problem with 69 front brake assembly

[Michael L.]

pass front caliper B.jpgpass front caliper A.jpgdrivers front rotor and caliper.jpgdrivers front caliper B.jpgdrivers front caliper A.jpg

Guys,

trying to install the front brake calipers on my 69 and the driver's side pad is rubbing pretty hard without the any hydraulic fluid in the brakes yet. I can't turn the rotor by hand but I can turn the passenger side easily. I can turn the drivers side with a pry bar only. I posted these photos for your feedback. You can see the clearance for the drivers side outer pad is much less than the inner. You can also see the outer portion of the rotor on the drivers side is considerably thicker than the inner rotor surface. The rotor on the other side is basically equal from inner and outer surfaces. I think I can rectify this with a small flat washer to shim the caliper over just a little but wanted to see what your thoughts were on that.

Mike

[Edward J.]

Re: problem with 69 front brake assembly

Mike, You'll likely have to look closer, you should not have to shim anything, it a bolt up situation and should be as the Pass. side rotating freely. is it possible that one of the caliper brackets is bent? Did you install a caliper bracket bolt that may be to long and is against the rotor causing it not to turn? Did you install new wheel bearings and races and maybe one of the races is not bottomed out in hub?

[Joe L.]

Re: problem with 69 front brake assembly

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Guys,

trying to install the front brake calipers on my 69 and the driver's side pad is rubbing pretty hard without the any hydraulic fluid in the brakes yet. I can't turn the rotor by hand but I can turn the passenger side easily. I can turn the drivers side with a pry bar only. I posted these photos for your feedback. You can see the clearance for the drivers side outer pad is much less than the inner. You can also see the outer portion of the rotor on the drivers side is considerably thicker than the inner rotor surface. The rotor on the other side is basically equal from inner and outer surfaces. I think I can rectify this with a small flat washer to shim the caliper over just a little but wanted to see what your thoughts were on that.

Mike

Mike------


You've got some kind of installation problem or a bent caliper bracket. My suggestion is to completely disassemble it, check everything as Edward describes, and CAREFULLY re-assemble. I would not even attempt to shim anything. If everything is right, no shimming would be necessary.

By the way, your rotors look like they have suffered severe pitting corrosion, at least on the ends. I'd also want to make sure these rotors have not been worn or machined down beyond minimum thickness which, as I recall, is 1.215". If it were me, just because of the apparent corrosion I'd replace them.

[Ross F.]

Re: problem with 69 front brake assembly

Mike, I found a similar situation with my 75. The caliber bolts are a special length, and if they are too long will interfere with the disc. Since you moved it with a pry bar, if the bolts are too long, when you take it apart you will see scoring on the back of the disc. Not catastropic, but a clear indication of the problem.

[Michael L.]

Re: problem with 69 front brake assembly

Thanks for all the helpful advice on this one guys. Finally figured it out. I never knew the calipers had a LH and RH designation! Figured this out when I tried to connect the brake hoses and they didn't reach. I swapped the caliper left to right and presto no problem. Thanks again guys.

Mike