Disk Brake Conversion Front Brake Hose Too Short I'm converting a 68 Skylark to a disk brakes off a 69 GS. I didn't get the disk brake hose brackets for the frame. I converted one of the drum brake brackets and bolted up the hose and when the suspension is fully extended with the wheel turned all the way the brake hose is as tight as a guitar string! I ended up putting on hoses from a 72 Electra. They're slightly longer and use the drum brake frame brackets. The only problem is the banjo fitting is about an 1/8" thinner than the correct hose which I took up by using an extra brass washer on each side it. This keeps the banjo bolt from bottoming in the caliper. Has anyone else seen this problem or know of a better brake hose to use?
Hi Doug, I was talking to Mark Polastry who plays with the 64 thru 67 cars and he mentioned this problem with the new hoses being about 1.5" short of the old ones. So its probably not disc brake specific- the suppliers figured if they can cut 10% of the hose they can save a couple bucks
An 1-1/2" short is exactly right. I was going to cut the tab off the frame bracket and weld it to the bottom but it still would have been a little tight. The hose I used is 3" longer (1-1/2" longer than it needs to be) and with the suspension fully extended and wheels turned all the was it does barely touch the lower control arm. The hose has an extra piece of insulation around it where it touches so I'm not too worried about it.
Just a quick thought, make sure that you have the calipers on the correct sides, I bought a car that had them reversed and the one of the brake hoses was very tight due to the caliper being upside down.
