thought I'd put my input on a problem I had last weekend. problem was with a 77 2wd blazer, left caliper wouldn't release, tire shop who just replaced the tires said the caliper or prop valve was bad. I replaced the caliper bled the system and the caliper bound up again. So, I decided to change the prop valve,couldn't find one anywhere but a wrecking yard on a saturday afternoon, managed to mangle on of the brake line fittings even with a flare nut wrench, but I was able to cut the line and reflare the existing line with another end on it. figure problems would be solved. well as soon as I bled the brakes the caliper bound up again! so this time I took the hard line off at the connection to the rubber line and it would not release. so I unhooked the rubber line from the bracket and the caliper released. turns out the rubber line was collapsed inside! May want to keep this in mind if you get a brake that wants to pull to one side and you think you've checked everything. Jim

Was the plugged hose from the wrecking yard? Most times I have seen the rubber hoses swelled up & plugged was when someone has put OIL, NOT brake fluid in. If thats the case You have to flush everything & replace ALL rubber parts.

Interesting, I suggested that was the problem in someone else's post. I was immediately told I was full of %&^(. Not possible, couldn't happen because they had never seen it. Well as you can see it does happen, particularly with older cars, older hoses. The rubber lining of the hose cracks and you have a loose flap inside the hose. Depending on the how it's torn it can block fluid in one direction or the other. Either no braking or no release. It can be intermittent and can even totally block the line. I think it's not commonly known because it's typical to replace the line when replacing the caliper for this type of problem. Everyone assumes its the caliper but may change the hose for good measure. Problem gone, it must have been the caliper.

Thats good stuff.

Thanks Jim!

actually the hose is the one that was on the vehicle, (probably the original). since I ran out of time this weekend, messing with the one side, I'm going to put the new pads in the other side and replace the other hose and the rear hose for my own peace of mind in the very near future. Jim

Originally posted by Jim Mac:
actually the hose is the one that was on the vehicle, (probably the original). since I ran out of time this weekend, messing with the one side, I'm going to put the new pads in the other side and replace the other hose and the rear hose for my own peace of mind in the very near future. Jim Probably a good idea. 17-18 yr old hoses under constant flexing while the car is in motion, yup, good idea.

I was going to suggest just that too.