Brake calipers needed
#1
Brake calipers needed
Hello All,
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
#2
Le Mans Master
I bought my calipers at Autozone. Lifetime warranty.
For carpet I like that Willcox worked with a vendor to make it fit better so I'd order from him. https://willcoxcorvette.com/
He is a sponsor here and spends time answering questions.
For carpet I like that Willcox worked with a vendor to make it fit better so I'd order from him. https://willcoxcorvette.com/
He is a sponsor here and spends time answering questions.
#6
Le Mans Master
SS calipers
Before you replace anything, I would remove a caliper and open it up to see if they have been sleeved in stainless steel. If so, you can rebuild them with a kit that contains new pistons, O-rings and seals for about $150. If they have not been sleeved, you can send them out to Vette Brakes and Products or Bairs for sleeving and rebuilding. Stick with Delco castings. Jerry
#7
Hello All,
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
Plus they didn't cost a fortune.....
#8
Melting Slicks
Before you replace anything, I would remove a caliper and open it up to see if they have been sleeved in stainless steel. If so, you can rebuild them with a kit that contains new pistons, O-rings and seals for about $150. If they have not been sleeved, you can send them out to Vette Brakes and Products or Bairs for sleeving and rebuilding. Stick with Delco castings. Jerry
#9
#11
#12
Hello All,
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
I just purchased a 79 and need to replace all the calipers and brake hoses, I see summit has a complete replace set for 600 bucks. But I need some advice on replacement parts, I don't need the best brake system just something that is not junk. I also need to find a place that has a decent carpet replacement for this car. any suggestions would be helpful since I am new to finding corvette parts. Thanks Jeff
Mike
#14
I bought my calipers at Autozone. Lifetime warranty.
For carpet I like that Willcox worked with a vendor to make it fit better so I'd order from him. https://willcoxcorvette.com/
He is a sponsor here and spends time answering questions.
For carpet I like that Willcox worked with a vendor to make it fit better so I'd order from him. https://willcoxcorvette.com/
He is a sponsor here and spends time answering questions.
I have had 3 of the last 5 calipers ( o-ring new delco moraine ) leak with in a 4 year period.
So when you purchase from Autozone ask what life time realy covers.
If they cover the piston and seal from leaking then it sounds much better than the corvette vendors misleading advertising.
#15
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: South Western Ontario
Posts: 11,061
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We used a VBP caliper kit on Dad's 78 about 4 years ago. 4 stainless sleeved calipers, pads, hoses, steel lines that go along the rear trailing arms and fluid for $400. Add a little more you get a master as well. Might as well replace all the parts at once and get reliable brakes.
I'm not a big fan of o-ring calipers but that's a personal feeling that changing the piston and seal design just isn't the best idea. The C3 calipers are designed with springs behind the pistons to keep the slack out of the brakes and the o-ring calipers get rid of that spring and can allow the pistons to knock back more.
I'm not a big fan of o-ring calipers but that's a personal feeling that changing the piston and seal design just isn't the best idea. The C3 calipers are designed with springs behind the pistons to keep the slack out of the brakes and the o-ring calipers get rid of that spring and can allow the pistons to knock back more.
#16
Le Mans Master
We used a VBP caliper kit on Dad's 78 about 4 years ago. 4 stainless sleeved calipers, pads, hoses, steel lines that go along the rear trailing arms and fluid for $400. Add a little more you get a master as well. Might as well replace all the parts at once and get reliable brakes.
I'm not a big fan of o-ring calipers but that's a personal feeling that changing the piston and seal design just isn't the best idea. The C3 calipers are designed with springs behind the pistons to keep the slack out of the brakes and the o-ring calipers get rid of that spring and can allow the pistons to knock back more.
I'm not a big fan of o-ring calipers but that's a personal feeling that changing the piston and seal design just isn't the best idea. The C3 calipers are designed with springs behind the pistons to keep the slack out of the brakes and the o-ring calipers get rid of that spring and can allow the pistons to knock back more.
This concept reminds about cars today with lifetime transmission fluid...no such thing...the tranny is guaranteed to fail early if the fluid is not changed....once the car is out of warranty. My lawn tractor had a sealed Tecumseh transaxle that was failing early on many tractors. I kept it alive by making sure the fan was clean after every cutting and eventually Tecumseh offered a service kit for the transaxle fluid but after too long a period...I changed the fluid with thier kit but it lasted only 3 years longer from that change date...too long too late on the OEM fluid. The replacement transaxle just had the fluid changed by me at 4 years...Amsoil synthetic hydrostatic fluid after 4 years on the OEM fluid...and will be changed every 4 years moving foward.
Last edited by jb78L-82; 08-31-2015 at 06:20 AM.
#17
Race Director
Is the warranty similar to how some of the corvette vendors market their calipers "life time warranty limited" , what this actually means they only warranty the casting and the SS sleeve from leaking between the casting. They dont warranty the piston or the seal. The important part that makes the caliper work as a brake.
I have had 3 of the last 5 calipers ( o-ring new delco moraine ) leak with in a 4 year period.
So when you purchase from Autozone ask what life time realy covers.
If they cover the piston and seal from leaking then it sounds much better than the corvette vendors misleading advertising.
I have had 3 of the last 5 calipers ( o-ring new delco moraine ) leak with in a 4 year period.
So when you purchase from Autozone ask what life time realy covers.
If they cover the piston and seal from leaking then it sounds much better than the corvette vendors misleading advertising.
#18
Le Mans Master
Is the warranty similar to how some of the corvette vendors market their calipers "life time warranty limited" , what this actually means they only warranty the casting and the SS sleeve from leaking between the casting. They dont warranty the piston or the seal. The important part that makes the caliper work as a brake.
I have had 3 of the last 5 calipers ( o-ring new delco moraine ) leak with in a 4 year period.
So when you purchase from Autozone ask what life time realy covers.
If they cover the piston and seal from leaking then it sounds much better than the corvette vendors misleading advertising.
I have had 3 of the last 5 calipers ( o-ring new delco moraine ) leak with in a 4 year period.
So when you purchase from Autozone ask what life time realy covers.
If they cover the piston and seal from leaking then it sounds much better than the corvette vendors misleading advertising.
Called ahead so they could order one. Walked in with caliper, walked out with a new one. No questions asked.
It's been a year now and no leaks. I do paint mine though to keep them nice looking.
#19
If this is a case no point using any of the corvette vendors for stock calipers. Life time without question you cannot get better than that.
#20
I keeper replacing my calipers constantly for years with autozone ones. They stuck by the warranty but the parts were no good. Around 2006 installed 4 SS sleeved O ring calipers from VBP and have not had any issues.