Brakes How to swap rear soft line

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 13, 2023

#1

• Mar 13, 2023

• #1

87 5.0 notch, stock brakes.

I pulled the MC, cleaned the proportioning valve, installed Russel braided lines with new calipers/pads up front, but can’t figure out the best way to access the rear flexible line to replace it. I’ve struggled with several of the flange nuts on the MC and calipers, so I don’t expect the rears to be any different. Any suggestions? I’ve read I’ll need to modify the bracket as well, but again, nothing is easy to access on top of the pumpkin.

Also, I’d like to replace the flange nuts on the MC as one was already rounded off before I started. I ordered a kit from Amazon, due today. I’ll need to cut the end off the tubing to install the new nuts, should have plenty of length. Will a single or double flare work? They look like bubble flares stock.

Thanks for your help!

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 13, 2023

#2

• Mar 13, 2023

• #2

I removed the rear soft line, bracket, and both hard lines on the rear end as one piece and worked on it out from under the car.

Hopefully you have line wrenches?

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 13, 2023

#3

• Mar 13, 2023

• #3

That’s the kind of advice I need! Thank you.

I’ve been working without them, but definitely see the value after two days. One nut was already rounded, and all are rusty. I’ll pickup a good set. Any recommendations? SAE, right?

 

Last edited: Mar 13, 2023

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 13, 2023

#4

• Mar 13, 2023

• #4

Get SAE and Metric both. I have Craftsman as I do not wrench for a living so I would think that Kobalt or even a set from Harbor Freight or the like would work just fine.

Soak the connections with something like PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench or any penetrating solvent and let it sit over night.

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 13, 2023

#5

• Mar 13, 2023

• #5

Sprayed everything with PB this past weekend. Ordering Craftsman as I’ve read the cheap sets are worthless. Thanks again!

 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member

Sep 26, 2017

2,534

714

143

Roy, Utah

Mar 14, 2023

#6

• Mar 14, 2023

• #6

The flare nuts should be metric on the brake lines

 

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!

5 Year Member

Jul 16, 2019

630

352

83

Lexington, KY

Mar 18, 2023

#7

• Mar 18, 2023

• #7

John Birone said:

87 5.0 notch, stock brakes.

I pulled the MC, cleaned the proportioning valve, installed Russel braided lines with new calipers/pads up front, but can’t figure out the best way to access the rear flexible line to replace it. I’ve struggled with several of the flange nuts on the MC and calipers, so I don’t expect the rears to be any different. Any suggestions? I’ve read I’ll need to modify the bracket as well, but again, nothing is easy to access on top of the pumpkin.

Also, I’d like to replace the flange nuts on the MC as one was already rounded off before I started. I ordered a kit from Amazon, due today. I’ll need to cut the end off the tubing to install the new nuts, should have plenty of length. Will a single or double flare work? They look like bubble flares stock.

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

I had to replace a hard line on the passenger side of my ‘86. While I was at it, I replaced the flex line with a SS line. It’s not overly easy, but I was able to do it without much drama.

Bill

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 18, 2023

#8

• Mar 18, 2023

• #8

I’m a good way into it. Took the proportioning valve off to remove the rest of the lines, loosened everything up front, got the backs off and the new lines have been straightened with the front left in and the rears loosely together. Modified the rear mounting bracket for the new soft SS line. About to go pull front right and rear from engine bay and start feeding the new lines through. Working front to back. Hoping to finish tomorrow!

 

Reactions: General karthief

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 23, 2023

#9

• Mar 23, 2023

• #9

All hard and soft lines are in, MC and proportioning valve need to be prepped and installed.

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 23, 2023

#10

• Mar 23, 2023

• #10

View attachment 708445
How does this look to everyone? I ended up replacing everything else, aside from the stock brake booster and rotors (just a few thousand miles on the rotors). I don’t want this distribution block/proportioning valve to be an issue. Thanks as always!

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 23, 2023

#11

• Mar 23, 2023

• #11

Cannot view the picture for some reason.

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 23, 2023

#12

• Mar 23, 2023

• #12

How about this one?

 

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AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 23, 2023

#13

• Mar 23, 2023

• #13

I can see that one.

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 23, 2023

#14

• Mar 23, 2023

• #14

Do you see any issues with it? I found no clogs or buildup and the rubber plunger is whole and pliable. Seems fine to me, but would love confirmation.

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 23, 2023

#15

• Mar 23, 2023

• #15

Other than being dirty (at least I think I’m seeing crud) it seems complete but what does the nut on the left side go to? I am looking at a diagram of the combination valve and that nut appears to be for the shuttle portion of the valve assembly. Regardless go here and they break it down really well and also offer a soft goods rebuild kit.

1987 - 1993 Ford Mustang Brake Pressure Control Valve Rebuild | Muscle Car Research LLC

www.musclecarresearch.com

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

8,859

214

In the garage

Mar 23, 2023

#16

• Mar 23, 2023

• #16

I've found using crows foot sockets like these are handy to get in those tight and hard to reach places and get some leverage. Saved my bacon many times on rounded off fittings

Amazon product ASIN B01N3OXH1I

 

Reactions: John Birone

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 23, 2023

#17

• Mar 23, 2023

• #17

AeroCoupe said:

Other than being dirty (at least I think I’m seeing crud) it seems complete but what does the nut on the left side go to? I am looking at a diagram of the combination valve and that nut appears to be for the shuttle portion of the valve assembly. Regardless go here and they break it down really well and also offer a soft goods rebuild kit.

1987 - 1993 Ford Mustang Brake Pressure Control Valve Rebuild | Muscle Car Research LLC

www.musclecarresearch.com

Click to expand...

Thanks, great resource. I ordered the kit, but no way it will be here this weekend. I’ll put it together with the original parts, but I’ll have the replacements if there’ll a leak I can’t stop.

Yes, that bolt on the left is for the shuttle portion. I didn’t see the piston on that side, or remove it. That has me a bit worried. I’ll take a closer look tomorrow.

Thanks again!

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 24, 2023

#18

• Mar 24, 2023

• #18

Checked everything out and my proportioning valve is missing. That’s the shuttle valve in my pic. Seems the cops gutted the thing but left the rest of the brake system stock. That can’t be good!

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,882

4,006

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 24, 2023

#19

• Mar 24, 2023

• #19

So in the link I sent you the second picture is the shuttle valve and the third is the proportioning valve. With the pic you posed I would say the shuttle portion of your combination valve is missing?

 

John Birone

15 Year Member

Nov 19, 2012

57

11

18

Raleigh, NC

Mar 24, 2023

#20

• Mar 24, 2023

• #20

According to that description, you are correct. I was provided the attached diagram, which has them labeled the opposite. Either way, I’m missing the valve with the smaller plug, and I believe that feeds the rear brakes. Guess I’ve always had mis-proportioned brakes?