Here's this week's episode. Complete brake system, but no brakes. I'll get there - https://youtu.be/tJmx5goQxr0
Oh man, I so get it. I've been fighting with my brakes for years. Something like 3 or 4 if I remember right. Funny parallel though, mine just moved under its own power for the first time on Saturday too.
I would look at the master first. I haven't had great luck with bench bleeding them. Plus when you install, you end up losing a bunch of fluid anyway. Last time, I used the method outlined here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWfjExPzauU
Starts at about 3:53. Pretty easy, and it works!
Brad
'79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
'17 Ford Focus ST
'14 Ford Fusion SE Manual
Looking at one of the fittings on my stock prop valve (from the M/C to it), it might be leaking a little. There's a number of things I can potentially look at now. Thanks both of you for the replies
I recently replaced the rear brake line from the firewall all the way back to the rear wheel cylinders on my Fairmont. I was installing the center line connection. I bled the rear brakes with a hand vacuum pump. Brakes seem to work fine. Grant, you installed a proportioning valve, right? Have you tried adjusting it?
Yea I had the adjustable prop valve in that video about at the 50% mark.
Here's this week's update - https://youtu.be/HFQAaSdb5tI
Yep, this is what cars do, they kick you when you're down. Rockauto's return procedure really isn't bad. I'd do that. You got a defective part! This isn't your fault. When you read magazine articles about home built cars, they always talk about how the owner had to "stick with it". They don't really give you the full story of what exactly that means, and how bad it gets, is the thing. I'm slowly coming to the realization this kind of thing is far more common than I thought. You have to believe that all your hard work will come to a positive result. Envision that nice day cruise. I salute you for going through this AND posting about it on youtube. That would be a ton of pressure.
Brad
'79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
'17 Ford Focus ST
'14 Ford Fusion SE Manual
Totally normal. Don't worry about video content for awhile.
Once you get over the brake stuff, you will feel better. It all takes time, don't be hard on yourself. Been there.
Mike
Now stang-less.
88 Cougar 5.0
Yea, I'm currently just trying to find balance. I can handle having to go back to the drawing board on the car (in fact the return policy replacement rotor should get here on Friday), I just can't handle for my own sake continuing to make a video that's like "well maybe 2 weeks from now I'll be driving" I think I'm on the 6th iteration of that. It feels like a broken record as far as my content goes. I don't mind admitting to failure either, but...
the let down of not being able to drive my car another week...
on top of stringing my viewers along...
and make a video that I think is worth people's time to watch
I can't handle all of those at the same time. In a vacuum none of them are that bad. They just feel like unnecessary pressure, so I'm taking one off my plate for the sake of the others
Grant, I commented on your latest youtube video. Possibly there's an issue with the way your brake hose fitting is bolted to the leaking caliper. I'm thinking the raised lip on the hose fitting should be facing the caliper? On the front disc fittings, the other side of the fitting, where the washer sits, has a machined recess and it would never seal if you put that side against the caliper. And I think that lip helps locate the fitting correctly on the mounting boss of the caliper. Not sure if the fittings on the rear brake hoses are made the same way. Maybe take a look at the other side that's not leaking to compare.
Hey, I thought of something else. Did you adjust your rear caliper pistons out so that they are touching the pads? And also line up the tab on the pads with the slot in the piston?
Brad
'79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
'17 Ford Focus ST
'14 Ford Fusion SE Manual
Thanks Gary, finally piecing two and two together on screen names now! Haha. Yes this is going to be what I try next. Honestly the passenger side is on the same way. I just think because its crush washer is crushed better it's somehow not leaking. Hoping this is the trick! Thanks again!
As far as your recommendation Brad, I do have the two pins lined up with the pad and the piston, but I haven't really worked the parking brake to engage the rear piston. I know Sunday after re-bleeding everything there was definite evidence that the pistons had moved in more than what they were when I installed them. But when I take the wheels back off to flip the fittings, I will take a look at both of them and investigate to see if they need further adjusting.
Brakes are working better...but not great. But I can at least pull it in and out of the garage with no worries now - https://youtu.be/Q1gq6oicDa8
My 5.0 has 120K miles on it. I plan on doing the GT40P heads and timing chain and HV oil pump with new shaft. Regasket and seals. A HO cam.
IF the engine ever lets go, then I will redo the whole thing. Mine also has good oil pressure and no smoking. We'll see how it goes.
Mike
Now stang-less.
88 Cougar 5.0
I agree, slap 'em on!
I'm also wondering what exactly your brakes are doing now. The video was kind of vague about that. I'm glad you were able to get some air out!
Brad
'79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
'17 Ford Focus ST
'14 Ford Fusion SE Manual
Grant, I may have missed this, but have you checked your brake line for leaks inside the car? The line to the rear runs through the passenger compartment under the carpet. A leak might not be noticable and most likely wouldn't be dripping under the car. Sorry if I'm repeating myself.
You may have, but I have heard it from more than one person. I haven't checked yet, and am considering doing so at this point. The Master doesn't seem to be losing fluid.
Just want to see you get past this hurdle. Working on your car can be fun, but when it fights you it's just frustrating.
Time to get back into the project. Took enough time off! https://youtu.be/C-WfdUj9Xcs
Wel man good to see your on top of your garage. I was literally just contemplating this and will post on my thread. I am curious tho about your brake issue. Feel free to message and I would like to chat on the phone a bit. I have some questions about the YouTube content n stuff so we could help each other out.
Cheers,
Murillo
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For sure. I'm super swamped at work right now, but feel free to send me an email (see that in my about page on YouTube) early March and I'd be happy to exchange ideas. If you live close to Kansas City by dumb luck, heck I'll take someone coming over to help. Plan is to roll the car in the garage on Sunday and start to investigate.
Here's my latest
https://youtu.be/lqDmSSOt8IU
I didn't get the brakes figured out last weekend, but I think I'm down to the last ideas to try this weekend now. If I don't get it sorted out this weekend, I'll probably go SN95 set-up.
https://youtu.be/neqZVLI4jsw
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