why??????????

[joehalford01]

So i got the locking lug nuts off tonight on the corvette. I had to sacrifice four 15/16 sockets by slicing them down one side and hammering them onto the lugs. worked great. I then proceeded to remove the first caliper so i could swap out the pads......i got the old pads out, then took out the good ol c-clamp to run the pistons down.....and psshhhhhhhhh......caliper starts leaking brake fluid......

maybe it's my fault for using a c-clamp on the pistons but this is how i've always done it and i've never had any problems. i read it was common for the calipers to leak but i figured mine would be ok since there are so few miles. now i'm sad......i was saving for a second driveway but i might as well do everything now if i have to replace one caliper and bleed the brake system. god this sucks...............................................six more months of working at casa grande......

 

[Gastrick]

Where is the caliper leaking Joe? Aoround the piston? It doesn't take much to put new seals in them. By the way, I use a c-clamp to compress the pistons but I put a piece of wood across the face of the piston first, and then squeeze the wood with the clamp. That way the force is spread evenly across the face of the piston and it only receeds into the caliper body until it's flush because the piece of wood is larger than the piston and stops the compression at the face.

 

[gassersgarage]

Corvette calipers are terrible. Good investment is to get stainless steel calipers. They have always had a problem in Corvettes. The brake fluid deteriorates the calipers until they leak. My old roomate was the service manager at the House of Corvettes. Got my parts for free when I was restoring a 68'. At that time, 78', a set of stainless steel calipers was $400. Can't imagine what they are now.

 

[SouthernRatter]

Damn that sucks... But like Gastrick said when compressing w/ a c-clamp I ussually use one of the old pads over the piston so you don't go to far and so it is compressed evenly.

 

[donsrods]

I've never rebuilt calipers, but Gastrick must be right about it being somewhat easy. My Son has a chrome plated set on the front of the T we are building for him, and they obviously had to take them apart to chrome them. If and when his start leaking we will have to try to rebuild them too.

I know what you mean about leaks and problems. The front seal started leaking on my T engine, and everything is new. I have only started it 3 times, so I hope it seats in when I start driving it, but I have my doubts and might have to pull the radiator and damper and fix it right.


Don

 

[joehalford01]

well i found a place that sells an 0-ring conversion kit that eliminates the issue. how hard are the calipers to take apart? i've never done this before, i can picture myself chucking a caliper across the lawn all the while cursing like a sailor

also, right on about the price, you can get them for less then $400 but it's just under, like 379 or something. the sad thing is that it jumps to $600 when you add in the core charge. I want to hold onto all the stock original parts on this car in case i ever decide to sell it and someone wants those so i wont be getting the core charge back. so i may be better off rebuilding them anyways.

on the other hand i could blow all my savings on a set of aluminum calipers for all four wheels. it'll only set me back $1500

 

[gassersgarage]

on the other hand i could blow all my savings on a set of aluminum calipers for all four wheels. it'll only set me back $1500

Yikes! Wait till you see what other pieces stamped "corvette" sells for.
For example, rotors cost twice as much for a vette as compared to a chevelle.

My wifes Audi parts are expensive, but the box is marked VW.

 

[joehalford01]

thanks for the courage guys. the brake line came off easily and the caliper is super simple once you start taking it apart. I bought a couple rebuild kits and brake lines for the front, speed bleeders, new grade eight bolts from osh, brake cleaner, and some red caliper paint. oh yeah, some skinny flap wheels to help get rust from the crevices too. i'm going to do the fronts first and see how it turns out. then do the rears and flush the whole system with new brake fluid.

so far i'm out $130 and thats including some tools. Should be under $200 by the time i'm done and it should look way better then just a set of rebuilt calipers, hopefully function well too. the new brake lines should help. i'll post some pics up when i get it done.