Lip Seal vs O-ring calipers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
Lip Seal vs O-ring calipers
I'm looking to replace the complete brake system on the 76. 
Where to buy and what ones are better?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Where to buy and what ones are better?
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I haven't long asked this question myself and the answer seems to be down to personal choice. Some people swear by the lip seal, others swear by the 'O' rings. Do a search and read some of the opinions yourself...
If you do go the 'O' ring route, you won't get a better price than from tracdogg2 (Mike). Pm him
If you do go the 'O' ring route, you won't get a better price than from tracdogg2 (Mike). Pm him
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I went with O-ring style from VBP. Got them on sale, but havent driven the car yet so no opinion yet. Seems like the larger consensus here on the forum was stainless steel, o-rings...
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Really though, standard brake fluid allows for moisture to enter the system, which is the common failure for sitting Corvettes. With silicone fluid there's no moisture or water in the fluid, I'm not sure of the reason why but it's something I've read. When I first heard of o-ring seals I was and am still skeptical on the idea. I've seen many hydraulic cylinders and none of them have o-ring seals and there's a reason why. I'm thinking that a compression seal like the lip seal is good with the right fluid. With some people going with hydroboost there's extra pressure there. I would hate to have fluid leak out the seal after you have the car together and the fluid strips paint off of everything. Just my .02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I've read that lip seals fail through lack of use because the weight of the piston eventually pushes the seal slightly out of shape - permitting fluid to leak past the seal.
Apparently, with the standard lip seals and springs, air can enter your braking system if your discs have even slight runout. The spring pressure behind the pistons pushes the pad against the disc all the time and if the disc is not running true, the disc will push back against the pad and push the pistons back into the bore. This can cause the pistons to constantly be moving back and forth slightly in the bore allowing air to be sucked in.
'O' ring seals without the springs would allow any disc runout to push the pistons back and there they would stop until next time you pressed the pedal - no hydraulic pumping.
This is just what I have read from the forums and answers to questions I've asked.
Oh, the aircraft I currently work on runs a 3000psi hyd system and practically everything in it runs 'O' rings
Apparently, with the standard lip seals and springs, air can enter your braking system if your discs have even slight runout. The spring pressure behind the pistons pushes the pad against the disc all the time and if the disc is not running true, the disc will push back against the pad and push the pistons back into the bore. This can cause the pistons to constantly be moving back and forth slightly in the bore allowing air to be sucked in.
'O' ring seals without the springs would allow any disc runout to push the pistons back and there they would stop until next time you pressed the pedal - no hydraulic pumping.
This is just what I have read from the forums and answers to questions I've asked.
Oh, the aircraft I currently work on runs a 3000psi hyd system and practically everything in it runs 'O' rings
Last edited by saudivette; Dec 22, 2007 at 02:36 PM.
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