I tried to bleed the brake system yesterday....

[mr. fix it]

A quick recap on my Polara.

I bought it just about 12 months ago now with an Ontario Vehicle safety inspection already completed when I went to see the car.

So that should mean that the brakes were good right?

I think this was a bit of a "Hot" safety as these brake drums were all over the service limits.

The front drums were ceased onto the front hubs.

The right front had indications of hardware floating around gouging the drum. - didn't really matter it was still over limit.

none of the adjusters worked - again ceased up

Left front wheel cylinder was leaking.. - had a new one included with the copious boxes of parts included with the car..

So I chose to ignore all of this putting it down to the FACT THAT THE GARAGE THAT SAFETIED THE CAR PROBABLY NEVER LOOKED OR SAW THE CAR!!!

For those of you who have been following my restoration posts on this Polara I have been investing heavily in time and money..

Well yesterday I decided it was time to bleed the system.
I couldn't get any fluid out the back of the rear brake system..

I was thinking I had a defective B/N Master Cylinder or pinched or blocked rear line but all lines look relatively new.
I had bought a new rear flex hose but was being lazy and not installing it because the old one had been replaced previously..

I think I found the answer...

I had to use a socket to push the pistons out of the wheel cylinder castings..

Oh yah... the idler arm was about to fall off the front end as well....

Ok, now I have ranted, I will go back to my garage once the parts arrive to continue on...

I'm pissed that a garage would put their name to a safety on a car that came no where close to passing inspection...

 

[bulldogchesty]

That looks nasty.

 

[440Sled]

Damn...your lines are probably clogged!

 

[70bigblockdodge]

If they weren't leaking I would rebuild what you have clean, hone, reassemble if you find pitts in bore only buy new as any remans you may find will most likely leak.

 

[Zymurgy]

Good luck I knew my brakes were completely toast. That was the first thing I did on my 300 and everything needed to be replaced, so no trouble shooting required, because everything is new now. I did have a time getting all the air out of the lines the first time.

I removed the master and the front lines on the engine bay restoration. I hope mine won't give me too much trouble second go around.

 

[mr. fix it]

Hey there 70BigBlockD,

With te cost of wheel cylinders being $11 each it isn't worth rebuilding.. so I have got me some new ones here in hand. They will be installed tomorrow evening or Saturday morning.
They also have a lifetime warranty! can't beat that!
Besides, I don't have a cylinder hone on hand..

 

[mr. fix it]

Good luck I knew my brakes were completely toast. That was the first thing I did on my 300 and everything needed to be replaced, so no trouble shooting required, because everything is new now. I did have a time getting all the air out of the lines the first time.

I removed the master and the front lines on the engine bay restoration. I hope mine won't give me too much trouble second go around.

I have to tell you that your car is amazing. period, hands down on what you are doing.

I'm creating a great driver quality and you are taking it to a "Ho Notha level..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At7I88VgOXE

 

[jake]

I would purge the brake lines with tons of clean fluid or re-pipe all new lines to be on the safe side. Good luck.

 

[Zymurgy]

I have to tell you that your car is amazing. period, hands down on what you are doing.

I'm creating a great driver quality and you are taking it to a "Ho Notha level..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At7I88VgOXE

Thanks for the compliment, but I think you are going to have the nicest "driver" around. My brakes were so gone there was no fluid left in the lines, and the lines were seized into place, no brake wrench was taking them off.

 

[1978 NYB]

I would replace the master cylinder and all the rest of the brake hoses too if you haven't done so yet. Not too expensive at all. Clean and repack the wheel bearings too if you haven't done so yet.

 

[mr. fix it]

Thanks for the suggestions guys,

Here's a run down of what was replaced with B/N or Rebuilt parts to date as part of the Stub Frame replacement.

I converted to Dual M/C with the power brake boost.

All brake lines up to the rear axle.

All Flex hoses
All Brake shoes
All Brake hardware
All self adjusting systems
All Drums
All Parking brake cables(less the front one)

Converted to Silicone Brake fluid

After this tonight all wheel cylinders

I have the brake lines so I'll change those out as well even though they look new and are now clear of obstructions..

I can't think of anything else...:waiting:

Oh yah! I have a new to me brake pedal that has CHROME TRIM!!!:yaayy:

 

[moonrunner1972]

Reading your post is bittersweet for me since it gives me a hint towards a solution for my current "discovery" trying to bleed the rear brakes while sweating the possibilities of replacing all of the lines and rear wheel cylinders. More to follow....

 

[mr. fix it]

I discovered that both rear wheel cylinders were clogged full of crap beyond all belief!

It's all good now even though the car is in half nowadays

Should be back cruising next summer!

 

[butchr66]

When it comes to brakes..... if in doubt, swap it out. There's no worse feeling than a big old mopar oil tanker with no stop abilities. I blew a wheel cylinder on a '59 Desoto years ago and lucky I didn't kill anyone just got away with a bent bumper and fender and decimated two econoboxes I hit. Luckily I laid on the horn and the parking brake worked or I'd prolly still be going to this day! Hahahahaha. Don't skimp on brakes.

 

[mr. fix it]

Luckily I laid on the horn and the parking brake worked or I'd prolly still be going to this day! Hahahahaha. Don't skimp on brakes.

HA HA!!! I can relate to this comment :laughing4: