I did the front brake upgrade over the weekend, and figured I'd share my experience.
When trying to flush the whole system, I broke the first bleeder valve screw in the sequence, so I will need to replace that wheel cylinder when I do the rear brakes. The thing didn't budge, so it's still sealed. I even soaked it with penetrating oil for about 5 days leading up to the attempt.
Besides that, the job went pretty well. I used this kit from Callahan/brake_overstock on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Brak...:sc:ShippingMethodExpress!60067!US!-1&vxp=mtr
I did break the front passenger hardline when removing it from the old caliper...and I'm glad I did because it must have been barely holding up to the pressure of the brake system...I hardly wrenched on it before it broke. I replaced it with a generic hard line from auto zone. The diameter is 3/16" and the fittings are M10 x 1.0. I had to bend the line myself, which took a little time but went ok. I had the option of an 8" or 12" line. I ended up using the 8" which was a little tight, but the 12" seemed like too much. I did find that the 8" (the way I bent it) got in the way of the top caliper mounting bolt, so to I will have to disconnect the bracket that mounts the hose-to-hard line connection to get to it in the future, which honestly is a good move anyway - it gives you a little more room to work.
Because of my complication with the rear wheel cylinder, I only bled the fronts. I did each side twice and the pedal feels great (at least as good, if not stiffer than it used to - but my runner is the only one I've ever driven). I still plan on replacing rear wheel cylinder when it warm up a little bit, but it's hard to find a warm garage in the Chicago winter.
Thanks for all the help everyone.
Especially to [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] - your videos are SO nice to have - because of them I came to the job well prepared and with a great understanding of what needed to be done and what might go wrong. THANKS!
