Hey all,

I'm digging into the brakes in my 1957 444 and finding nothing but yuck. At the very least I'll need to rebuild the wheel cylinders and more probably the master too. I'd also like to replace the brake hoses. Here's my question:

In lieu of the local parts houses scratching their head when I ask for brake parts for a 1957 Volvo ("they didn't make any Volvos until 1961, son"), what other models have the same or similar components? Specifically, what other years of the PV or 122 or 1800 (or VW, Saab, etc.) used the same brake hoses, wheel cylinders, shoes, etc. ? I'll go through a mail order company if I really have to, but I need to get this car roadworthy ASAP as I'm moving out to Colorado ASAP.

Also, the pinion seal on my rear axle is leaking like a sieve. Any idea of the interchangibility of this as well? I believe it's the Dana Spicer.


Thanks for all the kind replies and words of encouragement I've been getting! This board is the best!

Aiden
1957 444
1970 VW Doublecab (for sale!)

As far as brake lines go. I'm nearly positive that the brake hoses were the same through all pv/duett model years. And i am currently replacing much of the braking system on my duett. I was able to find the rubber brake hoses available at both Schucks and Carquest. I'm not sure where you live, maybe out in the land of pepboys or some other chain auto parts store. But if they can find the three rubber lines for a 544 from 1963, those should work for you.

As for the wheel cylinders, I doubt you'll find those from a chain franchise. Even the rebuild kits would be hard to find, not to metion expensive. I'd take the cylinders apart, clean then up, maybe a light honing, to remove any corrosion, the take the rubber cups to a good auto parts store, and ask them for their wheel cylinder cup "bin" and look at what they've got, could be something of the same size.

Good luck. ted

If you're lucky, you can still buy brake parts from a nationwide auto parts store, if they are willing to spend the time looking for replacements by part number. If you remove the brake parts, you will see a 4 digit number stamped on the wheel cylinder. This is likely a Lockheed-Wagner part. Same with the brake shoes. Ask them for a pair of Studebaker brakes shoes, circa 1964. Then match the generic steel lines to the brake parts.

Now I said if you were lucky. The older 444 used various other brake components. I even saw a 444 brake system with 2, single plunger wheel cylinders per wheel. As I described in an earlier posting, my brake system has self-adjusters that travel through the leading shoe. If you absolutely cannot find the parts, contact Olof at Vintage Import Parts from a link on my web site.

I'm afraid this is not a simple rush job, since the drums might need cleaning if brake fluid has penetrated the linings and of course all moving parts must be thoroughly cleaned. I hope your emergency cable is still working as well. Your biggest problem is identifying the proper replacement parts and hopefully getting them locally. Good luck.
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Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

I am in the process of replacing the metal brake lines on a 63, 544 and looked around for pre-bent lines with no luck. It seems that most folks get generic lines and a tool to bend them. On my first trip to a local parts house, I had the new flex line from IPD with me and their metal line fitting didn't match so I will keep looking.
You might check out my post a few days ago "Metal Brake Lines" as there is a response from CVOLVO about 444's that might be helpful to you.
DC