Servicing and Bleeding Brakes In this segment, the brakes on the 1962 Corvette are checked and serviced. Though the brakes on this car are in reasonably good shape, some routine evaluation and servicing is definitely called for. There is no more important system on any vehicle than the braking system. Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgraded kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select. Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Materials: Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
Power wrench
Brake-bleeding kit
Brake fluid
Brake spoon
Chassis spray-paint
Eye protection
Steps: - The early Corvettes have a coil spring that surrounds the brake drum on the front brakes (figure A). On the early model Corvettes, General Motors used this setup to help minimize the vibration that might be felt through the brake pedal while driving. If this spring is broken or missing, it should be replaced. In our case, the springs were in good shape and could be retained.
- With the wheel and tire removed, unbolt and remove the brake drum.
- Inspect the interior surface of the brake drum for wear or damage (figure B). On this drum a 45-degree bevel was incorporated into the design as an indicator of wear. Once the bevel has been worn or machined away, the drum is worn out. In our case, the bevel was still in good shape, indicating that the drum was still usable.
- The brake shoes are inspected and found to be somewhat worn, but not in need of replacement (figure C). The leading shoes have slightly more wear, but are still usable.
- The hydraulics of the braking system can be checked by peeling back the seal cups from the cylinder (figure D). The seal is simply a dust cover, so if there is brake fluid or moisture present, an internal leak is indicated.
- Our brake hydraulics are found to be in good shape, including the brake hoses that feed the cylinder (figure E). If hoses are worn, split or cracked, they should be replaced as part of brake service. On the vintage Corvette, if a brake hose fails the brakes will stop functioning.
- The next step is to bleed the brake system (figure F). This procedure should be done routinely -- about every two years -- because brake fluid picks up moisture from the atmosphere.
- When bleeding the brakes, start with the wheel that is furthest from the master cylinder -- in the case of the Corvette, this is the rear passenger side. Then move in sequence to the driver-side rear, the passenger-side front and finally the driver-side front.
Tip: You can purchase a brake-bleeding kit, or you can simply fashion your own using a clear plastic bottle and clear tubing. Using clear vinyl tubing in your brake-bleeding setup is helpful since it allows you to see the fluid and bubbles as they are pumped out of the system. Use a cigarette lighter to heat the end of the tubing slightly to make it easier to slip on the bleeder-valve connection. - Open the bleeder-valve at the rear of the brake, and attach the tubing to the valve. Insert the other end of the tubing into a clear bottle containing a small amount of fresh brake fluid. For convenience, you may want to fashion a hanger out of wire to hang the bottle and tubing from the tie-rod.
- With the bleeding kit hooked up, have an assistant pump the brakes gently as you watch the progress of the fluid draining through the tube. The trick is to pump the brakes gently and slowly -- all the way to the floor -- to avoid air being drawn into the system.
- Add new brake fluid (figure G) as your assistant continues pumping the brake pedal to circulate the fresh fluid through the system.
- At the bottom of a final down-stroke on the brake pedal, close off the bleeder valve (figure H).
- Repeat the steps, bleeding the cylinders on all four wheels.
- With the brake system bled, and new brake fluid added, the next step is to adjust the brake drums using a brake spoon. For each drum, insert a brake spoon into the slot at the rear of the wheel, and turning the spoon as you spin the wheel. The wheel should not spin entirely freely; instead, you want a slight amount of drag. Adjust as necessary until there is slight drag in the spin.
- For a final touch, give each of the re-installed brake drums a coat chassis spray-paint (figure I).
In the segment that follows, the exhaust system is replaced on the 1962 Corvette.
RESOURCES :
Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
Model: 0933534477
Author: Michael Antonick
Corvette: The American Legend
Model: 0785343741
Author: Consumer Guide Editors
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Brake Handbook
Model: 0895862328
Author: Fred Puhn
(1985)
Order this book from Amazon.com.
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