Why are there loops in these brake lines? Wouldn't it be more straightforward to just bend them the minimal amount for them to be routed?

 

It allows for more movement and adjustment without stressing or cracking the lines. And it looks cool?

 

If techs need to make repairs in the line (say if the tube nut gets stripped during MC R&R) then there is extra line to flare a new fitting on.

 

It's strain relief, because the MC moves so much when driving the car. If SOMETHING isn't done to take up all the motion, the lines will crack, sooner or later (probably sooner than later).

DO NOT just straighten them out and shorten them, even though they may "seem" a bit overly complex.

Alot of newer care use a braided stainless section to take up the bending and vibration.

 

Just as added info, that combination valve is the old type, which has SAE (vs. metric) threads and whose lines mount differently than the later alum version. Those differences may make swapping to larger brakes at some point problematic. IIRC, you're trading rear ends. If you currently have drums and the new rear is disc, finding a disc/disc valve of that type might be difficult.

JamesC

 

Here's the valve that came off of that 1985 Firebird Formula that i got the Borg Warner Rear off of. I haven't tried to install it yet.

It actually looks like it's the SAME EXACT valve. Does that mean that I wouldn't have to swap? Are there some numbers that i can compare to know for sure?

 

the differences are on the inside, you cant tell from the outside. It is, however, and earlier style valve, so it will fit you car without re-flaring lines. The newer style is a machined block, not the cast/forged type like that one and yours

 

I found a 4th Gen Posi. It's a 3.23 Ratio, but I can't remove it. The Control Arm bolts are stuck in. Is there a Technique that would help me to remove them? Would you suggest the 4th Gen 3.23 Posi over the 3rd Gen 3.45 posi?

 

cut the control arms in half, my cordless sawzall would make short work of those

the 4th gen unit is newer, and depending on the year, it has better brakes, and parts are a bit easier to find than the 9 bolts. It is a wider rear though

 

Well, i've got about an hour this morning to get that thing off before i have to go to work. At that point, i'm at the mercy of anyone else that happens by. The only thing holding that rear end on is the control arms and the parking brake cables. I ran out of time yesterday. The nuts are off the bolts on the control arms, but i can't get the bolts to slide out. I think it's because there's pressure on the whole thing. I'm gonna try to support it with a jack and hope that works. If i can't get this today, I might lose it. I don't have a nifty cordless sawzall.

 

They're probably seized to the bushing sleeve.

JamesC

 

somtimes, if you beat the snot out of them with a BFH, they will break free and come out, other times, you have to cut them out.

 

I got them out. yesterday i sprayed the **** out of them with WD-40 and it must have worked overnight. I also used a jack to raise the axles a bit. It was raining and muddy today............ Nice. Since i don't have a Truck, i took home my new rear end IN MY CAMARO. My interior is crap anyhow, so it's not an issue. I think that the guy that helped me put it in there thought i was crazy though. Serial Numbers on the housing are 26029188.

You should see what i looked like when i was done. I was half temped to go down town to a nice high end clothing store and shop for some new threads. That would have been a good scene for Jacka$$.