64 Studebaker Avanti R1

[1inxs]

I took the 1964 Studebaker Avanti R1 out for the first time since my brake mishap! I rebuilt the left front caliper assembly, blead the brakes and everything is back to normal again.
My mishap involved the left front caliper mounting bracket bolts. They vibrated loose until I hit my brake last trip and my caliper rolled forward with the rotor and wedged in my wheel bringing me to an uncontrolled quick stop. After it happened I did some research and found there was a Studebaker Technical Bulletin describing this happening on a few Avanti.
No other damage occurred and I was glad I hadn’t hit the freeway and doing 80 MPH yet.

[64studeavanti]

Can you provide the number of the bulletin? I have copies and do not recall that one.

[1inxs]

As soon as I come across the Studebaker release for this failure I will post it. I was surprised because it’s not I’m my Studebaker TSB book. My only concern is that I have installed the caliper and everything is good for now. But I keep overthinking that I should have used some Loctite red on the bracket bolts. I still think I’ll put it on the lift and redo both sides and use loctite. Any recommendation on this?
Thanks
Robert

[tsenecal]

Blue loctite would make it easier to work on next time. Red takes heat to make it release. Either way, it seems like a good plan.

[1inxs]

Tom, Great point! It would sure make driving on the interstate a lot more comfortable knowing it’s not coming apart.

[Mark L]

I usually do the brake work on all my vehicles. A few years ago my wife and daughter came home from an appointment and mentioned there was something wrong with the right front brake on a Toyota Sienna van we owned. I found one caliper frame bolt missing, and the other was loose. I usually torque the hardware with a torque wrench set to the vehicle's specifications, but apparently forgot on that brake. After learning that lesson, I now make sure all the brake hardware is tight every time I remove the wheels to rotate the tires. I also check the amount of wear on the the brake pads at that time.

[52 Ragtop]

Also use new lock washers and Grade 8 bolts! Studebaker used Grade 5 bolts but think safety! Also check (and replace) the lower A-Arm bolts. I had them work loose on a 64 Cruiser I had. Replaced with new bolts and lock washers along with Ny lock nuts, no more problems of coming loose.

Jim

[1inxs]

The wait was well worth it, Thank you Pat O’Brien! The 1964 Avanti has a new attitude with Halibrand wheels.