Time to Rebuild the Brakes

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   I had a chance to get back out to the garage today and assemble the passenger side front brakes.  I did not put the new brake hose on yet and left the plug in the back of the wheel cylinder to keep moisture and dirt out.  Once I get both sides of the front brakes done and the new front brake lines run, I will install the new hoses, check for leaks, and bleed the system.

Edited by flejl - Jan/14/2026 at 8:40pm

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flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/14/2026 at 3:02pm
	I had a chance to get back out to the garage today and assemble the passenger side front brakes. I did not put the new brake hose on yet and left the plug in the back of the wheel cylinder to keep moisture and dirt out. Once I get both sides of the front brakes done and the new front brake lines run, I will install the new hoses, check for leaks, and bleed the system. Edited by flejl - Jan/14/2026 at 8:40pm

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/18/2026 at 3:12pm
	Over the past few days I had some more time and removed all of the parts on the driver side front brake, wire brushed and cleaned the backing plate, then yesterday I put a coat of black semigloss paint on the backing plate for corrosion protection. While I was out there, I fired the engine up just to hear it run a few minutes and help keep the motivation up.

390X2seater Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote 390X2seater Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/18/2026 at 3:35pm
	I did the same as you, as soon as my motor was installed in my car. I would start it up and that would give me hours and hours of motivation. I did the whole brake thing, as you are, on my AMX, looks like you're doing a great job keep it up and pics....
	70 390 4spd AMX 2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/19/2026 at 2:49pm
	Today it was really cold outside, so the wife did not want to go anywhere, so that gave me some time to put the new wheel cylinder, brakes shows and hardware on.

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/21/2026 at 4:15pm
	Yesterday I cleaned up the passenger side front brake drum with a wire brush on the outside and some 120-grit sandpaper on the inside. The inner surface on the front drums are in good shape and just needed some light surface rust removed, at least so I can finish up the brakes, move the car around under power, and stop. Today I warmed up the garage a bit with an electric heater and then put several coats of VHT black High Temp Caliper Paint on the outside surface. Once the paint was dry to the touch I moved them to the basement since the can states it will take 7 days to cure. While waiting for the paint to cure on the passenger side drum I will do the same to the driver side drum. Normally I would not spend the time painting brake drums, but the brand new and shiny black rear drums made me think I should at least make the old front ones look a bit better as well.

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/26/2026 at 6:02pm
	After digging out from the snow today I had some time to put the passenger side front brake drum back on the car. One important thing to note about VHT black High Temp Caliper Paint, it needs to be baked at 200 degrees for one hour after the paint dries, fortunately, the wife let me use her oven to do this.

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/09/2026 at 5:25pm
	I have been slowly moving along. The driver side drum has been painted with VHT High Temp Caliper Paint, baked in the oven at 200 degrees for one hour, and installed back on the car. Picture of how I "cooked" the brake drum in the oven. Painted drum back on the driver side I also ran the brake hard line from the passenger side front drum to the pressure switch and the line from the pressure switch across the firewall to the T that connects to the driver side and master cylinder. Two more hard lines to do, then install the brakes hoses that go to each front wheel cylinder, check for leaks, and bleed the brakes. Still going slow and steady. Edited by flejl - Feb/09/2026 at 5:29pm

390X2seater Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote 390X2seater Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/09/2026 at 7:25pm
	Nice....
	70 390 4spd AMX 2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/13/2026 at 1:23pm
	In the past fw days I had time to finish the last two brake lines, install the brake hoses from the hardlines to the front wheel cylinders, and do a quick check for leaks at the new fittings. Late this morning I put the wheels on and lowered the car to the ground; this is the first time in several months it has been on four wheels. I still need to bleed and adjust the brakes, plus finish up installing the remainder of the new parts for the emergency brake.

flejl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531	Post Options Post Reply Quote flejl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/18/2026 at 1:36pm
	I did a few small things not worth mentioning on the car while it was on the ground. Now it's back up on the jack stands so I can get ready to bleed and adjust the brakes. I am hoping to finish this up this week, but we have allot going on this week so this may be all of the time I have to work on it until next week. Edited by flejl - Feb/18/2026 at 1:39pm