And yet another setback, Brakes again

[mnypitTR8]

First of all if I buy the rear brake kit from Vicky Brit what else do I need to completely do the rears??

OK Now look what happened. I keep getting closer, but something always comes up. I had a left rear wheel cylinder leaking. I noticed it when I swapped out the steel wheels to the TR8 wheels. So bought brake shoes(last ones I had that were soaked in brake fluid came apart). I bought wheel cylinder rebuild kits. I was hoping to get it on the road to sort out some more of the issues.

OK today I jack up the rear end, pull off the rear wheels and get started on the left. The drum came right off, no problems, I pulled out the springs took apart the shoes and adjusters etc and soaked them in some gas to get the brake fluid off. When I pulled off the brake line the wheel cylinder fell out, no clip holding it in. And wouldnt you know it, the housing was broken right in half. How does this happen?!?!?!?!?!

So I now have it in the middle of my 3 car garage and cant fit my other cars inside now. So now I decide to crimp off the rear brake line and bleed the fronts so I can move the car. I crawl up there and the brake line is deteriorated and soaked in brake fluid. So I crimp it at the top and procede to bleed the fronts. I get fluid out of the right front, and it seems ok, but then I go to the other side and cant get fluid at all. I bleed it at the prop valve and it seems fine. I think the damn front lines are shot too.

So should I stick another $500 into a car that I allready have way over its $500 value?? I havent even driven it yet, except around the block, so I dont have any idea if it will shift correctly, is the rear end any good, will the exhaust fall off in a week, are any of the bushings any good, etc etc. It still needs interior, top, tires, complete brakes, paint and body work, and who knows what else!!


John Peacock
It's not leaking, it's marking it's territory.
80 TR7, Brooklands Green, on its way to big power
98 Z28 LS1, marking its territory in many ways

[FI Spyder]

It could be the rubber brake flex lines. The rubber will swell with age restricting the inside diameter of the tubes causing poor braking performance. Maybe one has swollen closed.

Looks like this car leaves you with one of three options.

A. Rolling restoration. What you're doing now but be prepaired for constant surprises.

B. Total restoration. Strip everything down and rebuild part by part as required. Requires a strong constitution and patience but you will end up with a car that is better than it left the factory what with modern technology, upgrades, time spent as necessary to do the job right.

C. Use as a parts car and get a better example to do a rolling restoration.

I opted ultimately for the last by paying $4,000 for a rust free car that had been stored for 6 years in a garage in the dessert. While it needed all rubber parts replaced the clutch and brakes don't leak as yet although they are at least 8 years old. (Check with me when I do bleeds in a bit). I am over $7,000 in parts and aquition costs it is on an original Solihull Californian car of which only 50 to 70 where built (true I'm splitting a few hairs).

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Workshop Help]

Mr Peacock,

It has been the experience of many in the old car groups that the true value of a car is never what the NADA/Kelly/used car price guides would have it. This is particularly true of British sports cars like the TR7. All you can be assured of is that once all the deterioration and wear & tear problems have been resolved, you will be more than enthralled with the final result.

Much like the adage about British cars and motorcycles, 'It's the journey, not the destination that counts', your journey thru the ravages of time, deferred maintenance, wear, rust, buggered up prior fixes, and all the rest of the restoration maze are merely part and parcel for the course. And, it's a maze we have or are staggering thru.

A TR7 will never have the glittering patina of 'high value'. It will never grace the auction ramp of Barrett-Jackson. The true value of the TR7 is best found in the hearts of those few who have mastered it's character. Therein lies the nature of yours and our journey in the land of the TR7.

Mildred Hargis

[mnypitTR8]

Thanks guys. I guess I am just complaining again. I am going to continue. For the $7000 you have in yours, I think I could have a pretty nice car, almost rebuilt from top to bottom. The car itself is really not that bad, It just frustrates me when I think I am going to be driving today and find yet another issue. Then I gotta wait for another order to arrive.

I was looking at all the rubber hoses, and seals in the master cylinder and it appears somone may have put something other than brake fluid in it. All the seals and lines are swelled up. So I am buying both the rear and front brake kit from Vick Brit, as well as a new rear brake line and master cylinder rebuild kit. I have 2, so lets hope one of them is rebuildable.

Then to ad insult to injury, I am working on it on a nice, clear, not to hot, not too cold day, got the t-tops out of the Z28(never put them in), sunroof open on the Saab(remember I had to put them out of the garage to work on the TR7), and I am sitting here surfing the net and I look outside and there is a downpour outside. Both cars are soaked, inside and out. Then I cant remember where I stored the T-tops because I never put them in, I cant get it in the garage because of where the TR7 is positioned, so I am draging tarps out to cover it. I finally get it waterproofed and it stops raining.

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

John Peacock
It's not leaking, it's marking it's territory.
80 TR7, Brooklands Green, on its way to big power
98 Z28 LS1, marking its territory in many ways

[tr8]

John

Sounds like another crappy day in paradise.....do you want some snow?

Paul

[mnypitTR8]

No thanks you can keep the snow. BUT at least if I lived there I would have never left my cars open.

John Peacock
It's not leaking, it's marking it's territory.
80 TR7, Brooklands Green, on its way to big power
98 Z28 LS1, marking its territory in many ways

[bmcecosse]

You are lucky - not too hot etc!!! It's freezing cold and raining miserably here is Ecosseland!! And they say a 'cold spell' is coming.
Your brakes are normal for a neglected car - and someone may have put silicone fluid in the brakes which destroys old seals. It can only be used with all NEW seals and flexi hoses. Good news is - brakes are cheap and easy to fix. Get a brake pipe tool and make all new pipes from Kunifer pipe, and new flexi pipes cost very little - and fit new rear cylinders (dead cheap - not worth fitting seals) - however it is worthwhile fitting new seals on the disc calipers. Probably best to fit a new master cylinder unless you fell competent enough to re-seal it correctly. When finished - the brakes will all be NEW and no more worries for a few miles!

[mnypitTR8]

Yep, thats the plan. I ordered all new cylinders, all new hoses, seal kits for the front calipers and master cylinder, a dingle berry hone for the master, a new clutch master, a new air filter, new cap and rotor, new wires, and who knows what else. my hardware and tensioners look good so I just did the basics. It just sucks that I have to wait for them to come in. It is supposed to freeze tonight, tomorrow and the next night, and both my other cars are stuck outside, and with wet interiors.

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, BE SAFE. Remember, the seasoned drunks stay home on New Years because they dont want to get into an accident with an amatuer.

John Peacock
It's not leaking, it's marking it's territory.
80 TR7, Brooklands Green, on its way to big power
98 Z28 LS1, marking its territory in many ways

[bmcecosse]

Can you not slide the TR sideways in the garage - using a trolley jack - to make room for the others?

[mnypitTR8]

No, not with my jack. It has to go too far over in the garage, and I have too much junk in the way. I did put the wheel back on and drove it somewhat out of the way, so I can get one car in at least. No big deal, though. The wife's Saab can stay out for a few more days. I also found my t-tops in my attic.

Now just have to wait for the parts to arrive. BPNW allready sent a tracking number.

John Peacock
It's not leaking, it's marking it's territory.
80 TR7, Brooklands Green, on its way to big power
98 Z28 LS1, marking its territory in many ways