Brakes failed on the highway!

[metarinka]

what an experience. Driving on the 10 In Los angeles and the peddle felt a little mushy, then mushier, then nothing. No brakes. Lucky for me it was late night and traffic was very light. I was only a few miles from home so I managed to sneak along in the slow lane using engine braking and the hand brake to get myself home.

It appears that the front left caliper is leaking down again. What's happening is that on the back of the caliper where the line enters there's a crush washer. I think the surface under the washer is pitted or scratched. Whatever the reason. Doesn't seem to want to hold. I fear I'll strip the threads if I use an impact hammer... and I don't have one. This has happened before. At first we identified that both sides where missing the brake line retaining clip, which prevents the line from moving and backing off the brakes. I purchased some new ones and thought that had solved the problem. With the help of a mechanic friend I got the brakes pumped down and it was acting very good for a month until the other day.

I'm very tempted now just to throw the baby out with the bath water and buy a new aftermarket brake kit with new rotors, pads and lines. (the lines are new as of october).

Anyone have any experience with leaking brakes before? Worth it to upgrade or try to fix the current hardware?

[So Cal Mark]

if the caliper sealing surface is pitted, you need to make it smooth somehow. Sanding, filing, etc but a copper washer won't crush enough to fill any pits. Throwing the whole system away is a little overkill. Heck, you can get a rebuilt exchange caliper for about $39

[mdrburchette]

That is scary. Glad nothing terrible happened. I'm with Mark on replacing the caliper vs reworking the whole system. Unless you want to upgrade, the original brakes are pretty problem free when they're properly maintained. If you do decide to upgrade, check out the Whoa Brakes kit from Midwest 124. I've got them on my 72 and have been happy with them.

[pooldoctorstl]

I don't mean to ask stupid questions, but there are 2 copper crush washers on those fittings. One top and one bottom. Are both installed?

[metarinka]

I don't mean to ask stupid questions, but there are 2 copper crush washers on those fittings. One top and one bottom. Are both installed?

The washers I have were aluminum crush washers... Maybe that's part of the issue too soft? we tried used copper washers but they seemed too hard, didnt' want to strip the screw head.

[BartusCompater]

I just replaced my front end calipers/rotors/pads and had an experience with a leaky brake line. Luckily I caught it while I was bleeding the brakes and not while on the highway. The issue was a little different however, I'm inexperienced and I didn't realize that I couldn't use my old copper washers when attaching the new calipers. I picked up some new washers just yesterday and threw them on and it seems to be sealed up tight.

I did notice that I forgot to put those brackets back on my line though, so I'm gonna have to take the shoes off the car and throw those back on sometime soon.

The washers on mine were copper though, so I'm fairly certain that this is what you're supposed to use.

[spiderrey]

Metarinka, where in L A are you located?

[metarinka]

Metarinka, where in L A are you located?

Central La, Korea-town/ Mid city near the 10 and arlington.

[TJC]

That is scary. But, if one of the front calipers was leaking down, shouldn't you still have the pressure for the rear brakes to work? I thought that was the reason we all have dual circuit brake systems.

[So Cal Mark]

now you realize what little braking the rears do