In a message dated 96-06-01 22:31:06 EDT, ulix@u.washington.edu (Ulix
Goettsch) writes:
>On Fri, 31 May 1996, Bob Grant wrote:
>> right side front. When I reached around the back
>> of the wheel to feel for the bleed nipple I realized
>> that the entire wheel was incredibly HOT. It was
>> too hot to hold my hand on the road wheel for more
>> than a couple of seconds............
Bob, Ulix,
I'm replying to everyone so that others can benefit from my mistake.
My son and I just went through a learning experience with the brakes on his
car.
Just over a year ago we completed a two year project on a '76 MG Midget.
Recently, my son found that his parking brake was not functional and when we
inspected the rear shoes. They were completely worn out in less than 4,000
miles of driving. We replaced them and 1,000 miles later they were in the
same condition, this time with damage to one of the wheel cylinders and a
drum.
When we got ready to bleed the rear system, we found the rear brake hose
virtually blocked! As you said, Ulix, old brake hoses sometimes fail from the
inside out. I had bought both front and rear replacement hoses. I did install
the front ones, but the back one looked really good so I decided to save the
replacement for later. Bad decision! While that hose would let high pressure
from the master to extend the rear wheel cylinders, it wouldn't allow all of
the pressure to bleed back as it should. This left the rear brakes dragging.
We ruined about $70 in parts as a result of this (not to mention an
unnecessary afternoon under, rather than driving our car) plus some really
poor gas mileage. We also could have had an accident, given the right
situation.
Those hoses are cheap. Replace them all every few years to be safe!
R. Johnson - Dallas
'73 MGB
'76 MG Midget
'79 MG Midget
|