Project 1990 country squire resto/modification - Page 3 - Ford Forums

andyfanshawe · 10-03-2009, 14:38

Right, the next exciting installment. Rear brakes.
I know the last owner said the front calipers had been changed, and a handbrake cable, but nothing about the rear brakes. So lets have a look

Centre cap off on passenger side. Doesn't look too bad.

First view of the drum. Rusty, but not too bad.

Drum off, doesn't look too bad.

Shoes okay, lets have a closer look at the slave cylinder.

Shoes off to have an even closer look at the cylinder. Doesn't look damp.

Lets get the dust cover off and really see what it's like.

Oh dear, lets have a look at the other side

.............................

andyfanshawe · 10-03-2009, 14:39

Well I'm not a pro mechanic but that I don't like and the LH piston is stuck solid. So, onto the bench we go, Extract the pistons with compressed air and a hammer, and this is what we have

Serious clean up and the cylinder and seals are not too bad, so its rebuild time. Now I have rebuilt loads of slaves over the years by cleaning up the seals and cylinders and having no problems, so lets try it again. New ones ordered just in case (£18 each + VAT - US Automotive).

All put back and brake bleeding time. Time to call in my lady Wife to monitor the and top up the level in the master cylinder.
Now I have seen some funny colour brake fluid, but this looks like stagnant pond water or is it LHM fluid. In fact I had to check the M/C cap to make sure it is brake fluid and not LHM fluid!

Heres where its starting to look a bit cleaner

Heres my trusty mityvac in operation and a comparison between the old and new fluid.

Other side tomorrow, but a last look at the wagon before I have a well deserved rest!

Oh, forgot to mention. Nobody told me it has self levelling rear suspension!

I wondered what that compressor on the front LH inner fender was!!

Front brakes check next. Last owner said these had been changed, and there is a spare new one in the back.

Andy.

**rtg143** · 10-03-2009, 15:05

You're really being thorough with the car. I hope you had jack stands besides the jack while you were working on it.

andyfanshawe · 10-03-2009, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtg143

You're really being thorough with the car. I hope you had jack stands besides the jack while you were working on it.

Always! Photo taken just prior to putting wheel back on. Excellent point though. Get that wrong once and its game over

Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-04-2009, 12:39

Repeated all he above on the other side, and moved to the front drivers side.
Wheel off

to reveal.......

new caliper, disc, pads and flexy line. Good news.
Well, not all good, because the plastic dust shield behind the disc has melted and deformed

So, the caliper and disc had to come off to extract it.

Order one of those later.
have a look at this photo of the drop link, and more specifically the bushes that have perished.
Something else for the order book!

Have a close look where the link goes through the lower control arm. The hole has worn oval. i will remove that and weld it up in my next holidays (3 weeks time).

Some of my parts should be arriving tomorrow, so I may be able to get the engine together in time for a test run and then the plenum coming off and the PCV valve. grommet and screen to be replaced.
Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-05-2009, 14:55

Some parts arrived today, and I'm still dismantling!!

Top box contains the official thick workshop manual ($20 for the book and $45 shipping!!).
Bottom box is from US Automotive and contains plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm, oil, air and fuel filter, thermostat, rad cap, AC/PS serpentine belt and intake gaskets (plenum and 2 inlet to head). Well, I hope they are in there! Not checked yet.
Back to the car:
Removed battery and noticed that the battery tray is an extension of the plastic inner wing and reinforced by steel bracing underneath. This is the remains of that support

Need to make one of those then, Should be straightforward, then I will stand the battery on one of those battery mats.
Over to the plenum. Major oil leak back there and I bet its the PCV valve.
Here are better views with the plenum removed.

Got some serious cleaning up to do there!
And guess what? The PCV valve was off its seat. Excessive crankcase pressure? Tell me it aint so!!!
Andy.

**rtg143** · 10-05-2009, 16:31

The PCV seal probably just hardened and dried out. Oil will spray without the PCV drawing the gases.

andyfanshawe · 10-06-2009, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtg143

The PCV seal probably just hardened and dried out. Oil will spray without the PCV drawing the gases.

Thanks rtg143.
I was hoping that would be the case!

Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-06-2009, 12:54

Heres a photo of the PCV valve and its grommet and the screen thats underneath.

As you can tell from this picture of the grommet, someone has tried to glue it in. You can see the glue on the top section.

I'll get one of them ordered tomorrow. PCV valve is clear now and screen has been degreased and blown through with 150 psi air line.
I have sprayed the heavily oiled area (even down to the transmission and beyond) with degreaser and I will leave it overnight to soak in. Careful application of water and air, and it should be a lot cleaner. Then its valve covers off and on with new gaskets. Trouble is my Wife says I absolutely stink now due to the degreaser, so I got thrown out of the house to get changed!!
Have a close look at the passenger side rear light. It should be secured down with 4 screws. There is actually only 1 left!!

Easy fix though!
Heres a couple of photos of the front leather seats. The drivers has a split in it where the leather has dried out, and the passenger is just about to go as well. Got a leather expert out yesterday who confirmed the leather was irrepairable and neede replacing. Matching the colour won't be a problem. Cost? Well, I asked if i could help do it to cut down the cost and he agreed. Should be somewhere near £300 to replace the bases of the front seats and dye and condition the rest.

Andy.

**rtg143** · 10-06-2009, 13:48

Can hardly wait to see the finished product.