Dart front disk service- any tips?? Basic questions...

Hey, guys! Next project is to refresh the stock front disk brakes on my 'Sport.

I'm desperately hoping that the original calipers can be saved...what are the odds?

Sitting on the bench, I have fresh rotors, pads, flexible lines (the ones on the car are almost certainly the originals...look scary)...what else should I replace while I'm at it?

When everything is apart, is it typically a good idea to repack the wheel bearings? Do I need to worry about "lip seals"? If the master cylinder isn't leaking, can I assume that it's ok?

What kind of fluid do you guys suggest?

I have a very generic Valiant/Dart shop manual that isn't helping much so any tips or experiences would be appreciated!!

-Mike

MRGTX said:

I'm desperately hoping that the original calipers can be saved...what are the odds?

If you can't save them, they are readily available at NAPA.

Sitting on the bench, I have fresh rotors, pads, flexible lines (the ones on the car are almost certainly the originals...look scary)...what else should I replace while I'm at it?

Make sure you have the copper washers for the lines.

When everything is apart, is it typically a good idea to repack the wheel bearings?

I would absolutely clean, inspect and repack (replace if needed) the wheel bearings.

-Mike

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Bad Sport said:

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Thanks, Bad Sport! Great info.

I do indeed have the copper washers for the flex lines.

The calipers are probably not too expensive...probably shoudln't worry about them...but it would be nice to save them! Budget is extremely tight as always.


Any tips on the lip seals? I haven't been able to find a diagram of them...not sure what they look like or if I'll have to replace them.

..unless pitted,very easy to clean and reuse calipers.

Plain ol' dot 3 is fine for me so long as its fresh, not from a container that has been opened months or years ago. LOL
You'll need to wash the bearings to inspect them. If you do find a bad bearing you can know the grease reservoir between the bearing is contaminated. This means everything gets washed and new grease applied.
If you have ever added brake fluid, closing the calipers can overflow the master cylinders reservoir. If I was replacing hoses I wouldn't push any old fluid back toward the master cylinder. I would drain all of it. With all back pressure removed you should be able to close the calipers with minimal effort. If the pistons do go home easy enough and their dust boots are intact, they could be just fine. If the fluid that comes out of the caliper contains any debris at all ( some discoloration is typical ) you can just about bet the piston and cylinder wall is rusty and may cause the caliper to stick. These calipers are easy to rebuild. Rebuilt replacements are cheap enough too.

The calipers are easy to rebuild, but why bother. They were so cheap at NAPA that I didn't "bother to bother" with rebuild. Additionally if you DO rebuild them and either by some pit in the caliper seal recess or damage to the piston, or a mistake on your part damaging the seal, "it leaks" now you've invested time and money in the kit which you cannot get back.

The calipers, however, are guaranteed!!!

Buy new calipers. Not that expensive.

"Thanks" and thanks to all of you guys!
Fantastic info all around... calling NAPA right now.

Don't forget to wash those new rotors down with brake cleaner.
They come coated with antirust.