys advice on brakes-how to proceed..
Have a 1972 vehicle that has been parked, in a garage, for 24 years..
Got it runing (some stories there)
But the brakes... They worked ok when I got it, but..its for my 16 year old son and I need him to have good brakes..
So, We blead the brakes out.. The fluid was, well, the color of red wine mixed with old blood...
They now work worse.. Pushing harder with less braking.. ( NOT power brakes)
Could be some air in the lines.. BUT..
Should I just buy a master, all wheel clys, and both rubber lines and make it new??? Sitting for that long CANT be good with that Dot3...
Opinions???? Please....
Got it runing (some stories there)
But the brakes... They worked ok when I got it, but..its for my 16 year old son and I need him to have good brakes..
So, We blead the brakes out.. The fluid was, well, the color of red wine mixed with old blood...
They now work worse.. Pushing harder with less braking.. ( NOT power brakes)
Could be some air in the lines.. BUT..
Should I just buy a master, all wheel clys, and both rubber lines and make it new??? Sitting for that long CANT be good with that Dot3...
Opinions???? Please....
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 29
From: in a barn
Depends on the condition of the parts and what is available, sometimes brake parts are not easily available (went through that with my 67 caddy hearse).
Easiest is to replace the master, brake hoses, and wheel cylinders / calipers with new or rebuilt. Replace the hoses no matter if they look good or not, they collapse from the inside. Replace steel lines as needed and flush with new fluid. If you pull the wheel cylinders and master apart and the bores are not pitted then they are easy enough to rebuild and it is much cheaper. I have a small 3 stone hone that is for wheel cylinders but emery cloth works just as well. See what is available before you start wrenching, and if you have to rebuild a wheel cylinder or caliper make sure you can get the bleeder valve out before you remove it, they are a major pain when they break.
Easiest is to replace the master, brake hoses, and wheel cylinders / calipers with new or rebuilt. Replace the hoses no matter if they look good or not, they collapse from the inside. Replace steel lines as needed and flush with new fluid. If you pull the wheel cylinders and master apart and the bores are not pitted then they are easy enough to rebuild and it is much cheaper. I have a small 3 stone hone that is for wheel cylinders but emery cloth works just as well. See what is available before you start wrenching, and if you have to rebuild a wheel cylinder or caliper make sure you can get the bleeder valve out before you remove it, they are a major pain when they break.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
Certainly change the master, wheel cylinders and any rubber but I would also change the brake lines while it's all apart...
Why take the chance? Especially with your young son driving it.
Why take the chance? Especially with your young son driving it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 367
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,995
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
With the old gals, especially those who have been idle for a number of years, the best bet it to replace all the brake and fuel lines. It is possible to get by, of course, but the small amount of money and extra time required are a bargain compared to trying to trouble-shoot rusty, crud containing lines and hoses.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 135
From: Houston
In Texas we don't usually have big problems with rusted out hard lines. In Oregon, I don't know. Lots of the folks around here are using Dot 5 in their drum brake vehicles and love it. Silicone brake fluid (Dot 5) doesn't absorb water like Dot 3. You can't use Dot 5 with anti-lock brakes, which may be the source of truckeemtnfords's warning above.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,718
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
Tech Article: Brake Fluid
Here's an article about Brake fluid. It claims DOT 5 is a good choice for vehicles not driven regularly.
Here's an article about Brake fluid. It claims DOT 5 is a good choice for vehicles not driven regularly.
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
I have been using DOT 5 for years and never had any issues. It does not absorb water and it won't eat the paint if it spills...
Do not mix it with the standard fluid, they do not mix. If you are replacing old (NON DOT 5) fluid, it needs to be completely flushed and cleaned out first before re-filling with DOT 5.
Do not mix it with the standard fluid, they do not mix. If you are replacing old (NON DOT 5) fluid, it needs to be completely flushed and cleaned out first before re-filling with DOT 5.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Personally I wouldn't mess with Dot 5. If you really want a high boiling pressure get Dot 4 or 5.1.
A thing worth mentioning is that nearly all rebuilt calipers and master cylinders are pressure tested with regular brake fluid to check for leaks before they are put in the box. So even if you have new parts to install, your still going to mix fluids with Dot 5 unless you flush the parts out with brake clean.
If your really paranoid about striping paint when pouring brake fluid, just carry a little spray bottle of water with you. Rinse off anything you spill and will never have a paint problem.
A thing worth mentioning is that nearly all rebuilt calipers and master cylinders are pressure tested with regular brake fluid to check for leaks before they are put in the box. So even if you have new parts to install, your still going to mix fluids with Dot 5 unless you flush the parts out with brake clean.
If your really paranoid about striping paint when pouring brake fluid, just carry a little spray bottle of water with you. Rinse off anything you spill and will never have a paint problem.