Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: Masejoer on May 23, 2009, 10:25:34 AM

Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Masejoer on May 23, 2009, 10:25:34 AM
So I'm trying to mount 87-93 Mustang MM SS brake lines but both sides of my car need NAPA #7818 and the brake line brackets on the chassis do not work. I took a TC brake line to NAPA and their system pulled up different part numbers between the Mustand and Tbird lines but the fittings on both lines' hardline ends are the same, along with the mounting area where the line goes through the bracket. The replacement lines are a little too large to fit into the brake line brackets.

Should I just modify the brackets (don't think they can easily be removed from the car due to a nut on the backside that's impossible to get to)? No store that's open this weekend carries the brake hardline fittings so I can't re-flare the lines.

Also, why does NAPA not have steel pistoned Mark vii calipers! This weekend hasn't been going good so far! We haven't even gotten to the steering rack yet.
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Masejoer on May 24, 2009, 10:19:24 AM
Well we just used the adapters the ground away at the SS cables until they allowed us to get the cable through the bracket enough to get the clip on the other side of the bracket.

The mark vii brakes with ceramic pads work great on the stock MC - the pedal feel is much better than stock and I have much less effort needed to brale quicker. I have yet to test the locking of the brakes and hard braking with the stock proportioning but it doesn't seem to lockup the rear drums too soon as I thought it may. Overall, good upgrade besides the fact that NOBODY has steel pistoned lincoln calipers - my "91 mark vii" ones were only available around here with phenolic...

Lastly, the Moog 8600 springs have me lowered quite a bit - I'm already down below 1.5" on the driver side between the top of the tire and fender opening. For whatever reason, my passenger side sits up a lot higher than I should it would - 0.5" higher than the drivers at all times, both before and after the springs settled in. Doesn't this seem a little extreme of a difference with these new springs? I would expect <0.25" difference...
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: V8Demon on May 24, 2009, 03:25:55 PM
Quote
For whatever reason, my passenger side sits up a lot higher than I should it would - 0.5" higher than the drivers at all times, both before and after the springs settled in.

Common issue with Fox chassis cars, believe it or not,regardless of spring.

Quote
Overall, good upgrade besides the fact that NOBODY has steel pistoned lincoln calipers - my "91 mark vii" ones were only available around here with phenolic...

FWIW, the only place I've heard of issue with the phenolic ones is the intarwebz... I've seen a few worn sets with phenolic....they were wore in evenly...

If your DEAD set on steel though, hope this helps ;)

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/index.html?http&&&www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=&products_id=670

And the steel caliper sleeves....

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/index.html?http&&&www.maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=&products_id=666
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Masejoer on May 25, 2009, 02:49:51 AM
That still seemed a little excessive compared to the differences with the stock springs. Anyways, the car drove home fine and did 140.4 miles (google maps calculations, my speedometer is slightly off) with just under 4.3 gallons of gas with an average speed of 64mph (the highway speeds vary between 60 and 70 a few times). Not quite the 34.5 I got with the stock motor but I'm also still using the mechanical fan compared to then. Everything works great, including the much-improved brake feel.
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: V8Demon on May 25, 2009, 07:29:04 AM
So you're saying the difference from one side to the other increased then?

Mine evened out nicely after the spring swap.  A wee bit higher in the passenger front, but the back is DEAD even.
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Kitz Kat on May 25, 2009, 08:12:01 AM
Same problem here, except 1/2" on driver side is higher. I bought spring spacer for when I put the mach 1's in to cure that. I didn't get anywhere near 1.5 drop with 8600's. wish I would have then I wouldn't be doing it twice.
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Masejoer on May 25, 2009, 02:18:56 PM
It's 1.5" from the top of the wheel to the  opening in the fender. The actual drop is less but I forgot to take pre-install measurements so I have no idea how far it is actually down. I don't seem to be hitting standard parking curbs but it may be close. I have close clearance issues both up front and my tailpipes out back when pulling into a certain driveway - I know the tails will drag if I pull out just right...

Either way, I can work with it. Now to get that 3.55 rearend, rear discs and new control arms in, along with some additional fuel delivery/air metering up front and I'll be ready to move onto the upper engine bay paint, quad projector headlights, and the interior.
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Masejoer on May 25, 2009, 02:32:11 PM
I don't have any ride height pictures yet but here are some shots.

(http://home.comcast.net/~seekproj/susp_old.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~seekproj/susp_pass.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~seekproj/susp_driv.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~seekproj/newstrut.jpg)
Title: Mustang brake lines won't bolt up!
Post by: Cougar5.0 on May 25, 2009, 04:10:37 PM
Yeah, mine was higher on the passenger side before and after the Mach1 springs, so I used a 1/4" spring spacer on just the drivers side which evened it up nicely.