Help major Brake Leak, 1990 300zx NA

[KiDoZ]

I have a leak at the brakes. this is what i have, see pictures.
my question is simple, what can i look for, im no mechanic and short on fund. so im hoping some mechanic out there has seen this before and can help me. thanks

[Ace2cool]

I can't really tell from the picture what the problem is. If it's leaking from the calipers, try tightening the 4 bolts on the backside of the caliper (should be either 12 or 14mm.) Those bolts sandwich the caliper together.

I'm assuming it's not leaking from the hose, as you posted a picture of the front side of the caliper.

[KiDoZ]

I can't really tell from the picture what the problem is. If it's leaking from the calipers, try tightening the 4 bolts on the backside of the caliper (should be either 12 or 14mm.) Those bolts sandwich the caliper together.

I'm assuming it's not leaking from the hose, as you posted a picture of the front side of the caliper.

ITs leaking from the calipers, hoses are fine.
when i losen bolts it leaked out, is that normal.
also. i will try to tight again. they were tight as heck though.
any ideas, going ot tighten again. only driver side leaks.

[Ace2cool]

Yes, when you take those bolts out, the fluid will come out. The only other thing I can think of would be the caliper seal that goes between the two caliper halves or the piston seals themselves. Where is it leaking from? That's what I really need to know. Inside, back, top, bottom, front?

[KiDoZ]

will be back in a day or two, to darn cold out, winter is almost here. i froze my butt off just lifting car up. uggg. anyway, it did stop once i tighten back up, then refilled. does it require bleeding now. please say no.

[Ace2cool]

If the pedal feels all right, then no. There's a possibility air got in there though, so I can't say no and be 100% certain on that.

[KiDoZ]

is the large metal caliper piece 2 piece or one, when it was loose, it kinda spread apart some. i see pics of them on websites and it looks like a one piece unit.????

[t.mcginley.jr]

The calipers are 2 pieces, Like Ace said, there's 4 bolts that hold both halves together. There are 2 o-rings in between the two sides for the fluid passages. It's more likely that your piston seals are leaking. The caliper rebuild kit from Z1 is are $30 I think (for the fronts)

[KiDoZ]

The calipers are 2 pieces, Like Ace said, there's 4 bolts that hold both halves together. There are 2 o-rings in between the two sides for the fluid passages. It's more likely that your piston seals are leaking. The caliper rebuild kit from Z1 is are $30 I think (for the fronts)

im in process of ordering rebuild kit, thanks, looks like an easy job.

[Ace2cool]

Easy if you have access to an air compressor. Otherwise, not so much.

[KiDoZ]

Easy if you have access to an air compressor. Otherwise, not so much.

Always, whats a house without compressor. how many time has one had to deposit 1 dollar to fill up tires. it adds up, used compressor. Priceless.
of course i do.

[Ace2cool]

Cool. Should be pretty easy then. I followed the write up we have here:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/rebuil ... ipers.html

Careful when you're popping the cylinders out, as I had one fly about 20 feet. A helper when doing this is absolutely invaluable.

[KiDoZ]

OK, doing calipers as we speak, man were they nasty. no one told me i would get dirty, anyway. toothbrush in hand brake cleaner in hand i go to work. i get caliper half apart and guess what, no little tiny rubber seals inside. exactly none. this must explain leak, so im going to complete the rebuild and hopes it comes out fine. thank god im no mechanic.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Holy crap there weren't any seals in your brakes?! They must have been oozing brake fluid 24/7!

And expect to get dirty when doing anything with brakes due to brake dust (= black).

[KiDoZ]

Holy crap there weren't any seals in your brakes?! They must have been oozing brake fluid 24/7!

And expect to get dirty when doing anything with brakes due to brake dust (= black).

Yup no seals between the two halves. and they were nasty, i only did one and im pissed off. ill wait till tomorrow to do other side. it doesnt leak so im not to worried but its next. bled them and all is dandy. one side is clean other isn't. lol

ok, my kid just ask me ho much is it to buy a 300zx. he wants one.

case closed. breaks fixed. going for a drive, if im not back, i guess i hit a tree.

[KiDoZ]

Hey fokes, i just notice something.
in this picture borrowed from the right up. does the retainer spring feed through the pins on the one end. it just dawned on me the pin was inserted wrong also. Dam, got to take it apart again. only the pin and retainer clip.


but does clip feed into pins???

http://www.nicoclub.com/wp-content/uplo ... 2/12/2.jpg

[Ace2cool]

Hey fokes, i just notice something.
in this picture borrowed from the right up. does the retainer spring feed through the pins on the one end. it just dawned on me the pin was inserted wrong also. Dam, got to take it apart again. only the pin and retainer clip.


but does clip feed into pins???

http://www.nicoclub.com/wp-content/uplo ... 2/12/2.jpg

Yes, the clips go through the holes in the pins.

Also, you did put some O rings in where they were supposed to be, right? Otherwise it's just going to keep leaking.

[KiDoZ]

Hey fokes, i just notice something.
in this picture borrowed from the right up. does the retainer spring feed through the pins on the one end. it just dawned on me the pin was inserted wrong also. Dam, got to take it apart again. only the pin and retainer clip.


but does clip feed into pins???

http://www.nicoclub.com/wp-content/uplo ... 2/12/2.jpg

Yes, the clips go through the holes in the pins.

Also, you did put some O rings in where they were supposed to be, right? Otherwise it's just going to keep leaking.

but retainer wont go in pin, if it does go inside the pin, then its broken inside it. clip wont go into pins.
i did install all seals, im good there

[Ace2cool]

If the clip doesn't go into the pins, then the pins will work themselves loose and you'll have a major brake failure on your hands. Do you have the pins rotated properly so that the clip isn't stressed? That's the reason they have the screwdriver slot on the front.

[t.mcginley.jr]

When I did mine, I found it easiest to use a pair of needlenose pliers to get the thin retainer in while using a screwdriver to turn the pin the right way. If it isn't going in, I doubt something is stuck in it, it's probably just not lined up right.

[KiDoZ]

OK, done with brake calipers, retaining spring is installed right, in place and safe to drive now. wow. In process, replace both lower tie rods. made proper adjustments and aligned fron wheels myself. it was tricky but i was able to align the front wheels perfect. i called shop, they said 80 dollars, found a trick to doing it myself and walla. so now car is fine. Brakes are good, calipers are good. outer tie rods are good. can someone please, tell me im not a mechanic. please. i hate cars. i hate them. beautiful day spent fixing up car. NICE. i dont know if there is writeup to do alignment on here but if not. there should be. its easy.

im done. ordering pizza.
see ya