Help! Almost done with disc conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jakes-66-K10 · 10-16-2005, 09:28 PM

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...

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.

walker · 10-16-2005, 11:17 PM

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.

krue · 10-16-2005, 11:40 PM

Napa should have them.

chevymad · 10-16-2005, 11:52 PM

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.

cableguy0 · 10-17-2005, 01:38 AM

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

c10chevy69 · 10-18-2005, 01:36 AM

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

10-16-2005, 09:28 PM	#1
Jakes-66-K10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 640	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... 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.

10-16-2005, 11:17 PM	#2
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	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. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

10-16-2005, 11:40 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion Napa should have them. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-16-2005, 11:52 PM	#4
chevymad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: skamokawa, WA, USA Posts: 527	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. __________________ 70 C10 long fleet, 355/200 4r, 6 lug disc conversion, 3" drop 70 gmc changed to 67/8 chevy, 454 with voodoo cam, th400, all 74 running gear.. in progress

10-17-2005, 01:38 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	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 __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

10-18-2005, 01:36 AM	#6
c10chevy69 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 205	Re: Help! Almost done with disc conversion I got my banjo bolts from Autozone they had them in a tray behind the counter. __________________ 1969 chevy C10 long bed 350 4bbl auto p/disc and 5 lug



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