C3 Caliper question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Mitchellville Iowa
C3 Caliper question
I am preparing to try to get my 68 drivable. I am wondering if anyone knows a good source to get rebuilt calipers. I can get them from Auto Zone around here for $63 each. I figuired that is a pretty price. What do you guys think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Might not sit well with some, but I've found there are many things that can be picked up locally for a much better price, than can be had with the "specialty" stores.
When ordering parts for my 65 Mustang, I've run into this a lot. And I have found some of the same thing with regards the Vette.
Just recently I was checking prices on the Mr. Gasket parts for the fuel system issues I was having.
Local Advance Auto Parts was much cheaper than Summit, Jegs, etc, etc.
When ordering parts for my 65 Mustang, I've run into this a lot. And I have found some of the same thing with regards the Vette.
Just recently I was checking prices on the Mr. Gasket parts for the fuel system issues I was having.
Local Advance Auto Parts was much cheaper than Summit, Jegs, etc, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have heard good things about calipers from Auto Zone. Don't use Stainless Steel Brake Corp. Their base calipers are made in China and one of them leaked after about 25 miles on my car. It took them a month to fix it and get it back to me.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Nothing wrong with the local auto parts stores. Plus they wont discount your caliper cores like Corvettes specialists are prone to do. Also, locals can get the stuff quicker and probably cheaper too if they dont have them in stock. Calipers are not cheap to ship back either.
Last edited by Ironcross; Aug 14, 2007 at 10:28 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Got mine from auto Zone Very Happy Took my old ones in with me in an old drill box.dude was impressed. really they were AC delco the painted up great and LIFE TIME Warranty. they quit working take em back they give you a new one, have not done it yet but they honor all the rest of there warrantys with new parts.I was driving the vett an HOUR later not next week!!!!!!!
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mine are 2 years old now
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Get in the zone, man. What is also very nice is, if only ONE breaks...I can go in and....get just one. Like what happened to me a month or so ago. Got done replacing the master cylinder (from the zone), and blead my breaks, only to find that my rear left caliper was pretty rotted. I went to put the bleeder back in, the metal around the screw ribbons just fell away. I checked summit, and they had good prices, but only a four brake set. Not about to spend 400 bucks to fix stuff that aint' broke.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Just make sure you inspect the Autozone caliper before bothering to install it. I have had 2 of them leak due to a nick or gouge on the machined mating surface where the hose w/copper washer screws in. I even found a 3rd one with this problem, at least I caught it before taking it home. Probably comes from throwing the cores into a barrel.
The other thing is, they used to tell me (a few years ago) that they were stainless steel sleeved, now they can't tell me whether or not they truly are. (They can't seem to pull up the information.) But with a lifetime guarantee, if one goes bad you get a new one, and it's probably time to change your brake fluid at that point anyway.
Rich
The other thing is, they used to tell me (a few years ago) that they were stainless steel sleeved, now they can't tell me whether or not they truly are. (They can't seem to pull up the information.) But with a lifetime guarantee, if one goes bad you get a new one, and it's probably time to change your brake fluid at that point anyway. Rich
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Mitchellville Iowa
Thanks for all the info guys. I am thinking the exact same thing. If I buy them locally then I can get them warrantied as stated by some of you guys. They do have a core charge, but I have some cores so that is ok. The parts guy told me that they were ss sleeved, but who knows until I get them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
Another vote for AutoZone calipers.
I have had one fail on me (4 years now) but as AutoZone is just around the corner I was able to put the car on stands, pull the failed one, swap them out at AutoZone, and put the new one on...all before the beer got hot! Try that with a mail order/vendor. Your looking at a week on jack stands on the short side. The life-time warranty rocks. They also replaced my pads as they got soaked when the caliper failed...buy 'em once at Auto Zone.
Oh, word of caution - scan your receipt. The store near me uses those "disappearing ink" receipts. They are faded to blank in a few months.
I have had one fail on me (4 years now) but as AutoZone is just around the corner I was able to put the car on stands, pull the failed one, swap them out at AutoZone, and put the new one on...all before the beer got hot! Try that with a mail order/vendor. Your looking at a week on jack stands on the short side. The life-time warranty rocks. They also replaced my pads as they got soaked when the caliper failed...buy 'em once at Auto Zone.
Oh, word of caution - scan your receipt. The store near me uses those "disappearing ink" receipts. They are faded to blank in a few months.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Plumas Lake CA
I got a replacement caliper at my local autozone and it's been working fine. It was sleeved with the ss liner. They also put your info in their computer so you don't usually need a receipt to return something for warranty-related reasons.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
I thought the same thing - maybe it was a local problem in here AL but when they upgraded computer systems some of my older stuff didn't carry over. When we looked in the system - nada, zilch. I was able to show them the receipt and all was well but it was somewhat touch and go at first 
