Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

Well, I pretty much just had to bleed the brakes to finish this project, and was getting excited to start driving the truck again. I started bleeding the other night, and found the two front calipers were leaking badly around the banjo bolts, the rear drum brakes were bleeding OK. So I grabbed a long wrench and tightened up the banjo bolt *real* tight. Still leaking, and to make matters worse I stripped threads on the bolt! Grrr...

So I did some calling around and can't find anyone that has any of these bolts? That suprised me, if Autozone and Checkers carries calipers you would think that they would carry the banjo bolts. I need some help how to get a new one, can't even see any vendors that have them, or the copper washers... :confused:

Another odd thing I noticed after taking out this damaged bolt, was that the brake hoses are labeled LH and RH. As it stands right now, I have them hooked up backwards (LH hose on right caliper). I hooked them up mimicking another vehicle, so I didn't think it mattered left or right. Is this part of why it was leaking as well? I thought it was just the copper washers weren't seated all the way, that's why I tightened the bolt so much. I guess I really need to learn how to properly hook everything up. Do you have to line up the hole in the banjo bolt with the hole in the brake hose as well? In all the reading I had done prior to starting this conversion, I don't remember reading anywhere about proper brake hose/caliper assembly.

This is on a 1972 CST/20 2wd, using 72 front end parts. I think the 72 had the brake hose mount towards the front of the crossmember, my stock 70 crossmember has them at the back, behind the A arms - this is why I have my hoses installed at opposite locations.

Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

It doesn't matter which hose goes r/l so long as they fit in the little bravkets on the crossmember. Do you have two copper washers per banjo bolt (one on top and one on bottom)? Try the dealers for the banjo bolt, or one of the board vendors. If you have no luck with that, then there is a place here called Arizona Brake and Clutch, if they don't have it, it is not available. Also, wrecking yards are great places froodd stuff like that, might be sure to try NAPA too.

Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

:agree: Napa should have them.

Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

Did you use the copper washers that came with the hoses? I've noticed the last couple years now that the washers they send with the hoses don't work. They're not only sized a bit different but they're thinner then the originals. I have better luck reusing the old ones then using the new ones.

Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

so long as the hoses are fitting right on the caliper side you should be fine. the banjo bolt should be in any auto parts store in the help section. the inside of the end of the brake hose if cut out it doesnt matter where the hole ends up on the banjo bolt. the copper washers should also be in the help section

Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion
 

I got my banjo bolts from Autozone they had them in a tray behind the counter.