brake tune up

[DarkBlueMerc]

Police calipers and pads will bolt up to a civvy car with no problem, did this a couple of weeks ago on my '84.

[87gtVIC]

a police pad needs a police caliper correct?

[1990LTD]

Police calipers and pads will bolt up to a civvy car with no problem, did this a couple of weeks ago on my '84.

So I can order cop pads and calipers instead of civvy replacements?

[GM_Guy]

Yes. Police calipers use a steel piston, which requires a different size pad clip, which is why you need to know which you have to order the correct pad.
Is there any difference in pad performance? I doubt it.

Alex.

[jayh]

cant you just bend the clip if needed?

[DarkBlueMerc]

Yes, you can go from civvy calipers and pads to the police stuff, but you must have a matching set. I don't know about the rear, since my rear brakes were new.

[gadget73]

cant you just bend the clip if needed?

No. The inner cup size on the cop calipers is bigger, so the civvy brake pads will just float in there. Its the exact same pad, just the metal clip on the back is different.

[91waggin]

Recap: Since things got kind of confusing.
Police spec front brakes:
Metal pistons//police-specific brake pads with larger into-piston clip
Police/tow-package/wagon rear brakes:
11" drums//police-specific shoes to fit larger drum

Civi-spec front brakes:
Phenolic pistons//civi-specific brake pads with smaller into-piston clip
Civi-spec rear brakes:
10" drums//civi-specific shoes to fit smaller drum

Police calipers will bolt up to a civi car without a problem, but make sure you have the correct pads for the application.

A reminder about brake fluid: If you've got brake fluid that's been sitting capped, but unsealed on the shelf, don't use it. It will probably have absorbed water while sitting, making it useless, or even dangerous. Whenever you do brake work, buy a new bottle of brake fluid, only as much as you'll need. Also get a can of brake parts cleaner, also known as brakleen. It'll just blast brake dust and shit off.

Another note: Even if you didn't open the hydraulic system while working on the brakes, it may be a good idea to bleed the brakes if the fluid is dark. This means it has absorbed water and needs to be replaced.

Bleeding brakes--the tried-and-true method. It needs 2 people:
>>Remember to keep the brake fluid reservoir full during this operation.
1. Starting with the right rear wheel, attach a bleeder screw wrench to the screw, then attach a length of clear tubing over the end of the screw, into a jar full of brake fluid.
2. Open the bleeder screw, and have your buddy push the brake pedal as far down as it will go. It will probably sink all the way, since you have the screw open.
3. Close the screw, then tell your buddy to release the pedal. Since you have the bleeder screw closed, this will draw new fluid into the line from the reservoir.
4. Repeat this process until there are no bubbles coming out the tube and into the jar, and make sure the fluid coming out is clean.

Repeat this process for each wheel, moving in this order:
Right Rear
Left Rear
Right Front
Left Front

Another note: the bleeder screws on disc calipers can be grumpy. They need to be closed particularly tight, and only need to be cracked open a little bit. If you open them too much, you'll introduce air in the system through the loosened threads. Just barely crack them open.

Cheers!

[1990LTD]

when reversing at idle speed and braking to adjust the rear drums, how many times is sufficient? abrupt stops w/ pedal to the floor or slowly applying

[gadget73]

They won't over-adjust, so I'd say 5-6 times ought to be all you need. If its not making any difference, either they are already adjusted properly, or the hardware is screwed up. Either way, its not going to keep getting tighter.

You want decently rapid stops. No need to chirp the tires, but don't stop like your 90 year old grandmom either.

[1990LTD]

thanks.


now onto important business - what wears out doing brakestands?

[Piece-it pete]

To dredge up a thread, my question seems to fit in....

I've replaced the rubber lines to the front calipers and am now turning my attention to the rears (as 25 year old rubber can be brittle, I've had a front line pop on a panther before).

Rock shows two types of lines and I'm (easily) confused. One has one line, one has two (see pics). I've got coil springs and 10" drum brakes. Anyone know what I need?

Pete

PS can't crawl under the car, I'm at work

[Piece-it pete]

Bang! It's the single, Rock had the dbl misfiled.

A number of singles for $7.xx.

Btw, there was one closeout dbl for $23.xx, ac delco 18j851

Pete

[1990LTD]

how much fluid will the system hold?