About two years ago I completely rebuilt the brakes in my 1970 Dart GT. Since then I have put about 13,0000 miles on the car. While many probably know this information, I did not, so I thought it would be good to post it here.
Replacing wheel cylinders - this is a lesson from my back brakes - 10 inch factory style drums. There is a foam gasket that comes with complete gasket sets that goes between the wheel cylinder and the backing plate. Somehow this seemed so unimportant that when I put mine together I neglected to install them. An oversight, not a conscious decision. I had the slightest leak (I mean really tiny) in the seal between the brake line and the wheel cylinder (this sealing issue is addressed next). Fluid seeped down the back of the wheel cylinder and without the gasket it seeped into the interior of the drum brakes. It was just enough to wet surfaces below the cylinder (hard to see when assembled) and brake dust from the shoes adhered to the film. Over time more seepage, more brake dust. When I removed the drum on that side there was a fist sized accumulation which explained the issues with lockup of that one drum when it was raining. (((sigh))) don't do what I did.
I got all new brake lines and wanting to avoid corrosion got stainless lines - they didn't cost that much extra. I have stainless lines on one of my other Darts, but they were installed 20 years ago and I can't remember why I walked into a room 5 minutes ago. I had a really hard time getting several of the fittings to seal. I talked to Fine lines and they pointed out that the lines are much harder than stock mild steel lines and may require many rounds of loosen and tighten to get them sealed. One small line never did seal and Fine Lines sent me a mild steel version to solve the problem. I wailed and gnashed my teeth during this seemingly endless sealing process here on FABO, and someone here was kind enough to point out the availability on conical copper 'gaskets' to go between the two parts being sealed. This made great sense to me as I was provided with copper washer gaskets to seal the caliper hoses on the car (duh). I inserted these little devils in my leaking fittings and they sealed first try, no muss/no fuss. Why the companies that sell these stainless lines don't just send them with a brake line set is beyond me. If I had know I would have just put them in every fitting and saved myself many hours of work.
I hope this saves some folks some time and effort.
Replacing wheel cylinders - this is a lesson from my back brakes - 10 inch factory style drums. There is a foam gasket that comes with complete gasket sets that goes between the wheel cylinder and the backing plate. Somehow this seemed so unimportant that when I put mine together I neglected to install them. An oversight, not a conscious decision. I had the slightest leak (I mean really tiny) in the seal between the brake line and the wheel cylinder (this sealing issue is addressed next). Fluid seeped down the back of the wheel cylinder and without the gasket it seeped into the interior of the drum brakes. It was just enough to wet surfaces below the cylinder (hard to see when assembled) and brake dust from the shoes adhered to the film. Over time more seepage, more brake dust. When I removed the drum on that side there was a fist sized accumulation which explained the issues with lockup of that one drum when it was raining. (((sigh))) don't do what I did.
I got all new brake lines and wanting to avoid corrosion got stainless lines - they didn't cost that much extra. I have stainless lines on one of my other Darts, but they were installed 20 years ago and I can't remember why I walked into a room 5 minutes ago. I had a really hard time getting several of the fittings to seal. I talked to Fine lines and they pointed out that the lines are much harder than stock mild steel lines and may require many rounds of loosen and tighten to get them sealed. One small line never did seal and Fine Lines sent me a mild steel version to solve the problem. I wailed and gnashed my teeth during this seemingly endless sealing process here on FABO, and someone here was kind enough to point out the availability on conical copper 'gaskets' to go between the two parts being sealed. This made great sense to me as I was provided with copper washer gaskets to seal the caliper hoses on the car (duh). I inserted these little devils in my leaking fittings and they sealed first try, no muss/no fuss. Why the companies that sell these stainless lines don't just send them with a brake line set is beyond me. If I had know I would have just put them in every fitting and saved myself many hours of work.
I hope this saves some folks some time and effort.
