1976 Dodge Aspen - Front disc brakes rebuild help

pooch · Feb 11, 2025

Hello guys, I'm looking for some sort of advice for rebuilding front disc brakes on my 76' Dodge Aspen.

They're the stock single piston ones - left side was stucked completely (had to remove it) - air bleeder screw is rusted solid into the caliper & piston is stucked aswell. The state of the passenger's side will probably be the same/similar. (Master Cylinder seems to be working & the brake lines are not leaking.)

I have found some of the parts here&there on the internet but I'd like to get it ordered ideally from one place.

So my question is: Do you guys recommend some seller/website where I can buy everything that I need to rebuild the stock single piston calipers (hardware, bleeder screw, pistons, etc.)
(maybe also add a new pads etc.)?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thx

Mikes5thAve · Feb 11, 2025

Local parts store or Rock auto.
New calipers come with bleeder screws.
There's no reason to not replace pads unless they were just done, which doesn't sound like. They're cheap.
Check the brake hoses for cracks at the same time.

Duke5A · Feb 11, 2025

Rock Auto for everything. I stopped buying parts from local chain stores altogether. The price jump from is just way too much. Something this old will probably have to be ordered by the store anyhow.

I second Mike on the rubber brake hoses. You might be in for a real treat separating them from the hard line though.

AMC Diplomat · Feb 11, 2025

Just check to make sure your buying front or rear mount calipers. Some websites have confused the two, as M bodies are rear mount and, I think, early F is front mount

Mikes5thAve · Feb 11, 2025

We have some local part stores that are still pretty good so unless I'm getting something on Rock Auto because of an un beatable price I usually still get a lot of stuff locally. It's the Canadian shipping that makes Rock Auto not too good at times.

Oldiron440 · Feb 12, 2025

There should be no question about replacing the rubber brake hoses. I would replace the one in the rear also. You can’t tell by just looking at hoses because they break down inside and cause the caliper to drag even not release. The part is inexpensive so replace them.

pooch · Feb 15, 2025

Hello guys, thx for your input! Will probably order everything I need from Rockauto, the website seems to be pretty straightforward. So thats Nice, thanks for the tip.

The thing is I have found that the brake caliper has the phenolic piston installed & is stucked for good. Should I try to remove it by breaking it into smaller pieces(seems to be the only way- compressed air does nothing) or dont even bother (air bleeder valve is also rusted into the caliper).. not sure if it is worth the effort

M_Body_Coupe · Feb 19, 2025

I agree, RockAuto is a good bet, although I will say this: just a few years ago they were really good...but my last 2, maybe 3 orders had parts I ordered in there that looked like they were returns, packaging was broken, stickers attached to them, etc.

Obviously none of them were damaged, otherwise I wouldn't use them, but if I needed to return the stuff (given that I am in the Great White North) it just wouldn't make sense (return shipping cost alone is a loss of all savings).

Soo....in case you still want to do RockAuto here is a savings code:

293598149259912389 good thru Mar_15, 2025

Enjoy,
-Dariusz

MARCH374 · Feb 19, 2025

What about a upgrade to 11.75 Brake's ?

M_Body_Coupe · Feb 21, 2025

MARCH374 said:
What about a upgrade to 11.75 Brake's ?

Now is the right time to do it...and they are worth it...but you need to source the large brackets first, then comes the cost of rotors, etc. Not sure if the OP is looking to get that invested?

MARCH374 · Feb 21, 2025

M_Body_Coupe said:
Now is the right time to do it...and they are worth it...but you need to source the large brackets first, then comes the cost of rotors, etc. Not sure if the OP is looking to get that invested?

You can get them from DR DIFF. Great upgrade. Yes now is the time

Mikes5thAve · Feb 21, 2025

What is this car and what's it used for? There's no reason to go with bigger brakes if it's only a regular driver.

pooch · Apr 10, 2025

Hey guys, sorry for the Late reply.. The car will probably be used only now and then for a while.. just trying to work with what I have at the moment. Might consider upgrading to 11.75brakes in the future, tho.

I have ordered everything that I need from RockAuto we'll see how that goes. (Thx @M_Body_Coupe for the code )

1976 Dodge Aspen - Front disc brakes rebuild help

pooch

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Mikes5thAve

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Duke5A

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AMC Diplomat

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Mikes5thAve

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Oldiron440

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pooch

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M_Body_Coupe

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MARCH374

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M_Body_Coupe

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MARCH374

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Mikes5thAve

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pooch

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