Replacing my Brakes Options

[purple]

This weekend was step one of two of replacing the brakes on my '76. The previous owner upon selling to me told me that he had rebuilt the front calipers and the brake fluid looked very nice and fresh in the master cylinder. Looks like a nice fresh tank of ATE super blue..... I will find out later that what's in that tank doesnt look like what's in the brake lines....

I started this project because when turning the wheels in the rear to set timing, I can hear the left rear brake dragging, and loudly. I feared it was a bearing, but it wasnt. The brake was dragging. I lift the car and put it on 4 jackstands, the evil kind (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I need some proper pin-thru stands. I have all 4 tires under the car in case the car decides it wants to smoosh me.

I'm using 4 new rebuilt calipers from Eric Shea. With these calipers are 4 new rotors, new front bearings, new seals, 4 new softlines, all new pads. A total of $1038 in parts from Eric.

From the pic...the parts are gorgeous!

[Eric_Shea]

Good write-up.

Fluid inside the handbrake mechanism means the inner adjuster seal is shot.

Are you sure those are the dust covers we're seeing? It may be anti-squeal compound on the back of the pads. If it is the seals, this is what can happen when you have a pad dragging. They get "extremely" hot.

In your first picture of the rear caliper, you can see uneven pad wear and a piston that is out further than the other. This is indicative of stuck pistons or severly skewed adjustment. Looks like your inner piston is stuck and not working.

It's spring time gang. Everyone should take off all 4 and do a once over on your brakes. This is a perfect time to change your fluid and check your pads. If you don't know the last time your rubber lines were replaced... now would be a good time to consider it.

I've said this before; "I've seen hundreds of calipers from the inside. You can tell which ones have been maintained properly and which ones haven't. Take care of your brakes and they'll take care of you."

This also helps point out the issues with 914 brakes. Many times it's the fairly large nut behind the wheel that causes the problem. Patrick is doing the right thing for sure. Stock 914 brakes in proper order are amazing.