Thought it was a good idea

[BigFlo]

I had to change the front driver brake caliper on my wife’s car yesterday because one of the pistons froze. I wanted to remove the old caliper, bring it to the store so I could take care of the core charge in one trip and not have to go back later. It has a banjo fitting for the brake fluid and I said to myself, “Self, how can I stop the fluid from draining out, while I make the trip to the store”. After thinking for a few, I thought of the foam earplugs that you crunch down between your fingers and they expand. So I did - I squeezed the earplug, stuck it in the banjo hole and viola! It expanded and at least slowed the drip. I put a container under it to catch anything that dropped out. I made the trip to the store and when I returned, I realized that brake fluid kinda dissolves that foam. The plug was still there and mostly doing it’s job, but it fell apart when I tried to remove it. And it turned the brake fluid orange that drained out. So I guess it was mostly successful, but not what I expected.

 

[gkent]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions !!

 

[gkent]

Looks like weiners and beans ... without the beans !!

 

[RemCharger]

Let's be honest, a brake fluid flush is a perfectly good idea. No further behind

 

[PlymCrazy]

Oops

 

[padam]

FYI, if you prop the brake pedal down a bit, no fluid will run out.

If you’re going to be awhile disconnect the battery so the brake light doesn’t drain it.

 

[radical rob]

They make a tool, cheap, to clamp the rubber brake line, or in a pinch straight vise grip plier with something in jaws to keep from puncturing the brake line.

 

[R413]

Don't pinch the brake hose. Ever.

Take the hose off of the brake line, put a small vacuum cap over the end of the steel line.

 

[WileERobby]

Moral of the story: PUT THE PARTS IN AND FINISH THE JOB. Worry about the core charge later.

 

[BigFlo]

Moral of the story: PUT THE PARTS IN AND FINISH THE JOB. Worry about the core charge later.

either way, it worked out. It was just funny that I thought it was clever, but who knew brake fluid ate foam earplugs.

 

[WileERobby]

either way, it worked out. It was just funny that I thought it was clever, but who knew brake fluid ate foam earplugs.

Brake fluid... eats paint... ear plugs... twinkies...

 

[1STMP]

either way, it worked out. It was just funny that I thought it was clever, but who knew brake fluid ate foam earplugs.

I did.

 

[padam]

Don't pinch the brake hose. Ever.

Take the hose off of the brake line, put a small vacuum cap over the end of the steel line.

I agree about not pinching the brake hose. I think those tools are made for low pressure lines