This is what I feel like right now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YR1iMXh7Nc
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This is what I feel like right now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YR1iMXh7Nc
I took the caliper off and there is what looks like an emerg brake attachment where a bracket would have gone. I turned the piston in both directions using the special tool from Autozone and it made no difference. Piston wouldn't budge either in or out. I am not familiar with this style of caliper and do not know what normal operation is. Off of the car should the piston turn freely in or out?
Is it possible to just do away with this type of caliper and brackets? Can I just cut the old Versailles bracket off of the axle without messing with the bearing and then install a new more user friendly and parts friendly disc brake kit?
That bracket is what holds the axle in the housing-do some studing of how the system works-you seem to be lost from day one on this and I wish I was there to straighten it out---------Maybe a good idea would be for you to buy a set of rebuild loaded calipers-------come with the pads installed and the parking brake rebuilt also----
Sir,
I could not find a whole lot of information on the web about these 40+ year brake systems and usually exhaust all searches before coming to sites like this. Lost in this particular instance would be an accurate statement however, especially in a truck I didn't build and no previous owner around to ask what he did. As far as cutting off the old bracket, I understand that it holds the axle in the housing and they make bolt on kits that also hold the axles in the housing but use different disc brake calipers and rotors. That would be my last resort option.
I was finally able to get the piston to budge after using a cheater with the tool handle. These calipers are most likely original equipment and the fluid that came out was watery and brownish/red color and looked old anyway. I will take your advice and buy 2 new or remanufactured calipers and see if that will work first. Appreciate the advice.
The pistons in the original calipers were frozen and not repairable. I bought 2 new calipers from oh oh oh Oreilly. Do you have to place some type of grease between where the caliper and its bracket make contact (see picture). BTW the new calipers have the bleed screw and brake line connection in a different location but I think it will work. The piston on these original calipers can be adjusted with a 1 5/16 inch socket so you don't have to use the cheap rental tool with the small tits that bend or break off.
I always like to use a copper anti sieze on those sliding parts. Same thing on the ends of the pads.
Well that didn't work. Calipers from Oreilly would not work. Back to square one and my last option. Any recommendations on how to cut off these Versailles brackets without damaging my Strange Engineering axles?
Have the bearing and caliper bracket presses off
I checked on new bearings and the cost to have them put on. Parts, labor and shipping $200+. I can cut the old Versailles brackets off for free. Just have to figure out how.
And then how will you keep the axle in the car?
That bracket being captured by the bearing and pressed into place may be what holds the axle in the housing.
OR do you know if "C" clips were holding the axle inside the differential?
Yes Sir you are correct in that bracket holds the axle in place by bolting to the axle flange. Most new disc brake kits come with flanges that do the same. This is the kit I am looking to use from "Quick Performance". Same guys I bought my 9 inch 3rd member from (differential for you funny guys). Great people with great service.
If you don't want to damage the axles, you really should just take the axles to a machine shop and have the old bearings pressed off. Trying to cut the old bracket off is a recipe for disaster. One slip and you've got a damaged axle.
A torch would most likely overheat the axle and/or bearing.
A cut off wheel will be difficult to work in that tight space without getting into either the bearing or axle or both.
The axles are worth more than the bearings. I wouldn't take a chance with them.
One down and one to go! Dremel, cut off discs, small chisel and 30 minutes is what it took to get the brackets off without damage to anything other than the bracket.
Second one is cut off and ready for a new brake kit.