Good old blightly
Member
Where to begin, as previously stated inherited my late Fathers RT Charger.
He Had it for 30 years, it mainly sat as he had another which he used.
As with all things he never got round to bringing the RT back into regular service.
It’s a one owner Texas car.
Were over here in England.
Being just like my old Dad its sat at the back of my garage (LOL) other cars, Bikes, and work..
Recently I’ve started to get back into it,
I had the radiator Re-cored, as always had a mystery drip, problem solved.
Decided to give the wheel bearing etc a good old grease up and the brakes a going over,
(always nice to be able to stop).
He had had all new rear shoes/cylinders hoses all done by a local garage.
Front hoses. Etc.
several MOT tests.
Been out for a few spins in it, brakes were always fine/sharp.
But this week while checking front wheel bearings and brakes.
Found the front pads hadn’t been changed. (pic attached of pads).
Seems they don’t wear even. (LOL).
One piston stuck solid, but the other 3 work so should be ok, Right?...
So the Fun begins, whip them off give them a service.
Not a hope in hell of undoing the brake pipe. From the caliper.
So, start working back towards the master cylinder.
Nothing wants to undo, flexy hose etc. just rounding off.
Ended up cutting the pipe off d/side as it enters engine bay (flexy joint).
No idea how going to get the other end yet to undo, thought I would save that for another day, (run out of beer). Sprayed little I could see with wd 40 to soak.
Other side came off no problem.
So, calipers up on the bench, end of brake hose, nicely clamped in vice, and a blue vain popping on my head manage to undo the brake hose. (why do they make the heads out of cheese & they weld themselves up)
Looked at the manual. It states split the caliper,
now it’s a 50 year old + caliper.
Do the 3 bolts normally undo without snapping?
Is there any point?
Decided, try to pop pistons out first without splitting caliper.
All the pistons came out easy but the stuck one.
Gave it a quick bit of heat, out he popped.
Things looking up.
Bores / pistons all seam fine, seals were holding fluid before. Happy days.
Tell I tried a few parts suppliers today here in the UK for a seal set.
One claims to be able to get them but can’t tell me if the small o rings for splitting the calipers are included. Silly prices as well.
Been googling about, is there a rush on these seals, no one seems to have them or do them.
NAPA etc
Some on ebay, NOS, but want more in postage then the seals.
Use to have a 65 Riviera, and looking on Cars website http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=97_138_140&products_id=7103
$30 a set, which look virtually the same.. (although won’t be)
Is it just because it’s a Charger, you pay a premium?
So what’s the general census.
1. Do I split the calipers? (obviously easier to clean, but likely hood of snapping)?
2. If not, can I just soak the whole caliper in brake cleaner and blow out the passage ways, or will that harm the 2 seals inside?
3. Suggestions on where seals can be obtained?
4. Normal sort of cost, so I don’t get tucked up (lol).
5. Suggestions/tips to undoing pipe where it meets valve/splitter box. (small child dangled down by the manifold comes to mind)LOL.
Any ideas or help would be great.
All the best
He Had it for 30 years, it mainly sat as he had another which he used.
As with all things he never got round to bringing the RT back into regular service.
It’s a one owner Texas car.
Were over here in England.
Being just like my old Dad its sat at the back of my garage (LOL) other cars, Bikes, and work..
Recently I’ve started to get back into it,
I had the radiator Re-cored, as always had a mystery drip, problem solved.
Decided to give the wheel bearing etc a good old grease up and the brakes a going over,
(always nice to be able to stop).
He had had all new rear shoes/cylinders hoses all done by a local garage.
Front hoses. Etc.
several MOT tests.
Been out for a few spins in it, brakes were always fine/sharp.
But this week while checking front wheel bearings and brakes.
Found the front pads hadn’t been changed. (pic attached of pads).
Seems they don’t wear even. (LOL).
One piston stuck solid, but the other 3 work so should be ok, Right?...
So the Fun begins, whip them off give them a service.
Not a hope in hell of undoing the brake pipe. From the caliper.
So, start working back towards the master cylinder.
Nothing wants to undo, flexy hose etc. just rounding off.
Ended up cutting the pipe off d/side as it enters engine bay (flexy joint).
No idea how going to get the other end yet to undo, thought I would save that for another day, (run out of beer). Sprayed little I could see with wd 40 to soak.
Other side came off no problem.
So, calipers up on the bench, end of brake hose, nicely clamped in vice, and a blue vain popping on my head manage to undo the brake hose. (why do they make the heads out of cheese & they weld themselves up)
Looked at the manual. It states split the caliper,
now it’s a 50 year old + caliper.
Do the 3 bolts normally undo without snapping?
Is there any point?
Decided, try to pop pistons out first without splitting caliper.
All the pistons came out easy but the stuck one.
Gave it a quick bit of heat, out he popped.
Things looking up.
Bores / pistons all seam fine, seals were holding fluid before. Happy days.
Tell I tried a few parts suppliers today here in the UK for a seal set.
One claims to be able to get them but can’t tell me if the small o rings for splitting the calipers are included. Silly prices as well.
Been googling about, is there a rush on these seals, no one seems to have them or do them.
NAPA etc
Some on ebay, NOS, but want more in postage then the seals.
Use to have a 65 Riviera, and looking on Cars website http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=97_138_140&products_id=7103
$30 a set, which look virtually the same.. (although won’t be)
Is it just because it’s a Charger, you pay a premium?
So what’s the general census.
1. Do I split the calipers? (obviously easier to clean, but likely hood of snapping)?
2. If not, can I just soak the whole caliper in brake cleaner and blow out the passage ways, or will that harm the 2 seals inside?
3. Suggestions on where seals can be obtained?
4. Normal sort of cost, so I don’t get tucked up (lol).
5. Suggestions/tips to undoing pipe where it meets valve/splitter box. (small child dangled down by the manifold comes to mind)LOL.
Any ideas or help would be great.
All the best
Pad wise, i have some thanks,
