I've never really messed with anything on the 'vette yet as far as brakes are concerned, but this weekend, on the roadtrip to Mackinac City car show (about a 4 hour ride one way) of course, on the way back the brake light goes on and stays on. Brake Pedal goes to the floor, very little brakes. It had been going on and off all day, I figured it was a brake line leak, but was hoping to get it home before that happened. Stopped at the next gas station, filled up the resevoir with about half a bottle of fluid, got her home with brakes ok. I haven't had a chance to check where the leak might be yet, but I'm just wondering if this is something that I could tackle myself, or if I should take it to a brake shop. I wouldn't mind saving some money, but if it is something you all feel is beyond a first timers abilities, please let me know. I have replaced pads on brakes before and that is it, never had to bleed lines, replace lines, whatever, which probably needs to be done. This will be the first real 'vette problem that I've had, so your advice is much appreciated. If you think I should bring it to a shop, does anyone have any recommendations as far as a place? I'm in Grand Rapids MI, so any advice on that would be appreciated as well.

 

You can do it yourself, simply not that hard.
Couple of recommendations;
If you have SS lined calipers, install the VBP O-Ring kit
Replace the flex lines
Flush and refill and bleed useing DOT5

If you don't have the SS Lined calipers, I would change them out, more $$

The o-ring kit is about $150, brake juice $30, flex lines $80 for SS.
you can get the whole caliper kit with o-rings and lines for about $500

Do a search in here, lots of threads and opinions.
I am installing mu o-ring kits in the calipers tonight I hope, depends on the hurricane

 

Not quite as easy as it sounds. If you can afford it, take it to a brake specialist.

 

Farming out the job to the pros is also quicker. Most of them will guarantee their work.

Replacing brakes on a Corvette is not beyond the abilities of the average shade tree mechanic, but that person needs to know a little something about what he/she is doing, and have the time and place to safely do the work.

For normal Corvette driving, the standard GM calipers and hoses are fine.

My advice would be to purchase a complete set of remanufactured stainless steel sleeved calipers. All the aftermarket providers carry these kits. Have your brake folks replace all four calipers, all four rubber hoses, and bleed the system.

Use your old calipers for cores.

 

Brake specialists? Have you seen these guys? Most have a tough time finding which end of the wrench to hold. If you can find someone who is OK and don't trust yourself or don't have the time take it there. Otherwise do it yourself. It is not that difficult. Take your time and do it right. Plenty of people here to help you out if you have questions.

 

Everyone's got to start somewhere. If you feel comfortable with a wrench, get a shop manual and dig in. If the brakes have never been overhauled, I'd recommend replacing the hard lines with stainless, the flex lines with braided stainless flex lines, and the calipers with stainless sleeved units (I don't think you can get anything else these days. It really isn't that hard, it just takes some time.

 

I really beleive that anything safety life related, which I feel brakes are, should be done right by someone who has done them before. If you have a friend who is a good mechanic, have him come over to your house and watch and assist him. That is the way you learn properly. I do not beleive in saving money when the end result is you lose your brakes doing 85 mph on a busy highway........................

 

What most likely happened was the seal in one of the calipers popped out. If that is the problem, the quick fix would be to trade in your caliper for a new one and bleed the brakes.

 

I agree, not all, but definately most of these guys are sub par and do that kind of nasty work because thats all they can get.
This work can be done by anyone with at least half a brain and a book, couple that with all the help available in here and you can do anything.

Orange, if you want to do it, give me a call and I'll walk you thru it and talk to you about all the options
561 573 0509

 

FWIW - Pay attention to the DOT number of your brake fluid also. DO NOT put DOT 5 fluid into a DOT 3/4 system and vice versa. Long story short - bad things happen.

 

I had my old Talon's brakes put together upside down by an idiot who was supposed to be a professional. No thanks, I'll make sure I know it's done right - because I've seen every bit of it go together. Brakes are actually pretty easy to work on.