One of the only things I was not comfortable with on my current 68 ragtop is the front brake rubber lines were old and cracked looking. Easy enough and cheap repair for a little piece of mind. NOT!!

Turns out the rubber lines were probably the ones it was born with. I tried to brake the LH side loose and instantly twisted the hard line. No big deal its the short side and pretty easy to replace. To keep that from happening I soaked the other side good. I should have tried a little heat because it was seized and twisted off easier then the other side. So now I have make the whole front lines

I get to looking and it has brand new pads but the rotors were not turned. While I am at the parts store to pick up some 3/16 hard line might as well get the rotors turned. Well guess what.... they are both under spec already so new rotors are going on it too.

My $25 one hour repair is now north of $250.00 and been at it 3 hours and have at least another 3hrs to go.

Good thing I love this stuff!!

 

...The more things change, the more they stay the same....

All the best, remember patience is a virtue, but the BFH is the Right of Man to wield with judgement! Or whenever you feel like it

Brett

 

With these cars getting a lot of age on them you dont just replace a part, most times you replace systems. As in your case the front brakes.
I am in for almost $500 on a simple vacuum advance replacement. Still not done. I got aggrevated and had to walk away for a few days.

Don W

 

8-0

What?

 

better now then when it's wadded up because the line ruptured while you tried to stop.

 

But well worth it in the long run. Imagine if you were going even 45 and one (or both) of those rubber hoses gave way. I got lucky once, I had a 1985 Ciera wagon and the driver's side rubber hose gave way, pedal immediately went to the floor. As chance would have it I was in my sister-in-law's driveway, not coming off the freeway. Dodged a bullet there.

 

Hardest part is done now. Passenger side hard line made and installed. Here it is placed next to the old line.

 

I found out on stuck lines like that is to untwist the flex line if the hard line is stuck.Anyway new line is much better.

 

Are you aware that the flex line on a '68 is the same for disc or drum brakes?

 

When I start a project, generally the wife will ask how much and how long. I always give a reasonable estimate. She doubles the price and triples the time and as usual she is correct.

 

thats how we are supposed to figure it, so if she does that,you do it first, then when she does, it gives you more money for the project

 

Well Richard...the more you hold onto this car, the nicer it gets! Bonus for the guy who buys it!

 

Well looks like there is a small blessing in disguise. Had I finished this job yesterday the car would be outside in the driveway. As it was sleeping inside the shop last night a big storm blew in at 4:00 am with pretty good size hail. Ran outside in the middle of it in just my underware to put the wifes 2014 Camaro under the carport. Beat the crap out of me pretty good in the few seconds out the. One piece even broke the skin on my back. It was a good thing I got it moved only a few spots that can be PDRed. My other commuter car 2014 Sonic had to ride the storm. Looking it over this morning my shoot from the hip estimate is $7000 worth of damage.

On a side note the 54 was outside also and I can't even find a new ding. They just don't make them like they used to.

 

Sorry to hear about the storm.

On a side note when does the thread start about a frome off on a 68 convertible or do you have a MAW hat firmly on your head.

Larry

 

Not this car just making it nice to drive for the next owner.

 

win win for every body

 

Well not quite done yet. Cleaned up the bearings to repack and found this little jewel.

 

A little JB Weld will make that good as new

 

Haha temping but I'll take my chances with a new bearing instead

Well I am still not out of the woods yet. Anyone notice anything wrong with this driver side caliper.

 

Wow, still has the 4 piston units..

 

Yea 2 RH side calipers.

Had to order a LH side this morning. Anyone need a RH side?