Lane66m - Cars with bad/loose bushings can swerve only under braking too. Perhaps something is allowing your camber to change under braking?

"...Corvairs are among the best stopping of any cars from the 1960s"

Exactly why I thought I'd leave them alone. But, I forgot how unreliable and fidgety drums can be.
I also have a first gen Stingray, also an excellent braking car for the 60s. Except it's early Delco-Morraine calipers use cups, like a wheel cylinder. Been replaced by o-ring calipers.
Dubiously reliable brakes are not an option for me.
As my most "normal" car, this is intended to be my daily local car.

Never saw the bring-a-trailer ad. The man I bought it from had a Corvair problem. I had worked on his multiple cars in the past, so when I decided to look for a Corvair, I called him, and learned all the cars I'd worked on were already sold off, but he had a different one to sell. So...

Sadly, my local Corvair club has shrunk away... one of the reasons the previous owner said he was selling it. It'll probably be with me until I die. I love buying cars...never want to sell them. If I wasn't married, I'd probably be living in a carlot/junkyard.

Eric

Eric:

Issue was pre and post front suspension rebuild with all new bolts/hardware, and alignments. So everything has been replaced/adjusted or investigated,except the left hard line to the left front wheel. 4 year issue, so time to try a new system.

Al
Georgia

Erics67 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
...
> Sadly, my local Corvair club has shrunk away... one of the reasons the previous owner said he was selling it. It'll probably be with me until I die....
> Eric

---

Our international club "Corvair Society of America" aka CORSA <link has over 50 members in South Carolina.
Join us! You can find fellow enthusiasts near you, for sure.

---

Dan Davis ~ Pierce County, WA ~ CCF admin ~
CORSA +Corvairs NW + North Cascades Corvairs + Corvanatics
1966 Corsa Turbo coupe ~ ~ 1966 Corsa 140 Coupe ~ ~ 1965 Monza 140/4 Convertible Sierra Tan/Fawn ~ 1964 Monza Spyder Convertible ~ 1960 Monza Ermine White/Red PG ++ ~ 1965 Monza 140/4 CoupeEvening Orchid w/ ivory/black interior ~ 1962 Monza Wagon 102/4 ~ 1963 Rampside/Scamper ~ 1963 Red/Greenbrier ~ 1969 Ultra Van #468

Eric:

Here is the link to the build on this More Door.

23 pages. I trapped it where current brake issues become pronounced. Somewhere previous in it you can see the suspension rebuild and alignments. Also previous brake work.

[corvaircenter.com]

Al
Georgia

Why am I not going to discs? Over the years I have had way more problems with discs than drums. Those were all designed and approved by factory engineers, not home made setups My Vair stopped perfectly all its life, even from above 100MPH. When I started restoring it I did all new brake parts, steel lines hoses everything. One of the dumbest things I ever did was to turn the drums and throw away the perfectly good 80s vintage shoes. The Clarks shoes at that time sucked, period. I replaced with some Flaps shoes and things were for nearly 20 years until the pulling started. I switched a much as I could from side to side, one item at a time. No help, so I started buying one at a time, same thing. As for guys say its a suspension problem, what could be bad enough for a wheel to lock up, and the car drive perfectly. nothing.


My Workhorse Chassis motorhome was a nightmare that eventually bankrupted the company.

[www.smedleys.com]

[static.nhtsa.gov]

My sons Fiero has a dragging park brake that caused the rotor to glow red, explode the hose and through a huge ball of fire from the wheel well

There is a lot more but I won't waste your time.

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2023 KIA K5 GT/GT1 turbo-AKA ZIPPY II (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa

Lane66m Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eric:
>
> Issue was pre and post front suspension rebuild with all new bolts/hardware, and alignments. So everything has been replaced/adjusted or investigated,except the left hard line to the left front wheel. 4 year issue, so time to try a new system.


Al,

You read my mind! Can't wait to hear about what if anything you see in the hard lines.
Tks Mike

1966 Monza Convertible, 140HP-4 speed, Ermine White
1969 Monza Convertible, 110HP-PG, Frost Green, #3753

Black Mountain,NC

Others in the menagerie...
72 Corvette Stingray, 58K miles, owned since 87
72 MGB, 112K miles, bought from original owner in 09
78 Chevy pickup, 124K miles, bought new in 78
93 Corvette, LT1/6spd, 210K miles, daily driver since 96
02, Chevy Z71, 4x4, 93K miles, my Dad's truck, inherited 2021

Several years ago a coworker had and still has a '67 Nova. He had redone everything on the brakes, drums were turned and several set of shoes were tried and it would always pull. I believe that it would pull differently each time he stepped on the brakes. He was about ready to put on front discs to get rid of the problem when he decided to try factory shoes. I said this was a while ago. The dealer came up with a very dusting and shelf worn box of shoes. He put them on and it has been stopping straight ever since.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

Too late to ask for factory shoes. And I sure as heck ain't moving rt shoes to left side to try to even out the pull. Best to go to new technology. Simpler to replace pads in future.

Al
Georgia

Already did the swap thing Al, no help. For other guys following this thread. I had one set of new shoes that were wide enough that they were rubbing on the inside of the new drums. I had another set that had a nasty burr on the shoe where it rides on the backing plate pad and chewed that up. Don't take anything for granted.

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2023 KIA K5 GT/GT1 turbo-AKA ZIPPY II (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa

Thanks to everyone for their info and opinions.


Lane66 - I figured you probably had, but thought I would mention it. You'd be surprised how many times I've encountered missing shim packs,loose radius arms etc. The car would track just fine 'til you hit the brakes.

RexJohnson - That is an interesting trailer in your sig. Any other info about it?


It seems that some folks have had some issues, in the past, with disc brakes. As a mechanic for the last 30 yrs. I have experienced disc brakes to be FAR more reliable and maintenance free than drums. Occasionally, they stick. but I have never seen a caliper leak, that wasn't over extended or an old school cup style (old vettes, 60s mustangs etc.).

This cars brakes were rebuilt two years ago, with hoses, wheel cylinders etc. from Clarks, by my old boss (the only other person I would ever let work on my cars). Worked awesome the first day... Probably could be sorted out. But, for how long?

If I could only have all the time back, I spent arguing on multiple forums, with people who were against disc brakes or dual circuit masters....

Any car I drive in traffic, with my loved ones on board, will be dual circuit and at least front discs.

-Eric

Bernie.
He's very confused why he hasn't ridden in this car yet. This car sucks.

Eric:

Here is an parts list to help you out in your project. It is what I am supposed to have in my kit. I got it yesterday, but no time to check it yesterday. Donna and I went out to dinner for a change at a nice seafood steak restaurant 60 miles down the coast. Great evening.


List:

Bolts lengths may be different on your installation.

2 caliper to spindle mounting brackets
1 left side caliper
1 right side caliper
2 brake rotors
1 car set of brake pads
2 5/8 * 1.25 top bracket bolts
2 1/2 * 1.25 top bracket bolts
2 1/2 flat washers
2 3/8 * 1.75 steering arm bolts
2 3/8 * 2.0 steering arm bolts
2 3/8 fine thread Stover
2 3/8 fine thread locking nuts
4 caliper bolts with sleeve pins
2 17” stainless steel brake hoses
2 10mm banjo bolts
4 copper crush washers

Al
Georgia

Lane66- Thanks for the info.

Was supposed to get caliper brackets today, but they were sent signature required... Hopefully soon. Anxious to drive my new car.

Eric

In reply to [corvaircenter.com]

Timothy Shortle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> AWESOME! A 500 4 door with A/C. Who has one of those???





I do! And it's a '67.
Although the PO "Monza-ized" it .

Kevin
Medina, OH

Erics67 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks to everyone for their info and opinions.
>
>
> Lane66 - I figured you probably had, but thought I would mention it. You'd be surprised how many times I've encountered missing shim packs,loose radius arms etc. The car would track just fine 'til you hit the brakes.
>
> RexJohnson - That is an interesting trailer in your sig. Any other info about it?
>
>
> It seems that some folks have had some issues, in the past, with disc brakes. As a mechanic for the last 30 yrs. I have experienced disc brakes to be FAR more reliable and maintenance free than drums. Occasionally, they stick. but I have never seen a caliper leak, that wasn't over extended or an old school cup style (old vettes, 60s mustangs etc.).
>
> This cars brakes were rebuilt two years ago, with hoses, wheel cylinders etc. from Clarks, by my old boss (the only other person I would ever let work on my cars). Worked awesome the first day... Probably could be sorted out. But, for how long?

If it was done correctly, is shouldn't ever be a problem, until it needs replacing due to normal wear.

>
> If I could only have all the time back, I spent arguing on multiple forums, with people who were against disc brakes or dual circuit masters....

No idea why anyone would be "Against them".
Dual Circuit is always a good thing.
As for Discs???
On a Corvair, the just ain't needed.
As J.O. stated above, I too have driven my Vair up in the triplwe digits, and have had no adverse effects using my DRUM brakes to stop the car.


>
> Any car I drive in traffic, with my loved ones on board, will be dual circuit and at least front discs.
>
> -Eric

In the end, it is your car and you should do to it what pleases, or makes you feel better.
Personally, I feel front discs are a silly thing on a Vair.
As also stated above, the Late Model (LM) brakes on a Vair are OVER-SIZED for the work they are doing.
Corvair brakes are hand-me-downs from the GM mid-sized cars.
Also, due to the rear-engine arrangement, the braking weight bias in a Corvair is DRASTICALLY different than any other American car.
If a guy wants to change thing up, it's his business.
I just don't understand guys (not just you, this happens ALL the time) who buy a Corvair, and then want to dive into modifying it, when they have never driven a well-sorted Corvair.
WHY?
Drive it a good six months dead stock, then decide if it needs modifying.
You will never know if what you did is an improvement, if you never knew what it performed like (Properly) before the mod.
But Hey,you've already spent the money, go for it.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
WA. state, 1 mile south of the Canadian border, I am not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

Quote
AM Mel
who buy a Corvair, and then want to dive into modifying it, when they have never driven a well-sorted Corvair.

This comes up a lot on all antique car forums. Replace Corvair with any other antique brand. And while there are many well sorted STOCK Corvairs to drive for comparison, try to drive a mid 30s Packard that is well sorted.

Wait, try to find a mid 30s well sorted Packard, even one the owner will not let you drive. Mid 20s well sorted Cadillac? Examples of well sorted cars that are 75+ years old is in the slim numbers, as the majority of the clean ones are trailer queens that never go on tours. Now go back 100+ years and the number of well sorted gets higher! The HCCA (1915 and back) is all about tours, so those members keep their cars road worthy of tours. That is their only goal.

We (CORSA) is lucky that there are so many well sorted stock Corvairs, and there are owners willing to let people drive them to show how they perform.

Frank DuVal

Fredericksburg, VA

"I just don't understand guys (not just you, this happens ALL the time) who buy a Corvair, and then want to dive into modifying it..."

To each his own. I've never been able to resist trying to improve every vehicle I've ever bought.

Sure is a mystery why anyone would want to improve braking performance, balance and reliability.

Especially balance and reliability. Who wants that?

But, what do I know? I am the weirdo who changed out the brakes on his Corvette, put jb7 one ton brakes on my blazer, 4 wheel discs on my Datsun and front disc with type-3 drums on the back of my Beetle. (and hydraulic brakes on my bicycle).

Maybe I have a brake fetish? Who knows. I shall enjoy my extra unsprung weight. In exchange for brakes that, (necessary or not), are objectively superior in every other way.

Eric

The stock brake system on a late model Corvair is like the stock A/C system.
Maybe (maybe) one can improve the HRPT on a LM.

Timothy Shortle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Maybe (maybe) one can improve the HRPT on a LM.

GM already did. Now it is a HBRT. It is black and bolted on. So sheet metal bolt comes loose and HBRT falls off onto battery tray. Poof! No more power. I got rid of it for a circuit breaker, which does it job and more on my Camaro.

Al
Georgia