Front brake lines

[abaddonxi]

Started in to replace front wheel bearings on the Defender.

Got as far as releasing the brake line and ran into the thingy that keeps the brake line in place. Can't just be loosened and slipped away, have to remove 2x 17mm bolts. The back one is so surrounded by brake line and little bits of metal that I can't get to it and it's so tight that I don't want to got at it with an open ended spanner.

I remember someone came up against this a week or so ago, but can't find the thread again.

I could take the brake line off the bottom of the caliper, but I'd like to know how other folks get it done?

A standard socket is too large for the gap, as is a closed end spanner. I'm thinking a tube socket might do the trick?

Getting mildly tense at this point, and not keen to go at it again without either a solution or a new brake line.:D

Cheers
Simon

[JDNSW]

Started in to replace front wheel bearings on the Defender.

Got as far as releasing the brake line and ran into the thingy that keeps the brake line in place. Can't just be loosened and slipped away, have to remove 2x 17mm bolts. The back one is so surrounded by brake line and little bits of metal that I can't get to it and it's so tight that I don't want to got at it with an open ended spanner.

I remember someone came up against this a week or so ago, but can't find the thread again.

I could take the brake line off the bottom of the caliper, but I'd like to know how other folks get it done?

A standard socket is too large for the gap, as is a closed end spanner. I'm thinking a tube socket might do the trick?

Getting mildly tense at this point, and not keen to go at it again without either a solution or a new brake line.:D

Cheers
Simon

Assuming the setup is the same as on the County (surprised if it isn't), I think you are talking about the bracket that holds the join between the brake hose and the rigid brake line on the caliper. This being the case, it sounds like you are planning to undo the two bolts holding this onto the top swivel pin, and incidentally holding the swivel pin. There should be no need to do this - the hole through the bracket is slotted if I remember rightly (it is possible someone has improved it since manufacture, and in this case, I would be improving it if it were mine. I just looked at the manual, and it is shown unslotted). I think the intention is that you disconnect the brake line, but I presume that like everyone else, you want to leave it connected to avoid having to bleed them.

John

[rangieman]

Assuming the setup is the same as on the County (surprised if it isn't), I think you are talking about the bracket that holds the join between the brake hose and the rigid brake line on the caliper. This being the case, it sounds like you are planning to undo the two bolts holding this onto the top swivel pin, and incidentally holding the swivel pin. There should be no need to do this - the hole through the bracket is slotted if I remember rightly (it is possible someone has improved it since manufacture, and in this case, I would be improving it if it were mine. I just looked at the manual, and it is shown unslotted). I think the intention is that you disconnect the brake line, but I presume that like everyone else, you want to leave it connected to avoid having to bleed them.

John
yep they are unslotted when i did my front wheel bearings i removed the brake lines then the bracket i then hack sawed the bracket so if i ever do it again its easy to remove with out having to bleed the brakes again

[Bushie]

The bracket on a Defender isn't slotted (or at least not on mine '98) After doing one side by detaching the brake line and then having to bleed, the brackets became slotted.

Mind you bleeding the brakes is not such a bad thing, at least it changes/flushes some of the fluid. Its also fairly painless with a pressure bleeder.


Martyn

[abaddonxi]

Assuming the setup is the same as on the County (surprised if it isn't), I think you are talking about the bracket that holds the join between the brake hose and the rigid brake line on the caliper. This being the case, it sounds like you are planning to undo the two bolts holding this onto the top swivel pin, and incidentally holding the swivel pin. There should be no need to do this - the hole through the bracket is slotted if I remember rightly (it is possible someone has improved it since manufacture, and in this case, I would be improving it if it were mine. I just looked at the manual, and it is shown unslotted). I think the intention is that you disconnect the brake line, but I presume that like everyone else, you want to leave it connected to avoid having to bleed them.

John

Thanks JD, exactly right, you're a model of clarity.

And thanks for the other replies.

Yep, unslotted, planned to make it slotted as soon as possible.

Just bled the brakes very thoroughly a week ago, so wanted to avoid doing it again if there was an easier possibility.

What happens if I undo the bolts holding the swivel pin?

Cheers
Simon

[rangieman]

put a jack under the swivel to stop it dropping :D once you undo them two bolts it wil drop and leak oil every where unless you have a jack there

[Utemad]

If it is the same as my 1994 D1 then you can do the bearings without disconnecting the brake lines. It is a stretch but is possible.

[abaddonxi]

The Defender is the only car we have at the moment, and Karcraft is twenty minutes drive away, so anything I do wants to fixable on the spot.

So, really don't want to damage the brakes lines along the way. I think I'll take it off and bleed the brakes again.

Cheers
Simon.

[Utemad]

The Defender is the only car we have at the moment, and Karcraft is twenty minutes drive away, so anything I do wants to fixable on the spot.

I converted my wheel bearings to oil lubed in the carpark at work which is 2 hours from home with not any real other way of getting home than my Disco. That is when I found out you can do it without undoing the brake lines.
Nearest Landy parts are 30mins drive away from work.

Take a chance...........................but if it goes pear shaped then it has nothing to do with me :o:D