Steven6282

Hey everyone,
I've recently discovered that I have a brake leak somewhere. Not sure where exactly, it's in the back part of the brake system somewhere cause that half of the reservoir always gets low first. So I figure since it's all 27ish year old stuff, I'm going to rebuild everything. I don't have the money to do any better brake conversions yet, but I want to rebuild the master cylinder, rebuild the drums, replace the brake lines, and replace the cylinders and such in the drums.

I have a few questions on this, for one, is there anywhere that I can see a good brake system overview so that I can figure out what all parts I need to order, or does anyone have any recommendations on it?

Second, the brake lines. I see I can get some pre-bent stainless steel lines on Summit, but then I see the flex line kits from Hawks. Which is better? I was thinking the flex lines would be better but not sure? Also, I'm sure Summit has some flex lines? Imagine the Hawks stuff is like everything else they sale and seriously over priced. Plus I've got about 200 summit bucks that I need to spend soon.

Is there anything special in rebuilding the brakes that I should be aware of? Tips to make the job easier or things to watch out for?

Thanks for any help!

EDIT:
Found this set on Summit, anyone happen to have any experience with it?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-692050/overview/

Says it comes in pre-packaged lengths and includes all the hardware and fittings, it is listed as compatable with an 86 camaro. But I can't find anywhere anything about the lengths of the lines, how do I know for sure the lines are the right lengths?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

"Lines" usually refers to the pieces of metal tubing that go from the front of the car to the rear, etc. They're like 8' long.

The thing in the link is usually called "hoses". There's one at each front wheel and one at the center of the rear. Those, if they fit the car, they're the right length; not something to worry about, what that length actually is. They're a foot or 2 each.

Autozone probably has a good parts breakdown for those; they're super generic and common as dirt, so such diagrams are pretty common too.

Only tip I can think of is, replace EVERY part (except maybe the drums); the wheel cylinders are like $10 apiece, calipers are like $12, and complete hardware kits for the rears are like $8 for both sides. Same for the master cyl; AFAIK there isn't even a rebuild kit available for those, but they're CHEEEEEP to replace. Not worth fooling around with the old stuff. New rotors and wheel bearings up front would complete making the system like brand spanking new.

Steven6282

Thanks, after more digging last night I actually found a complete drum kit on Summit for only 100 dollars. Includes everything to completely replace both drums. I might do that, will have to decide. New shoes for it are 26 dollars, plus the 8 for the rebuild kit. I don't think the new drums comes with new cylinders, those are 8 dollars each.

I also did find the new master cylinders with new reservoirs and they are pretty cheap to, I think it was like 20 dollars or something. The only thing that seems expensive is the brake booster. It was like 150 dollars for a new brake booster on summit. Of course that was some fancy chrome looking booster, not sure if I even want that, I've got alot of chrome / polished aluminum under the hood as it is, getting close to having to much lol.

So I need new lines and new hoses then? If there is one hose going to the center of the back, what goes from the center to the cylinders? Is that more lines? Or are the lines usually strong enough that they don't need to be replaced? The prebent steel lines have huge ranges in price, I see some sets that say they are only 50 dollars and some that say they are 200 dollars... cannot figure out what the difference is in them. All of them say they come in sets of 4 so I'm assuming that is all that I need for the lines?

If I should replace the calipers, are there any 2 or 4 piston calipers that will fit a stock sized rotor and work better? The stock calipers are a single piston right? So if I put a 2 or 4 piston in there it should be a firmer grip on the rotor when I press the brakes giving better control on stopping right?

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Well, let's see here...

First, if you notice you're losing fluid in the REAR of the M/C, you're losing it in the FRONT brakes. The REAR reservoir is bigger because of the larger pistons in the FRONT needing more fluid as the pads wear.

Second, leave the booster alone unless it has failed. If you want to change the M/C, make sure you don't lose the pushrod inside the booster. Also check the M/C mount in the booster to make sure there isn't any fluid leak there or you could end up replacing the booster soon.

Third, go and get a coil of brake line and some fittings. You can get 25' of brake line and all of the fittings you could possibly need for about half of the cost of one of those prebent kits. It only takes a couple hours to bend all of the lines in the system, and about another to flare the ends. Yes, the distance between the front of the car and the rear axle is about 8', but the line is more like 15' long... Lots of bends and stuff in it to get it to go around this, that, and the other thing under there. And be careful with the fuel/brake line retainer brackets.

Steven6282

I don't have the patience or the tools to put that many bends in the line lol. I thought I could replace the entire hard line with a flex line, but I guess not. In that case I'm probably going to just use my existing lines instead of paying 230 dollars for a complete set of pre-bent lines. Pretty sure that is the set I would need to replace all of my lines, it's the one for front disc rear drums.

I looked through some calipers, and the price difference is pretty large. 13 dollars for a reman oem single piston caliper (or 26 a set), 400ish for a new set of 2 piston calipers that would work with my stock rotor. Not paying that much for a 2 piston caliper hehe. I'd rather just wait till I have an extra 1k to do a complete upgrade to a 4 piston caliper and bigger rotor on the front =/

Trying to decide if all new drum kit is worth an extra 65 dollars. Or is new shoes and a hardware kit all I really need?

Tom3rdgen90

I found a complete prebent brake line kit on ebay for 109.00 plus 20.00 for shipping 129.00 which includes rearend front lines and front to back lines. search camaro complete brake line kit ull find it. thats what i ordered and it was just like the ones i pulled off.