(wiggle) Playing hooky today so...
A quick & dirty on the remaining and usually easiest part of a brake install, the SS lines.
Front first...btw, top notch kit. I mean, just screams quality.
First thing with any SS kit is to test fit it. It's kinda like going to that awesome mall all the kids are talking about and laying that new Gucci shirt over yours to see if it fits. But unlike the mall, you get to keep the lines instead of walking out with that same busted t-shirt you got for free at the last car show. So just lay the new SS line along the path of the OEM rubber to be sure your kit is really YOUR kit. Wouldn't want to find out after you've already taken the OEM off and exposed the system to air.
A couple of things to note about this
Goodridge G-Stop kit before we move on.
The caliper side of the line will rotate freely until torqued down. That is so the the line can be installed without the entire body of it rotating as you tighten. The instructions want us to start with the caliper connectors but if you tighten those then the line won't move as freely as you work it up the path. So i started on the hard line side of it, making it easier to maneuver the line for the rest of the install.
Note the strut bracket mount in the picture. This can slide along the length of the line, allowing you to align it perfectly with the brake line bracket that's on the strut body. Where you position this will determine the bend/curve of the line. I tried a few different locations until i felt the line was not under any undue stress.
Locate where the hard line meets the rubber. The pic below should make for a decent reference. I like to remove the clip before unscrewing the nut. The clip can get in the way, messing with how well the wrench is seated on the nut. While incredibly important, these nuts happen to also be the biggest pieces of s**** on cars. So get a flathead screw driver in there and just twist & pull at the clip.
With the clip out, the line is free to move about the cabin. Give it squirt of your favorite penetrating spray (WD sucks) and make sure the line is in its bracket before trying to undo the nut. Notice the two opposing notches on the bracket. These prevent the line from twisting while you work the nut off. Before beginning, get a rag under the area to catch any brake fluid & have the new line out of its packaging and ready.
The Goodridge kit came with two brake line clips. The OEM ones won't work. Just slide the clip in the exact location you pulled the OEM one from, making sure it slides into the groove of the strut bracket mount. Here are the Goodridge clips vs. the stock ones.
And the front line in its new home augmenting the stupendous, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious powah of pink MS3 calipers!
Another angle to show the bend radius
Onto the rear. As you know by now, i didn't get the passenger side hard line off so i reverted the rears back to OEM. But i did pics of the side i completed. Just rinse and repeat.
Again, try that shirt on first!
sexy ass lines (boom03)
Removing the rear OEM clips happens much the same way as the front. Same exact rules apply so reread that if you still have doubts. A quick side note...notice the wheel laying on the floor under the van. I ALWAYS through my wheels under the vehicle. Should a jack stand fail, that 7.5" could mean the difference between life and death.
It makes even more sense in the rear to start with the hard line connection.
For some stoooopit reason they didn't include clips for the rear...but they were needed. The OEM could not provide enough pressure against the line and the bracket so the line wiggled. I bent it all kinds of ways but it never held tight enough for me. Luckily i've done enough of these to know to always order spare clips from RockAuto. ALWAYS (Dorman HW1457 Hydraulic Hose Clip). I was able to use two of them, facing in opposite directions, to secure the line rock solid.
As a side note, the caliper guide pins i got from RockAuto were the wrong ones. You may get something totally different from the clips i received. Buyer beware.
No review yet though! We're getting hit hard in NJ so i haven't taken her out much. All dressed up and no where to go
She's only gone 152 miles since i put her back down so I wanna wait until about 300 before i pass final judgement. I will say they are coming on strong. I'm excited (boobs)