1990 Lincoln Town Car leaking calipers

Hello Guy

Wow – sounds like you have been working hard………….

Leaking……..did you use a line wrench to torque?

If you have it nice and tight and the copper washers are in place, then it obviously isn’t seating right………..you shouldn’t have to use the tape (but good idea by the way).

Are there any burrs on the threads or any damage to them in any way?

If you don’t put the crush washer in does it still leak?

Hi ImpalaSS (my Aunt had a red one w/ a white
"ragtop", back in 1963 it was a 283 w/ a 4 speed)

Anyway ... I hadn't tried bolting it together w/o the
copper washers. There are no burrs or no damaged
threads on the bolts, I did noticed on the rebuilt calipers, that the threads inside were not "sharp"
i.e. the threads were somewhat worn, but not to
the point were the bolt is loose, however there's
apparently enough play to cause it to leak, that's
why I tried the teflon tape. Would something like
"Loc-Tite" help ?

Hi Guy

So your Aunt had one……..sweet……….does she still have it? Sounds like it was a really nice car….this it?

When they rebuilt them, they may not have re-cut the threads……thus, the leak.

I don’t think they would get loose or be loose though………I “think” they are shaped below so the more you tighten it automatically gets tighter……..

Well, I don’t think Loc-Tite would help since it is so thin unlike say, pipe putty, but it may take up enough room between the threads to stop it.

I had one a couple of years ago I had to take back and get a new, not rebuilt. I even had new brake hoses………it still had a small leak………so took back and got the new…….the other side worked fine.

My suggestion is to try it………..well, I would try it first w/o the crush washer…..I just don’t like any leaks on the old brakes though……

Now the crush washer doesn’t have a recess on one side does it????

Okay, not sure if I have helped……….if the threads are pulled……..you may need to get another set………….

Let me know what you do please………….

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Hi Guy Well that was dumb of me..........I didn't put the examples..........sorry.............. So your Aunt had one........sweet..........does she still have it? Sounds like it was a really nice car....this it?

When they rebuilt them, they may not have re-cut the threads......thus, the leak. I don't think they would get loose or be loose though.........I "think" they are shaped below so the more you tighten it automatically gets tighter........

Well, I don't think Loc-Tite would help since it is so thin unlike say, pipe putty, but it may take up enough room between the threads to stop it. I had one a couple of years ago I had to take back and get a new, not rebuilt. I even had new brake hoses.........it still had a small leak.........so took back and got the new.......the other side worked fine. My suggestion is to try it...........well, I would try it first w/o the crush washer.....I just don't like any leaks on the old brakes though...... Now the crush washer doesn't have a recess on one side does it???? Okay, not sure if I have helped..........if the threads are pulled........you may need to get another set............. Let me know what you do please............. Also, I realize this may have already been repaired, but you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

Thank you very much for the donation Please let us know if what the final fix was for your car so we can better assist others. Thanks! Find a car repair manual for your car repair questions.

That's a real beauty ...My Aunt's chevy was very similar. However she sold it years ago (1970)

I'll try not using the copper washers. There's no hole in either washer they both have concentic rings on both sides, as do both connection "Blocks" at the end of each hose.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Hello ImpalaSS

I tried removing the copper washers, and bolted the
assembly together, but no joy it still "weeps" brake
fluid.

Do you know of any type of sealant that is impervious to brake fluid? The teflon tape I wrapped around the threads was pretty much dissolved.

Is there another way of connecting the flex hose
to the caliper body w/o using that brass block?

Thanks
Guy

Hi Guy

Sorry so long to get back with you……having some computer problems.

I am not sure on this one. I am going to contact one of the other moderators to see what they think……they should be getting back with you/us shortly.

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Please let us know if what the final fix was for your car so we can better assist others. Thanks!


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ImpalaSS asked if I would take a peek at what you have here. We do this for each other 'cause no two people view a problem from the same direction. Did the calipers come with new copper washers, or no. Sometimes they don't and the crush washer is usually only good for one shot. Sometimes you can get lucky and the copper washer will seal a second time. but 50% of the time they will weep. I wouldn't risk my brakes on a bandaide repair like locktite or any pipe sealant. I would take one of the washers with you and buy some new ones. Get 4, they're cheap. Then reinstall the hoses on the calipers with new washers. Tighten the hoses into the calipers so they're fairly tight with a "tubing wrench". You need as solid a bite on the hase connector as you can get. Then, I feel like I'm baking a cake, then, set the calipers back on holders and with the tubing wrench still on the hose, give the wrench a little tap with a small hammer to tighten just a "snicker" more, about an 1/8th of a turn. The "snap" of the hammer helps seat the copper washer. You can take a brand new hose and new caliper, screw them together w/o the copper washer and there's an 80% chance they will leak. That's how improtant a "good" washer is. IF, this doesn't work you'll probably have to exchange the calipers and with new hoses, start from scratch. It always worked for me, hope it does for you.

Hello James, thanks for your response.
No I didn't get new copper washers in the rebuild kit.
I did notice the concentric rings on side of both washers were worn.

I will try that along with your sugsested tigtening method. The bolts are to be tightened to 20-30 ftlbs

I'll update this blog and let you know.

Thanks again

Guy

Your hot on the trail, dude. Torque specs are for sissy's. Keep us posted.