12-18-2014, 10:00 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
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Exciting day!
I took the coupe out to go to a friend's and while the engine ran very well, the steering was loose and the brakes went further down to the floor than ever before! Both problems required immediate attention. When I got home I jacked it up and began investigating.
First the steering! This my fault, I bought a new Pitman arm (short) and I used a 3/8 clamping bolt. This is a no no! The correct bolt is a 7/16-14 Grade 8 (14 or 20 TPI ?) Guess what! almost no play in the steering wheel when properly tightened. The 3/8 grade 5 bolt was distorting in some way (it took months) to loosen itself. But it did loosen. I had to file a step in the head to fit the locking step, of the new bolt. That done, I went after the brake problems. I have an hydraulic system (Not installed by me) and I replaced the master cyl. (single) with a dual cyl. It's a good thing I did! The fitting on the rear worked it's way loose (?) a leaked out all the fluid in the rear circuit. The worst part is that it's odd tee ( 2 female and 1 male. 1 fem. 1/8 npt and one male 1/8 npt, 1 fem. 3/8 - 24) and three visits to local AP stores good not produce any replacements. I'm posting this to give a little info. on the "Other side" of the hyd. vs Mech. brake question. I haven't driven a car with mechanicals yet, but from all reports, they are just as good as a Hyd. system. I have a suspicion that my problems are from misidentifying the threads in the MC as 1/8 npt and they might be 3/8 - 24 nf. I will find out today. Terry |
12-18-2014, 08:47 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
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Re: Exciting day!
For those contemplating putting a Hyd. Brake system in their cars, be sure of the thread size. I goofed! I thought the the threads were 1/8-27 NPT and it turned out to be 3/8-24. You can mesh a 27 pitch into a 24 pitch, especially if there's a slight difference in the Diameter. What made it more exciting was the hills around here. I first found out I had a problem at the bottom of one of those hills with the pedal 1/2" off the floor and it was still moving. All the while , the steering felt looser than I remember it. Kinda unnerving!
Terry |
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12-18-2014, 10:40 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
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Re: Exciting day!
Terry, I'm glad that the steering is working out good !!! I know it was giving you a hard time for a while with the worm gear installatron.
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12-19-2014, 09:00 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
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Re: Exciting day!
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Terry |
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