Well, as you can see in my other post, I finally got the front suspension
done. The brakes are still giving me a problem. Here is the situation.
Previously, my two front disc brake calipers were frozen in the locked on
position. Following list advice, I released pressure on the flex hoses
(both at chassis and bleed nipple). Still locked. Had the brake calipers
rebuilt by a local shop. Looked great. I installed my new flex hose lines
and the newly rebuilt calipers. Wheels seemed to turn pretty nicely on the
new rotors I installed. There was just the smallest hitch/grab on either
rotor, but certainly better than with my old rotors. I'm starting to think
things are ok. Using a Mityvac I bled the lines. I still can't believe I
managed to do that right on the second time round the bases. :)
Now the brakes grabbed more. At this point I just =have= to test drive the
car. It's been ages and much front end work done. I was also hoping the
disc pads would set in some and the grab would disappear. Was careful to
not go far, drive fast, corner like I like to or brake hard. Front end
handling seemed fine which is one relief. No brake leaking (after I
tightened the passenger side bleed nipple - oops) - another relief.
BUT the rotors were hot, hot, hot. So, I guess the brake grabbing problem
is still there.
1) Don't think it's a flex hose problem. New hoses and I was careful not
to kink them. I guess I can release the pressure again to be sure.
2) Looking at Haynes I made sure that the resevoir vent hole was not
blocked. Didn't look like it and I have verified that at least now it is
definitely clear.
3) The brake calipers were just rebuilt so I'm thinking it's not the
pistons sticking.
Haynes also suggests making sure that the mc bypass port is not restricted.
Is that something I can see without taking the master cylinder apart?
Another suggestion is that my mc pushrod may be out of alignment giving too
little brake pedal free movement, but that this is on early models only. I
have a 1974 Midget so that doesn't seem right. When brake pedal free
movement is mentioned, what is meant? Does this mean that when I press on
the brake I shouldn't immediately feel the firmness?
Any ideas?
To be honest, I'll probably end up taking this to the shop unless there is
a really easy fix. Bad brakes (and heating up like this seems really bad)
make me more nervous than many other things. Besides, I'm getting tired of
working on the front of this car. :)
Again, thanks for any and all advice.
Philip
Burgundy 1974 Midget
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