Front disk brake removal

Kramer79

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Hello...

I have the Cotter pin, and Bearing and washer etc out, caliper off... it seems like there is a back gasket or bearing “sucking” the disk back on and it won’t budge ... slides forward like half inch? Do I just rip it off? Looks like a black rubber piece that is not on the new rotor? Thanks! Also any pre bent hard lines for these cars? Taking one out it broke ...
 

Kramer79

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Like the back bearing is stuck I guess - hammer away? And one last one, anyone rebuild the caliper or just buy new? If the piston get loose enough I may try to save it...
 

Lightning II

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Probably give the rotor a couple slight whacks with a dead-blow hammer to persuade it to come free. On the brake line, do you mean before the rubber section, or right near where it bolts to the caliper?
 

volare 77

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The bearing may be seized to the spindle possibly due to lack of grease or rust. The spindle may be toast.
 

Kramer79

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Thanks, finally got it off, bearing was stuck but came free, no marks on the spindle... ordered bearings and hopefully the correct gaskets/covers for behind the back bearing... the hard line is the short one from to drivers side disk so hopefully not difficult to duplicate...
 

BudW

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Sometimes it can take a lot to get one off. The big thing is to look at the spindle very well and also slide both (new) bearings onto the spindle before greasing 'em up to make sure there is no issues. If spindle and bearing surfaces are clean, the bearings should slide on smoothly with no hangups and with no play.
20161021_214924.jpg


If you do have a spindle with any small nicks or burrs on it, sometimes they will clean up – but most times no (can't be salvaged). If you attempt to clean a spindle – be sure to clean it VERY WELL afterwards or those metal shavings (and abrasives) WILL make their way into your new bearing.

Here are a picture of a bad FMJ spindle (damaged bearing surface):
20161020_212648a.jpg

I see a lot more problems with the smaller bearing - but have seen damage at either end.
BudW
 

Kramer79

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52578FB5-88F0-4F93-9F59-C268D8F77E2F.jpeg
1DEF2A6E-9B2C-4331-8CB2-765C3B413648.jpeg
CB47D024-C2A8-4A48-A02C-D8F35A256942.jpeg

So onto the passenger side, which of course came off with no incident, wheel spun normally, bearings look ok but... I’m guessing this is not a good spindle ??? Uggg! This project!
 

BudW

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Definitely looks like an accident waiting to happen.
I concur.
It reminds me of seeing a tire going down the highway, then looking back to see a multi-car pileup, with lead car missing the before mentioned tire.
BudW
 

Kramer79

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I’ll be searching for a replacement... I see used ones on eBay but no good pictures of the part...
 

Kramer79

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Hello! Anyone have a recommendation on ball joint separator? I have one that I thought would work but the screw drive is too long and the side “claws” flex a bit much. I was thinking of a cheap Amazon one as hopefully it will be used only to get this spindle off! Thanks...
 

Camtron

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Need a 1-59/64” ball joint socket for the upper ball joint, think I spent like $30 for one on Amazon.
And for a separator, I have one from NAPA that’s “heavy Duty” and was tough enough to get my ball joints and pitman arm off after the other “standard” ball joint separators kept breaking on me. It’s over $100 to buy but, you can rent it from NAPA for a refundable deposit.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-10213-64-Inch-Joint-Socket/dp/B003IOEQ1O

[URL]https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7761078?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Tools-Equipment&campaign_id=8553470562&adgroup_id=107047174069&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl9GCBhDvARIsAFunhskOfXIrwkIDAjpKGlBtp8JT_Pmh5zaAqFHuOPolRTmlhZF2odw2xMsaArWWEALw_wcB&
[/URL]
 

Camtron

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Take your time with the upper ball joints and be careful separating it and the control arm from the spindle. Keep the castle nut close to the spindle when you separate them so the ball joint doesn’t pop too bad.
I just had the “threads” for the ball joint in the UCA strip out doing a ball joint replacement on my, Fifth Ave. $500 later and I’m still waiting for my replacement control arms.
 
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