Continual additions to my 1967 Ford Mustang feel like solid progress towards the potential endgame—the ability to drive it out of my garage and enjoy the car. Still, there’s a long road ahead. But this latest bit of wrenching sets up a platform for proper braking capability. I have affixed the front brakes to the car.
I purchased the 11″ disc brakes from Baer by way of CJ Pony Parts. They arrived with the bearings already packed into the rotors, which is nice, so my delicate hands stay relatively clean. The kit includes the rotors and wheel bearings, calipers, pads, and the bit of brake line that will run from the brakes into the rest of the braking system.
At the moment, I plan to run all new brake lines, so I didn’t attach the hose from the calipers to the car. But I did get the rotors on, bearings seated, and the calipers in place. It’s one of those jobs that seems potentially daunting for a person who may have never done brake work. Thankfully, I’ve done minimal brake jobs, and that’s enough to let you know that actually putting on fresh rotors and pads is a fairly easy assignment. Especially when you’re working with all fresh hardware.
You all are well aware that I am pretty much an idiot when it comes to car work. Yet even I knocked this one out in relatively short order, and without anyone looking over my shoulder. Just some tunes playing on the garage speakers, my nodding my head to the music, and the wrenches putting things in place where they belong.
A satisfying way to burn some time on a Saturday afternoon… especially since it now means I am just wheels and tires away from setting this car back down on the ground for the first time in quite some time.
By Jeff Glucker
Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway.
IG: @HooniverseJeff