brake tune up

[1990LTD]

Don't know what the term is when it comes to brakes, as I am just learning about brake systems, but what gets replaced (anything that wears out) or tightened or..?

I would like to learn how to replace and maintain all of this stuff myself, but I'm a total noob and don't know what replacement parts I will have to buy or if I will need any tools besides sockets.


So what in the brake system wears out? My brakes don't grab quite as well as they used to.

[79lincolnlover]

What I know: Rotors and pads are the parts that wear out the most. Especially the front ones! Brake lines are also prone to failure because they are routed along the frame rail, where rust forms...I'm not sure about what tools are required. Some of the other mangs will chime in

[jayh]

do you mean adjust? only applies to drum brakes

[1990LTD]

I see listings on ra for police/HD brakes....can I use those or did cop cars have bigger brakes or..?

[1990LTD]

do you mean adjust? only applies to drum brakes

I don't know, I just want to refresh my brakes

[gadget73]

dont ignore the rear brakes either. Most of the time the rears are overlooked, and when they don't work, the car doesn't stop for shit.

front end checkup:
pad thickness, ought to be thicker than a quarter
rotors: should be smooth and flat, no grooves, heavy rust bands, or blue spots
rubber hoses: if you bend them around your finger, they should not show cracks.
caliper slide pins: must be de-rusted, smooth, and very lightly greased with brake caliper grease
calipers: pistons should easily compress with a C clamp or prybar. Boots must not be torn, melted, or otherwise damaged.


rear brakes:
drums: inner surface must be smooth and rust-free, no grooves or gouges
shoes: more than the thickness of a quarter, no pieces broken off, and the friction material needs to be attached to the metal, not peeling off
wheel cylinders: pulling back the edge of the rubber boot on the end should not show fluid. Both sides of the cylinder need to push in smoothly.
hardware: no broken springs, no big gouges in the backing plate to hang up the shoes
adjustment: turn the star wheel until the wheel starts to drag somewhat when turning it by hand.


Something many don't know, the rear brakes will self adjust if you drive the car at idle speed in reverse and repeatedly apply the pedal. They only get so tight, and only if the stuff in the back is working right but if you never hit your brakes in reverse, they never self-adjust.

The police boxes got steel piston calipers instead of phenolic pistons. Same rotors, caliper piston size, and pad size, but the pads are a different number because the clip on the back is different. They're nothing special. They did get an 11" rear drum instead of the 10" rear drum. Tow package cars got those same drums.

[1990LTD]

So coasting backwards and braking adjusts the rear brakes? Neat.

[1990LTD]

Also about bleeding the brakes... I'll just google that one, but I was curious - How often should it be done?

[Brown_Muscle]

Also about bleeding the brakes... I'll just google that one, but I was curious - How often should it be done?

After you have replaced brake lines...calipers..wheel cylinders(in drum brakes)...MAster cylinder work... ect

Technically all the brake fluid should be replaced every set schedule of miles.... i dont know what for recommends...however it could be very 30-75K miles.....

brake fluid is hygroscopic...meaning it absorbs water easily, which decreases the brake fluids performance..changes its boiling point and compressibility.

I suppose you are going to ask how to do this haha... I will assume you saw how to bleed the brakes so i wont go into that... however

Using a large turkey baster or equivalent remove the majority of brake fluid from the master cylinder (Not ALL of it... but maybe 80-90% of it...then fill the reservoirs with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid. Bleed the brakes...starting with the farthest from the master cylinder and making your way around and fresh fluid comes out.



Awesome little write up Thain!
Make sure the reservoir does not completely empty while doing all of this...

[1990LTD]

Yeah as I understand it, air will get in if the level gets too low in the reservoir whil bleeding the lines. I've never had to do this before so I don't know exactly where the bleeder valve is but I imagine it will be obvious when examined

[johnunit]

Don't mean to hijack, but maybe it'll help 1990LTD too:

If I have an easier time getting police calipers, will it swap over without any issues? I know everything the same size, but I also know there are differences with the control arms...

Similar question with 11-inch drums.

Can I just unbolt the backing plate and everything on the wheel side of it, or do I need new brake hosing too or maybe something else I'm not thinking of?


Also, can the reversing adjustment work if the rear brakes are too tight? mine, especially the left, locks up wayyy too easily and is grabby.

[1990LTD]

If something doesn't match the criteria gadget posted, is it safe to say it is a candidate for replacement?

[johnunit]

yes, though you can get rotors and drums milled at machine shops and certain auto shops and parts places if the finished product will meet a certain specification (a maximum inner diameter for drums, minimum thickness for rotors). This will sometimes fix the grooving and warping that causes pulsation, vibration, and short pad/shoe life.

[1990LTD]

Thanks everyone. I will be performing my first brake inspection tomorrow

[jayh]

your star wheel adjusters might be frozen. you can fre them up with heat and 2 pair vice grips or replace them

inspect your wheel cylinders and make sure they are not damp or show any signs of leaking

depending on the sources available, sometimes you can replace rotors for what it costs to have them machined

I think the wagons came with 11" drums, as well as some trucks and vans. you need to replace the backing plates, shoes, wheel cylinders, hardware, but you should be able to get the old lines to work

I wouldnt worry about bleeding the brakes unless you open the system

yes you can "de-adjust" the rear brakes if they are locking up