Ok, so in my ongoing brake job (Brake job) I decided to replace the front brake calipers (and the replaceable brake lines) and proceded to remove them.

The first thing I noticed in my "pre-job inspection" was that the heads for the "pin" bolts were of different sizes. Picture of pins

[image]http://www.flickr.com/photos/28311612@N03/2952068996/[/image]

Also, the feed lines (the metal ones) were different...the break line on the passenger side (with the larger "pin" bolt heads) was in great shape, while the line on the driver's side was nearly rusted through...almost as if the one side had been worked on.


So I removed the calipers on the passenger side first, finding they were literally frozen to the rotor. (I had to remove them with the non-business end of an axe.) Judging by the cobwebs and spider nests up in there those brakes hadn't been used for some time!
Passenger side caliper view 1
Passenger side caliper view 2
Rusty rotor

The drivers' side brakes were MUCH harder to remove...mostly having to do with the brake hose refusing to come loose from the mounting.

And that's what my main problem is...I can't for the life of me get the brake line to come away from the mount!

Look at these:

Brake hose, line nut and mounting view 1
Brake hose, line nut and mounting view 2
Bake hose, line nut and mounting view 3

I used a crescent wrench, and when that slipped, I resorted to vice grips, but that thing will NOT come out of the bracket it is stuck in!

Is the brake line supposed to come out of the mounting? The mount on the other side had no problems letting go of the brake line & the brake hose, when I undid the fitting they just slipped out of the mount... but this one looks like it's riveted in!

HELP!

Remove the clip, see that piece sticking up grab it with a plier and pull it off.

The retaining clip will not slide out with a chisel? Use a little wd or other oil.

It looks to me like the clip on the hard line side of the bracket is still on there.
You should be able to knock it off with a
small pair of pliers and a hammer.
Be careful and try to save the clip if possible.

(Konks self upside head)

Yes, you're right. The retaining clip.

Thanks to all who replied, and if I may, one more question...is it hard to find these? Because the passenger side is missing it's retaining clip....

BTW, another question...when I pulled the calipers off, I noticed that the brakes were completely seized on the rotors.

If you hold the caliper (after removal) should the piston move? I mean, can you move it at all, by pressing it or something?

Because these things weren't budging, period.

I usualy colapse pistons with a big c-clamp
leave a pad on it or you could wreck it
The clip should be available from
any parts house.