Need urgent recommendation of a good mechanic in Chicago

[Oz Power]

Hi all.  I have shipped my 1960 caddy convertible to Chicago to do the mother road trip of Route 66.
Unfortunately when the car got delivered yesterday the transport driver noticed a brake fluid leak on the inside of the rear drum backing plate.
Not a good start to a potential 3000 mile journey...

I need to take the car on Monday to someone in Chicago who will know how to carefully take a look at this and possibly repair it before my journey on Wednesday. 

Any recommendations or contacts would be appreciated .

Thanks Joe

[V63]

Damage to the brake line can easily occur if the car is incorrectly or carelessly bound down during shipping.

otherwise...The probability is a wheel cylinder is leaking.

I would check your brake fluid (from the reservoir) to start.
You could use a clean turkey baster from a $1 store. If it is cloudy, murky  or dark you are forewarned of future system issues. Brake fluid is clear when new.

An old car with one leaky wheel cylinder is like an old house with one mouse. If the fluid is ugly, its best to do all (complete) wheel cylinder assemblies and master cylinder...I'd do the hoses too. If you are in a hurry dont buy cylinder rebuild kits, (just the rubber parts and spring) its likely that the cylinders are not rebuildable anyway.

You could get away with keeping the friction before the trip if they appear serviceable and not contaminated with leakage.

Good news is drum brakes do not require any specific knowledge of a 1960 cadillac. Any accomplished 'independent' brake shop should be able  to help you.

I say 'independent' because the chain outfits will require rebuild of the whole system with parts they source. 

Best case, With all the parts in hand... you should be able to get the hydraulic system rebuilt in just under  3 hours. 

[76eldo]

Not all needed for this car.
I've worked on this particular car and the brake fluid is clean.
This may be a sudden occurance on one wheel cylinder.
I'd agree to replace both rears as a pair but the fronts are fine.

If the brakes were not recently gone obedient fee with your assessment but I know that the hoses and lines are good.

Brian

[V63]

 the probability could shift to shipping damage during securement of the car onto the transporter? I've seen lines squashed completely closed before.

[76eldo]

I watched the car get loaded.  It went into a one car enclosed car trailer.  I think it's just a sudden failure of a wheel cylinder.  Joe will have to find out when the car gets looked at in Chicago.

Luckily, if it's a rear cylinder, they should be readily available.  The fronts are harder to get.

Brian

[bcroe]

All the hoses and calipers on my 79 have been REPLACED TWICE
since it was new.  No they didn't fail, that's the idea.  I would consider
that the minimum level maintenance on a single circuit brake system. 
100% of the metal lines have been replaced with non corroding
metal as well.  Bruce Roe

[Hammer150]

Pro-Car Tranmission, 708 499 0710.
Evergreen Pk. Ill. all they work on is classic cars , they wont hurt you in the billing dept. and they have a good reputation.

[Hammer150]

Or reach out to the guys from the West of the Lake Cadillac Club, Im sure they can put you in the right direction.

[Oz Power]

Thank you all for your advice.
I the problem ended up being rear brake cylinder leaks .

The car has been fixed and we successfully drove from Chicsgo to Pontialc IL on route66 without a hitch.

It's great to have members respond to requests like this as its a long road trip and problems do occur from time to time.

Thanks again everybody...

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Be safe and have a great time. BW

[76eldo]

Fairlane Auto turned out to be a great choice.  Thanks for the recommendations here and on the 59/60 Facebook page.

Brian