Replacing Front Calipers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon CA.
Replacing Front Calipers
65 vert...new brakes, non-power......might have to replace the 2 front calipers due to some leakm issues...QUESTION- What is the best way to tackle the front caliper replacement? Do I have to drain the entire system? Is there a way to plug lines while I replace the calipers and front hoses? Any help is appreciated...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,619
Likes: 14
From: MA
You don't have to drain the system. After disconnecting you can plug the line with a dowl or something else that would fit. Even if you don't plug the line, there's only so much fluid that will leak out because the lines rise up from the frame. You will have to bleed after the new calipers are installed. A pressure bleeder is the way to go. If you have rubber lines to the calipers and they're not new, replacing them is cheap and easy. Stainless braided lines are a nice upgrade too. And if the rear calipers are the same age as the front, replacing them may not be a bad idea too. It appears you're going over the whole car.
larry
larry
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Disconnect the rubber line from the steel line. Plug the steel line with a golf tee, or a rubber plug that you might put on a vacuum line. You may even try twisting the corner of a paper towel into a cone and inserting it (as if you were trying to clean your ear with it 
)
Remove the caliper
Install new caliper, rubber hose, new copper washer
Remove golf tee/plug/papertowel from steel line and connect rubber hose.
Do other caliper.
Bleed brakes.
Done.
)Remove the caliper
Install new caliper, rubber hose, new copper washer
Remove golf tee/plug/papertowel from steel line and connect rubber hose.
Do other caliper.
Bleed brakes.
Done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,619
Likes: 14
From: MA
Here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2149013 you said new calipers we installed. The leaky calipers are new?
larry
larry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon CA.
Thanks for the replies, YES the calipers are new, rebuilt originals from Lone Star (I think thats the company). I put on new rubber lines as well. I think the front calipers might have been nicked at the hose inlet, so I cannot get a complete seal. A reply to one of my other posts about the leak said sometimes the rebuilt calipers have this issue....Thanks for the advice
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 489
From: Florida
I found my lingering weeping to be originating at the bleeders. The seats were poorly redone, if at all, and two would never seal. You can see how it seats by the pattern it leaves on the bleeder.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
I replaced my front calipers a couple of months ago. I had an issue with one of the calipers actually leaking through the cast iron body! It appeared to have been a bad casting from the factory with small pinholes in the metal. When they sandblasted them in the rebuild process it must have been just enough to expose the pinholes. You could see it seeping from the cast iron when you put a lot of pressure on the pedal. It looked like sweat!