Anyway, I have a question about my car's rear brakes. First, over the last 3 weeks or so I've been topping off the master cylinder (Series V) with DOT 5 silicone fluid. Needless to say, this was getting quite expensive, especially after I learned subsequently that I only needed Castrol GTLMA (DOT 3 and 4) which costs about 2/3 less. I ordered and received a new wheel cylinder from Sunbeam Specialties and have since tried to install it in the backing plate. It went ok, but I noticed that the new wheel cylinder has a machined slot on top of the piston to receive, I assume, the end of the brake shoe where the emergency brake lever attaches. This is different from the wheel cylinder I removed. So, I tried to refit the brake lines with no luck. I don't know if I cross threaded the line which goes over to the left brake, but I don't think so. But, regardless, it leaked like Ken Starr's office, so I pinched off the flexible hose and let it sit for three days. It was either that, or open my big box of big hammers to finish the job. (When I get frustrated, I've found I need at least a 3-day cooling off period: the Brady bill of auto repair.)
Well, I got to thinking while cooling off, and I haven't been able to shake the question: Why is the braking system routed THROUGH the right brake to the left brake? It seems there should have been a T connection going to both rears. Hmmm.
Last evening I decided to change the configuration and set out to the Western Auto/Parts America down the street (WAY down the street). They had bunches of brass fittings,etc. but the only T fitting had very shallow receptacles, and were meant to receive "American" or double flared line ends. These guys have been pretty helpful so far, but listen to this: Two of the fellas working there recommended I use compression fittings. "It'll be fine." I politely declined, thinking that the first time I stomp on those compressionly fitted brake lines that they'd pop like a teenager's zit, and drove over to the new Auto Zone. No luck. They had about half their stock in from "the home office." Drove to an Old Auto Zone. Still no luck. I was told there that "they don't make those parts." Whoever "they" is. Then I drove even farther (I should have been making these trips in the Alpine, as it was a beautiful night, but did I mention I have no rear brakes?) to a Pep Boys. There was actually a very knowledgable, albeit, non-peppy "parts technician" working who is in his 2nd year of automotive tech training at our local community college. This kid really knew his stuff, and gave me all kinds of suggestions of how to use that T (they sold the same type I saw before) by cutting and reflaring a "British" brake line with its bubble flare ends and using a "U.S." fitting on the other end to connect to the T.
Actually, after discerning what an idiot I am in this arena, he suggested I have the lines made by a reputable NAPA store even farther down the street. But, I'm a hands-on kind of guy, I told him. He rolled his eyes, which is not good for customer relations, I think.
But, I was now equipped and confident that I could do the job. So I took a handful of brake lines, a bending tool, and a rented flaring tool home, dinked around for an hour or so, gently bending and measuring. I finally determined where to cut and reflare the line. I opened the flaring tool (it was now 9:01pm and all the parts stores close at... you guessed it.), read the directions, filed a chamfer around the cut end, was ready to insert the 3/16" die into the prepared tube, and....
someone had swiped the 3/16" die.
Sigh.
And I can't even work on it again until Sunday.
This whole situation makes me wonder if I made the right choice buying the car in the first place as it just sits there taunting me...
Have you ever heard of the country song: "I'm so miserable with you gone, it's almost like having you here."?
Paul