Question regarding removing rear brake rotors.

[PabloX]

(for the record, I searched)

I need to replace the rotors and pads on my '86 911. The calipers are fine so I don't want to remove them. The tech article states that I need to remove the clip and then I'll be able to get the caliper out of the way by bending at the flex line. However, there's a problem. It seems I need to remove the clip and then push the brake line through the hole in the control arm towards the brake caliper. Unfortunately, that's frozen.

So the question is, do I have that correct? Do I need to push the brake line out of that hole towards the caliper? If so, any tricks for getting that neck out of the hole?

I did find this thread but it doesn't mention the problem.

brake rotors revisited

[theclaw]

Those clips can be hard to get out. I usually have to get a BF screwdriver under it and give a few taps to get it started.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by theclaw

Those clips can be hard to get out. I usually have to get a BF screwdriver under it and give a few taps to get it started.

The clip wasn't bad at all. I just used a big flat blade screwdriver to pry it out. The problem is that the brake line is still stuck in the hole.

Here's a pic (not mine) of what I'm talking about. So once the clip is out, how do I push the line out towards the left?

[chrisbruck]

I just did the same thing on my '87 about a month ago. I pulled out the metal spring clip, undid the caliper bolts and then just pushed / pulled and wiggled it till it went through the hole. My hard line was under a little bit of tension but once you got it lined up it went through and I could push the caliper back out of the way. You may have to "man-handle" the hard line a little bit but it should fit right through... unless you have non-factory parts on there.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by chrisbruck

I just did the same thing on my '87 about a month ago. I pulled out the metal spring clip, undid the caliper bolts and then just pushed / pulled and wiggled it till it went through the hole. My hard line was under a little bit of tension but once you got it lined up it went through and I could push the caliper back out of the way. You may have to "man-handle" the hard line a little bit but it should fit right through... unless you have non-factory parts on there.

Perfect answer. Thanks.

I figured that might be the case but I was trying to figure out if there's some trick first.

[chrisbruck]

Don't forget, you are pushing the caliper IN towards the tranny, not pulling it OUT away from the car. If I remember correctly the fitting on the flex line side is just big enough to fit in the hole snugly when the spring clip is pushed in place. You can't pull it through the hole.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by chrisbruck

Don't forget, you are pushing the caliper IN towards the tranny, not pulling it OUT away from the car. If I remember correctly the fitting on the flex line side is just big enough to fit in the hole snugly when the spring clip is pushed in place. You can't pull it through the hole.

Hmm. Ok. There's a steel collar on the outside of the hole (towards the caliper). So that collar should push through the hole towards the transmission?

[chrisbruck]

It should.... it did on mine. It's a close fit but it passes through.

[jason2guy]

just disconnect it for gods sake. do this- press the brake pedal down 1inch and hold it there with something, this stops the brk fluid from flowing. then just gravity bleed that caliper when its done. put a line on the bleeder feed that into a container then open the bleeder and let the fluid flow for 3-4 minutes. thats it. just keep an eye on the master cylnder fluid level.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by chrisbruck

It should.... it did on mine. It's a close fit but it passes through.

Excellent. Thanks. Maybe I can push it through, carefully, with some water pump pliers.

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by jason2guy

just disconnect it for gods sake. do this- press the brake pedal down 1inch and hold it there with something, this stops the brk fluid from flowing. then just gravity bleed that caliper when its done. put a line on the bleeder feed that into a container then open the bleeder and let the fluid flow for 3-4 minutes. thats it. just keep an eye on the master cylnder fluid level.

I just bled the brakes at the beginning of last summer. I understand how to bleed brakes. If I can't get the line moved by the prescribed method, I'll disconnect the line.

I find it hard to believe the Porsche dealer would have disconnected the line every time they did a brake job.

[rusnak]

I don't understand why you can't just tie the caliper with wire and hang it out of the way, leaving the brake lines alone.

[Flojo]

because there is a fixture... look again at the picture in post #3

[safe]

You don't need to remove it, there is enough flex in the hardline to get the caliper out of the way.

[mreid]

Take a smaller open end wrench, slip it over the fitting, and tap it with an SFH (that's Small F'ing Hammer). It should come right out. This is much better than bending the hard line which will work harden and eventually crack.