Help with brake rotor replacement

[JavaBrewer]

Hi All,

Its Saturday and I'm in the process of replacing all the brake pads and the front rotors of my 86 Carrera. Pads are out no problem however I can't figure out the front calipers. I have Wayne's 101 projects and it mentions a clip where the hard brake line connects to the flexible one and to simply remove the clip so I don't bend the hard line. Well, I have a hard line from the caliper that connects to a soft line at the attachment to the front shock. To me it looks like I need to disconnect the lines to proceed as there is no "clip" to remove.

Is this the case or can someone set me straight here?

I don't have the tools to disconnect the brake lines and then bleed the system so I might have to forgo the rotor replacement and have the local shop do that. Bummer!

Thanks,
David

[JavaBrewer]

Also to note I have Bilstein sport shocks installed so I don't know if this changed the configuration or not.

Thanks again,
David

[89911]

Is this the clip?

To free up this connection, you have to remove the hard line to the flexible one. I suppose, you could move the caliper carefully and still keep it attached, but you will be stressing the connections. Better to disconnect, inspect your caliper for cracked seals, clean, and then reconnect, bleed. You will need to bleed them eventually anyway.

[wckrause]

There should be a metal clip that slides into a grove on the fitting at the end of the soft brake line. This picture kind of shows it. Removing the clip will allow you to move the hard line enough to get the caliper out of the way.

The clip is about an inch wide by about an inch and half long. It has a small tab at the top that you can grab with a pair of vicegrips. It can get a little coroded, so some liquid wrench on it will help loosen things up.

88911 -- that's not the clip that can be removed. The clip is on the other end of the soft line.

[JavaBrewer]

Yes that's the one! I tried posting some pictures but that didn't work out with my horrible dial up connection 28K!!

I don't have that special wrench for removing the brake line connection that is specified in Waynes book and I don't have any brake fluid let alone a brake bleed tool. Guess I went into this unprepared. I guess the Carrera is different than the SC that 101 projects used?

Again, thanks very much

[wckrause]

The clip is #6 in this parts diagram.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_Parts/1978-83/6-4-1.JPG

I don't believe removing it will give you any flexibilty to remove the caliper as I had stated earlier. For the rear brakes, it does allow you to move the caliper away from the rotor.

[JavaBrewer]

Bill,

There are two mounting points. The one furthest away from the caliper is the one you show...on the wheel well (sp). The one 88911 shows is the one I am having difficulty with. Without messing with this connection I cannot move the caliper. I am hesitant to try moving the caliper and possibly hose the hard line.

Thanks Bill and 88911 for the information. What do you all recommend I do from here? Should I just go with pads...my rotors are right at replacement spec and try to replace them again later when I have the tools?

David

[wckrause]

I'd get the right wrenches and remove the caliper and rotor. You're probably due a brake system flush anyway. Plenty of peopel bleed their brakes by pumping the pedal, so no special equipment is needed there.

[89911]

I've had my calipers off at least 1/2 dozen times and, at least on my model (1989 3.2) you can't remove the hard line with the clip shown above connected. Loosening the rear clip does nothing. If you already have rotors, it depends. If your due for repacking your bearing, you can do this also. You don't need any special tools also. A power bleeder is good and worth it

[Gordo2]

Here's the deal on the clip. It does remove but provides only a little movement after you brake the line free. Spray it with some PB buster. Remove the clip. Remove the bolts holding your caliper in place and hang it in place with a coat hangar. Loosen the line/hose fitting from the bracket by banging on the outer rim (not the small fitting). This will let it spin and move back an forth a little. This should give you enough play to get the caliper out of the way to remove the rotors.

The 11mm Flared End Wrench costs $12 bucks at Sears. $26 for a set of them. Worthwhile investment.

Gordo