[s-cars] Couple things.....Outer Front CV Boot, Brake parts, brake tools....

[Brett Dikeman]

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 12:15 PM, Jim Fleischer <jim at almgt.com> wrote:

>  Mine have plenty of life left, but have a ridge at the top.  Can I grind that off to make r&r easier?

Another Peter Schulz Secret- a carbide scraper from Home Depot will
cut through the rust ridge like butter.

> Can anyone suggest any of the brake caliper retraction tools to make the job easier?

If you're in a pinch, most of the FLAPS and Sears sell cubes that will
fit almost any car.  Someone makes a fancy tool that does the job, but
I was distinctly unimpressed with the design and quality; I
accidentally bent the plate, and the threads on the tool were too
coarse.

  Small-ish needle-nose vise grips will do in an emergency if the
piston hasn't been beaten on too badly; I've seen ones that had looked
like someone took a die grinder to the top.  I heartily recommend
applying synthetic brake grease to the piston, piston seal/boot, seal
channel- next time, you'll almost be able to spin 'em by hand.  If you
mean the fronts- giant-ass channel lock pliers are your ticket.

I also recommend picking up a bolt that will screw into the guide pin,
chopping the head off, and putting it in an electric drill.  Sand away
any notches in the pin, then finish up with some marine-grade metal
polish.  That and some fresh grease in the guide pin holes will make
your calipers slide smooth as silk.  I've also successfully cleaned up
minor pitting on pistons via a similar method, though with more ginger
use of sandpaper.  Somewhere I have a picture of the before and after.

As for replacement OEM hoses- check with Mac, and tell him you want
the real stuff, not Worldpac (Who Knows Where.)  SJM will also know
what's what, as would Chris Semple.

Brett