MattBlackMinibus - Progress Report

[MattBlackMinibus]

Cheers Andy

Got one on the way

[MinorMatt]

Both the rear flexis were collapsed on my escort when I got it

[MattBlackMinibus]

Blimey!

You know, I have never heard of flexi hoses collapsing before.
Perishing maybe, but not collapsing.
Live n learn.

[general--lee]

good build and write up have you made the trick motorcycle ramp yet?

[MattBlackMinibus]

good build and write up have you made the trick motorcycle ramp yet?

Cheers General
No, actually I haven't thought about that for ages
Thanks for putting the thought back into my head
Another thought that'll be buzzing around in my head for a few weeks
while I iron out the logistics.

[MattBlackMinibus]

The current state of affairs

New brake disc fitted, but sill having brake seizing problems;


Need to fit new flexi brake hose,
so whilst waiting for it I thought I'd make sure I can release the bleed nipple,
but of course it was seized and rounded
Gently (not) eased a smaller socket onto it and turned it with a 1/4" bar...
which snapped inside the socket
So, out with the angle grinder.
Ground two flats into the sides of the socket to put a spanner onto;


It suddenly turned, and I smacked myself in the chops and bashed my head on the arch.
Nice But at least it turned

Then onto the flexi-hose.
Got an 11mm spanner fitted onto the solid hose end inside the wing,
got a spanner onto the flexi hose end outside the wing (inside the wheel arch),
and it rounded of course
Got some grips on it just now, but it ain't budging.

Thinking now to get mole-grips solidly locked onto the flexi hose end inside the wing,
see if that'll hold it while I try again to undo the 11mm hose end from it,
but it's such an awkward place to get to.

Had to cancel a trip to France last week due to this brake problem,
I'm supposed to be delivering a Harley chassis I've sold.

Re-booked it for this week, but will have to refund him now I think,
unless he's prepared to wait again.
He will not be impressed

[the_big_fact_hunt]

why not send a link to this thread as proof that you are having van troubles?

[MIXA]

Thanks to Andy for the link just saved a furtune on good old henry fords price of £40.84 each ,2 off these guys £29.50 inc postage nice one mate

[MattBlackMinibus]

why not send a link to this thread as proof that you are having van troubles?

Bloody good idea mate! Cheers

[MattBlackMinibus]

Removed complete brake pipe from pump/servo/divider thing in engine bay,
ground back the fitting outside the wing, cut off the pipe,
and smashed the fitting through the wing.
Once in the bench vice they came apart easily.

Fitted new hose but caliper still locked onto disc.

Now removed caliper again, and after lots of swearing
have managed to removed the pistons.

Now I can't buy new seals
Boll'cks

[WINDSCREENGUY]

bugger just be easier to get a second hand caliper wont it?

[MattBlackMinibus]

Easier definitely,
but I don't want to back to square 1 in six months when that starts sticking!

After a good clean up,
I'm currently rebuilding caliper with old oil seals (which seem ok) and no dust seals.
F**k it, I'll be back on the road till I can get a seal kit,
or till I can afford a nice pair of shiny brand new calipers.

I've been without the van for too long now,
it's costing me dearly and stressing me out.

[supersport]

try bigg red for seal kits.

[MattBlackMinibus]

Yep, Big Red's who I eventually found on ebay.

Won a Brand-New caliper over the weekend for 22.50.
Right hand, listed as a left.
Was also offered another for 35.
Bargains are out there to be had.

Just returned from weekend away, so it's now time to get it all back together.
Will post details and pics when I get time

[MattBlackMinibus]

New caliper didn't arrive today, so I stuck the old one back on there.
I replaced the dust seal with copper grease as recommended, but it's still dragging a bit.
I took it out for a 10 minute drive and the disc got much hotter than the other side.

It was nothing like before, no pulling, and no hot wheel, but still not right.
I will get the new caliper on before any more journeys further than the local shops!