Capping the brake lines

[German Dude]

Gentlemen,

I will be removing the front calipers to do an overhaul. What is the best way to cap the brake lines? The calipers might be out of the car for about a week so a long-term capping solution is requested.

Thanks,

Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

[Tom]

I woild suggest you drain the entire system prior to removing the caliper and avoid the capping idea.  You will likely need to refill the entire system anyway.

On a related note, I bought a one man bleeding system for $40 recently.  Don't know why I put my wife through the brake bleeding torture for so long-this system is great!  Several companies make them.

Best,

Tom

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[rwmastel]

If you put an air tight seal on the brake fluid resivoir, would that keep the fluid from draining because of the vacuum?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[A Dalton]

A trick I have used for years is  - Don't throw out those old swollen brake hoses ..
 I just cut the hose a couple of inches from the fitting end and stick the right size nail/rivet in the hose .. Then , whenever doing brake work, you have a screw-on stopper with the correct fitting to screw on the line you want plugged......
 Cheap tool ..just throw them in the tool box instead of in the trash.........

[graphic66]

I use golf tee's to block the lines with good results. You may want to flush the master cylinder and lines with 99% isoproponal alcohol when you take it apart and then upon reassembly flush out the alcohol with brake fluid. Don't use type 5 silicone brake fluid in these older systems not designed for it. Brake fluid should be changed at a regular interval just as your other fluids, depending on the conditions. I think at least every 5 years, and if you are in more severe usage such as water or high heat even more.

[German Dude]

I like the idea with the old hoses. Too bad mine were replaced this summer and the old ones were tossed... MB Cylinder and all lines are new, so is the fluid, hence my desire to get away hassle-free this time and just plug the line - well, gotta go look for those golf tees.

Thanks,

Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon