Quick repair before big show with Bob Gale - Parts questions from Brett

[bcarreras]

Hi, Everyone!

I am trying to get my DMC running for the big VA Comicon next weekend with Bob Gale (We will have 4 DMCs!).

My local mechanic told me I need the following parts, but it looks like some of them are out of stock, etc.

I am NOT a mechanic genius. Can any of you tell me which parts I will need to order to make this repair happen?

Also, it looks like there are a bunch of caliper options (a recondition?) I would love to know your expert(s) opinions on which parts I should order to make the impossible happen by next Friday.

Thanks for everything, guys. Here goes:

Brake repair (critical):

BOTH front calipers, Hoses, Pads, Rotors
Right front wheel bearing
Speedo Cable
Brake Master Cylinder

Have an awesome day!

Brett Carreras
owner of the VA Comicon featuring Bob Gale on Nov 21-22

[Bitsyncmaster]

Brake repair (critical):

BOTH front calipers, Hoses, Pads, Rotors
Right front wheel bearing
Speedo Cable
Brake Master Cylinder



With exception of the Speedo Cable, those components are critical. But to know if they would need replacement, we would have to be there to examine and test the car. I'm guessing your mechanic has done that.

Normally the calipers are always rebuilt.

[bcarreras]

With exception of the Speedo Cable, those components are critical. But to know if they would need replacement, we would have to be there to examine and test the car. I'm guessing your mechanic has done that.

I'm happy to replace any or all of these items if it means I can drive the vehicle around, but I am honestly confused about what Items I need to order. I hardly know squat about cars, and this is uniquely confusing. When I looked up the calipers, they appear to be out of stock from Delorean, and I don't even know the exact names of the other items to look them up, besides the speedo cable.

I know this is lame, but can you guys help me out with identifying the actual parts I will need for this job?

Thanks, all. Much respect.

Regards,

Brett

[dn010]

You'd have better luck getting everything you need, especially with a Friday deadline, by calling the vender instead, you've got the names of everything pretty much correct:

Brake hoses-front and rear (4), front wheel bearings (I'd get 2 and replace both front sides) Set of front and rear brake pads, set of front and rear rotors and the brake master cylinder. There are 2 speedometer cables, one from the wheel to the lambda counter and one from the counter to the speedometer. I'd bet you'd need the one from the wheel (angle drive) to the lambda counter.

Call up and ask for this stuff instead of surfing around the site, much easier to get what you need when you don't really know exactly what all you need. As far as the calipers they can give you options - perhaps they can sell you refurbished ones and you can send your old ones in as the core.




I'm happy to replace any or all of these items if it means I can drive the vehicle around, but I am honestly confused about what Items I need to order. I hardly know squat about cars, and this is uniquely confusing. When I looked up the calipers, they appear to be out of stock from Delorean, and I don't even know the exact names of the other items to look them up, besides the speedo cable.

I know this is lame, but can you guys help me out with identifying the actual parts I will need for this job?

Thanks, all. Much respect.

Regards,

Brett

[mluder]

There are no new old stock calipers left. As Dave said - they have to be rebuilt. Josh at DeLorean Performance Industries offers rebuilt ones separately or in kits.
While you're at it, you should be able to find everything else there too.

http://www.deloreanindustries.com/search.php?search_query=brake&Search=

The various DMC sites also have many of the parts but you probably have to call the shop to see if they have ready to go rebuilt calipers.

Cheers
Steven

[David T]

BOTH front calipers, Hoses, Pads, Rotors
Right front wheel bearing
Speedo Cable
Brake Master Cylinder


To rebuild the front calipers you need the kits and probably the pistons.
Hoses and pads should be in stock with all of the vendors, same for the master cylinder
Rotors should be salvageable by machining. A wheel bearing can be purchased. Get on the phone to a vendor and have it sent next day. You should replace all 4 hoses and rebuild the rear calipers too. Use a good DOT 4 brake fluid like Castrol. You should also flush the clutch if a 5-speed but you might want to do that later so as not to cause a possible problem with it now. Most vendors have rebuilt calipers in stock, so you buy them, pay the core and get it back when you get them your old ones.

[Jonathan]

Advice?

If you have to rush these repairs to meet the Friday deadline, then I'd stop right there and assume your car isn't going to this event.

You rhymed off some of the more important things on the car in your short list. Brakes being important to you and Joe Public walking along the road. The speedo cable could wait as it only tells you... wait for it... your speed. Assuming you aren't trying to set any land speed records getting there and back, you could use a GPS to see how fast you're going or occasionally look out the windshield and compare your rate of movement to those around you.

All kidding aside, brakes aren't hard but they aren't something that's going to always go as planned or on schedule.

Brake master cylinder sounds like a must if your mechanic listed it for you. You tend to buy a new one of those and not rebuild them on our cars.

http://store.delorean.com/p-7478-master-cylinder-brake.aspx

You generally will need to reuse the plastic reservoir that is mounted on top of the one you already have.

If you need brake hoses, they come individually or in sets. They aren't very long and only are there for the flexible portion at each wheel.

Kit here: http://store.delorean.com/p-10616-front-and-rear-brake-hoses-2-each.aspx

Other options out there for stainless braided, etc.

As mentioned, you can't buy complete caliper assemblies for our cars at the moment. You then get to rebuild yours, or your mechanic gets to. Rebuild kits tend to come with the rubber seals that go inside around the pistons and the clip rings to hold things in place.

Kit for one front wheel/caliper:

http://store.delorean.com/p-7407-caliper-rebuild-kit-front.aspx

Kit for the whole car:

http://store.delorean.com/p-10617-caliper-rebuild-kit-complete-car.aspx

You may or may not need to replace the pistons in each caliper. That's better determined once they are disassembled and sitting on the work bench. Again, you are pressed for time so you get the more expensive option of replacing them before looking at them. See how having time on your side helps with this hobby? Sorry, trying not to be a sarcastic ass. Doing things in a rush on these cars is generally a big no-no.

Pistons here:

http://store.delorean.com/p-7405-front-caliper-piston.aspx

That's the front, and you need two per wheel, so four for the front. That's $120 right there alone.

Rears are the same deal if you need them, four in total. Another $120 if need be.

http://store.delorean.com/p-7423-piston-rear-caliper.aspx

Pads for the front are here:

http://store.delorean.com/p-7406-set-of-brake-disc-pads-frt.aspx

Pads for the whole car are here:

http://store.delorean.com/p-10233-pad-set-front-and-rear.aspx

The complete set used to come with replacement hardware for the fronts, like the anti-rattle shims/clips as well as new pins to hold the pads. They aren't included anymore. Don't know why.

Actually, I was just looking for the hardware kit on its own and found this mother load brake overhaul kit. You pretty much need the whole thing:

http://store.delorean.com/p-10668-brake-overhaul-kit.aspx

Their kits don't always give you a deal over buying everything individually, so check the math on your own. Rotors aren't cheap and they are heavy to ship. You said you needed the fronts at least.

That's a big job for a home mechanic and it's not a quick one for a pro either. Rear calipers are held on with a helicoil mess that might need to be redone if you have to do those. If you do the fronts, make sure you have one of the speedo cable brackets in place.

Like this: http://store.delorean.com/p-7328-pipe-and-cable-brkt.aspx

Lower speedo cable here: http://store.delorean.com/p-7323-speedo-cable-lower-26.aspx

Front wheel bearing here: http://store.delorean.com/p-7271-bearing-front-wheel.aspx

The bearings are another thing that'll be important to address if your mechanic added it to this short list.

Seems overwhelming? Yes, it is to some degree. It is doable though, not easily, but not impossible. Just do everyone a favour in your life or neighbourhood and do it properly before driving the car. Or wait and go see the show as a guest. Admission to the show will be cheaper than a lawyer.

[sdg3205]

I'll echo what has already been said. I don't have much faith in mechanics unfamiliar with the DMC; I have see a lot of terrible work. If you have faith in this mechanic, great. My concern would be if the car has been sitting so long to need this brake work, what else is going to rear its ugly head at the event? Just be careful. Make sure no fuel lines are leaking or on their way out. Keep an eye on the electrical, watch for heat, ensure your rad fans are working. It's a long list.

[bfloyd]

Never replaced my wheel bearings (didn't need to), but brakes - especially the front one are fairly easy. When I re-did my brakes on my car, I replaced the master cylinder, the flexible brake lines, and all four calipers. If you can work a wrench, you can replace everything listed above. I bought my brakes from John Hervey @ SpecialTauto. Everything was shipped all at once, arrived in about two days from when I ordered it, and I installed it all myself over a course of two nights. Got to deal with a core charge, but you get it back when you ship your original calipers back.

The rebuilt calipers I got were already loaded with the pads in them. They were pretty much bolt on replacements. Be very cautious when reattaching the hard-line fittings on to the rear of the calipers. I cross-threaded one of mine and had to order a whole new line with the fittings pressed on.

If you're trying to make a deadline of next Friday, like others have said... skip the speedometer cable for now and focus on the safety issues first.