Caliper Issues?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Caliper Issues?
I have replaced the rusted up stock calipers with some from advance (I work there) but before I got out of the driveway the front passenger side blew. So I swapped it again. Then I finnally got it on the road and after around 40 miles of driving I noticed two more puddles of brake fluid beneath the front calipers. The brand I started with was cardone but my manager has agreed to even swap the defective ones for some bendix rebuilt ones. Is there something Im doing wrong or is this a common thing with our 4 piston cailiper+cheap company? Any tips comments are appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
I have purchased complete sets of cardone calipers from Advance
Auto for several cars and have not had any problems. Possibly there
were rust particles in the brake fluid from the old calipers. If you
compressed the pistons while removing the calipers this would force the
fluid up into the brake lines and then into the new calipers.
Or maybe there was a bad run of rebuilt calipers. When I purchased the calipers I had a question and called Cardone directly. I was able
to speak to a technical person who researched my question and took
the time to call me back. So you might give them a call.
Auto for several cars and have not had any problems. Possibly there
were rust particles in the brake fluid from the old calipers. If you
compressed the pistons while removing the calipers this would force the
fluid up into the brake lines and then into the new calipers.
Or maybe there was a bad run of rebuilt calipers. When I purchased the calipers I had a question and called Cardone directly. I was able
to speak to a technical person who researched my question and took
the time to call me back. So you might give them a call.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by Lee H
I'm betting you have a defective cooper chrush washer.
Make sure the fluid is coming from the piston B4 replacing.The copper washers are notorious for leaking - more so if not tightened to the max.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I had two bad calipper from AZ. The first one had a stripped thread (where the brake line screws in), the second had a bad spot face so the copper washer wouldn't seal.... they exchange the calippers without problems, their warranty is great.
I should have noticed this before I installed the calippers
I should have noticed this before I installed the calippers
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Aubrey TX
Also check that the bolts that hold the caliper halfs together are tight. There is a O ring between the halfs that seals the fluid transfer path from side to side of the caliper. I replaced my calipers with one from Autozone and had a leak on one in this area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,339
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
Exactly, they go between the line and caliper. Make sure both the hose and caliper surfaces are clean and smooth. Also, make sure they are using a copper washer and not something else that is preventing it from sealing well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Well the idiot installer (me) didnt know what the washers were for that solves that problem. Pretty much any wrench time on this car will be my first other than assisting my father so I guess mistakes are a part of the experiance.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Another thing you can do to have great brakes is use the AZ calipers and install VB&P O-ring kits in the caliper halves. I did this on my rears when I installed my O-Ring kit and have not had brake problem in 5 years. 