Pearl blows a brake line - 72 450SL

[abiby]

Originally Posted by rowdie

No I don't. Just finished doing this and it sucks.

Any response I could make would just be cruel...

[meltedpanda]

haha , I have not even looked at the front yet , just the rear...

[nobby]

Originally Posted by abiby

A member on another forum noted that the rebuild kit for his calipres was almost the same as the price for rebuilt calipres, so that's the way I'd go.

That was me. I just assumed that calipers were more....probably are in Canada, anyways....but an MB rear caliper rebuild kit was $70 each.

[meltedpanda]

OK so I get the calipers and now realize why my rear brake lines looked different, it is because some PO used 2 different but compatible calipers, however in doing so bunged up the steel lines from the calipers to the flex hoses.. So now I am stuck wondering how it is suppose to look, that is the steel lines from the calipers to the flex hoses. I guess I could go from steel line to capliper with flex hose and bypass the small steel lines ?? Original is female female connection between steel line of MC and off caliper . grrrr
CAN anyone snap a picture of the left and right rear caliper set up , especially if its original
the story continues....or er ...saga.

[sjefke]

FYI, I had similar steel lines from caliper to flex hose in my old 1972 260C, but replacement rear calipers that I got could not take the steel lines anymore (geometric interference) and like your po I had to connect the flex lines to the calipers.

Bert

[meltedpanda]

oh, let me clarify , the steel lines were there to the flex hoses on the old set up , just bent in all different directions, these new calipers ( the right ones ) look to be able to have the steel lines as well < I am just trying to figure out the bend configuration

[meltedpanda]

OK , I am goign to bag the steel lines in the back , but now need to find male female end with bubble fittings to go betweem master cylidar line ( female) and then into caliper (male) , probably 12 inches in length, ideas

[meltedpanda]

so I am at at standstill I got a set of original reman calipers (ATE) and cannot for the life of me find a rubber flex hose that has on the male end ( that goes into the caliper ) a bubble flair . The caliper is set up for a bubble flair. The female end must mate to the steel line on the car, it is bubble flair as well

I cannot find an adapter

also the grommets on my master cyclinder are smaller than any kind I can find on the net. Got an email to Master Phil to see if he can help.

MBboy sent what we both thought were correct but they are too big . I am looking for ones that are 14mm tall, OD at part that goes into MC 17mm, ID around 8mm

I may not get this thing back together after all... Any advice for poor ol panda?

[rowdie]

Are you on a MAC or PC?

[meltedpanda]

PC

[rowdie]

Time to subscribe. Free you will have to give a credit card number to prove U.S. Residency.
EPC-net Online

I checked and it appears the rear hoses from a '84 380SL have the proper fittings. 12". The front for the same vehicle are male/female 17 1/2 inches.

The grommets are also listed.

Phil should be able to ascertain if one of the hoses will fit. Should also be able to get the grommets.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by rowdie

Time to subscribe. Free you will have to give a credit card number to prove U.S. Residency.
EPC-net Online

My epc membership ran out. A guy on the old MBCA forum set it up for me. I am in USA at present. Wonder if one of those fill-able credit cards from grocery store will work? No harm in trying, I guess!

[meltedpanda]

I have the EPC , but have trouble navigating it for some reason , I need a "how to guide" haha
I emailed Phil , keeping fingers crossed . If push comes to shove I could use the lines that work for the front on the back as well, just be long and may have to loop them. Dont know if that is good idea or not

[sjefke]

Have you considered making your own hard brake lines? Copper kits are out there and easy to bend.

So there is no flex hose that fits in your caliper? My usual trick is to spin the caliper on the hose first before I put the caliper back on the hub.

If you're still stuck later this week I'll got to the scrapyard and try to get the lines of that 350sl for you if they're still there.

Good luck,

Bert

[meltedpanda]

problem with all steel is that removing and servicing caliper requires you open the brake system. flex hose is needed somewhere in the set up. My hope was to avoid the use of small piece of metal line, but may have to , and yes I would have to get the stuff to make them. Thanks for your offer but since this is a total rebuild I am looking to place everything new.. I will keep you posted.