temporarily disable brake caliper

[Lockasiam]

Front driver caliper has been dragging for a while now, sometimes worse than others. now it's down to the backing plate and i'd like to avoid ruining the rotor while i wait for my new brake hose and front pads to be delivered in about a week. as far as I'm aware, the caliper has an M11 Banjo bolt, which is a size you can't find at any in person establishment. would it be possible to drill out the end of the brake hose to the next largest english size (7/16???) and reuse the crush washers? all other 3 wheels have plenty of pad material left and this solution would be very very temporary, just until i have new pads and the hose. i'm also certain i'd have to disable the ABS module so it doesnt tweak out at the fact that one wheel has no braking power

 

[kschachn]

Front driver caliper has been dragging for a while now, sometimes worse than others. now it's down to the backing plate and i'd like to avoid ruining the rotor while i wait for my new brake hose and front pads to be delivered in about a week. as far as I'm aware, the caliper has an M11 Banjo bolt, which is a size you can't find at any in person establishment. would it be possible to drill out the end of the brake hose to the next largest english size (7/16???) and reuse the crush washers? all other 3 wheels have plenty of pad material left and this solution would be very very temporary, just until i have new pads and the hose. i'm also certain i'd have to disable the ABS module so it doesnt tweak out at the fact that one wheel has no braking power

Wow, just wow. A week with unbalanced braking in the front?

No way. And how are you disabling the ABS? Pulling a fuse?

 

[Lockasiam]

A week with unbalanced braking in the front?

I could handle it, I’ve driven friends cars with way worse issues

And how are you disabling the ABS? Pulling a fuse?

Yes exactly

 

[Lockasiam]

Well now that I think about it it's just wheel speed sensors so the abs might be fine

 

[kschachn]

Sure.

 

[supton]

If its on the backing plate I would just run it. Steel on cast iron will work vastly better than no brake.

but IMO — even if you have to rack up credit card debt — just fix it right. Or don’t drive it.

 

[Trav]

Hopefully no one gives the OP any ideas, what he proposes is crazy to say nothing about being dangerous.

 

[wwillson]

Fix it before you drive it. Driving without a front brake is irresponsible. I'm glad my grandkids don't live near you.

 

[Lockasiam]

These responses are very warranted and I understand

 

[redhat]

I just don’t know what drilling out the brake hose accomplishes? Drilling out the banjo to stuff a 7/16 bolt with nut in there?

If you really need it to get around. Find the same brand/model parts locally, perform job then return the same parts bought online to the brick and mortar store.

Ethically I don’t know where this falls but at least you’d be safe and it isn’t like your swapping wrong parts.

 

[Lockasiam]

Drilling out the banjo to stuff a 7/16 bolt with nut in there?

yeah, this so i don't lose all my fluid

f you really need it to get around. Find the same brand/model parts locally, perform job then return the same parts bought online to the brick and mortar store.

this is also an idea

 

[spasm3]

Front driver caliper has been dragging for a while now, sometimes worse than others. now it's down to the backing plate and i'd like to avoid ruining the rotor while i wait for my new brake hose and front pads to be delivered in about a week. as far as I'm aware, the caliper has an M11 Banjo bolt, which is a size you can't find at any in person establishment. would it be possible to drill out the end of the brake hose to the next largest english size (7/16???) and reuse the crush washers? all other 3 wheels have plenty of pad material left and this solution would be very very temporary, just until i have new pads and the hose. i'm also certain i'd have to disable the ABS module so it doesnt tweak out at the fact that one wheel has no braking power

None of this is a safe idea.

 

[kschachn]

yeah, this so i don't lose all my fluid

And then what are you going to do when you get the replacement caliper? Drill and tap that for a larger bolt? Or replace the hose too?

This is very poor notion, all of it.

 

[Lockasiam]

Or replace the hose too?

hose is getting replaced and caliper is getting rebuilt

 

[KrisZ]

Are the pads truly metal on metal? If there is a bit of the lining left, flip the pads with the good side. This should give you enough time I would think.

 

[Lockasiam]

Are the pads truly metal on metal? If there is a bit of the lining left, flip the pads with the good side. This should give you enough time I would think.

I thought about doing that but i'm afraid it's too late, it's all metal

 

[captainbeandip]

Does your vehicle have a working hand brake?

If so, could you rely mostly on that to slow down the vehicle, while using the foot brake less? This is probably a stupid idea too, but I still thought I'd throw it out there.

If you do go for my dumb idea, keep in mind that the hand brake doesn't activate the brake lights, so some light foot pressure at the same time as the hand brake would probably be good.

 

[KrisZ]

I thought about doing that but i'm afraid it's too late, it's all metal

Then your rotor is likely ruined already, there is no reason trying to save it and endanger yourself and others in the process.

 

[Lockasiam]

Then your rotor is likely ruined already, there is no reason trying to save it.

that's unfortunate

 

[John105]

I had this problem and it got so bad there would be white smoke. I just replaced the hose. I don’t like the idea of disconnecting a caliper.