Richard Cooper

I was thinking about rebuilding my brake calipers. The car has been sitting for over 2 years while I save up some money for a new crate motor. I would like to remove my calipers, clean them up and paint them. I thought I would rebuild them while I have them off the car. Is this a big deal to do? TIA

BigBlockTank

Depending on your mechanical ability, no it's not too hard. I would do 1 caliper at a time, if this is your first time doing it. I did 1 of mine right before a car show, it still isn't leaking, so it worked well. I now have all new seals, pistons, and O rings. As soon as I get the heat-A/C projsect done, that's the next on the list.

You will get a few people to tell you the way to go is to change them for new O ring stainless steel sleeved calipers. I like to fix a problem, not replace it. I'm a mechanic, not a R&R person.

R&R = remove and replace


BBTank

stinger12

You can rebuild them yourself - it isn't hard. I did it myself for the first time, pretty easy.

kdf1986

I have rebuilt the calipers on my vette before. It is pretty easy and straight forward. There is a small o ring between the caliper halves that you need to pay attention to. Otherwise, taking off the old parts, cleaning out the insides of the calipers and putting in new rubber parts and seals is an easy thing to do.

I also painted mine while they were apart. I masked of the inside so that I did not get paint in the bores, and they came out great.

kdf

1nicecorvette

listen!!!! they worked before you came along and they worked after. rebuild em and they will work for another 15 plus years!! and....youll have extra money in your pocket for that crown air freshiner you always wanted

killain

I had a lot of problems with the calibers on my 79, I replaced them with stainless sleaved 'O'ring caliber from Vett Brakes & products and never had another problem. Only my $0.02

Richard Cooper

Thanks to all, I will rebuild them myself. As suggested I will do one at a time, I am in no hurry. I might even get the halves powder coated.

kdf1986

Powder coating will make them look great. Just dont powder coat the bores.

kdf

BigBlockTank

I would suggest that if you do the powder coat route, do a fron and a rear at the same time. That way you still a "chinese blueprint"(as we call it at work when we have to walk out to look at what we're working on, on thte plane). Save yourself a little time too.

KapsSA

Rebuild them yourself only if they have been previously SS sleeved. If they're not sleeved, don't bother.

BigBlockTank

Why not bother? I don't have $6-800 to spend on my brakes right now. I just want a brake that works as good asa they did in 1969. Is that a no-no? I understand technology is out there, but was 69 technology that bad that it all has to be replaced?
I am trying to envoke an answer, not an attitude, honest, I'd like your point of view. I've done the same thing for so long, maybe I need to learn something else, or in this case, maybe a better way. Thanks, Tank

cvnobles

I think he was trying to say that if the calipers you have the ss sleeves in them they will last if you rebuild them. If they dont have the ss sleeves in them it will eat the seal right back out because the bores inside the calipers will be pitted. I am researching this now also, and have been told auto zone has calipers already rebuilt for $60 (with core) ea, and have stainless sleeves in them
Hope this helps

KapsSA

The bores are simply cast iron and rust. Would need a lot of honeing to get out any pits.
I had original calipers on all 4 of my low mile Vettes when I purchased each of them. Upon disassembly when leaks first developed the bores were pretty bad.
Had 2 original sets sleeved and rebuilt years ago, but have since even needed to rebuild a couple of them. Even the SS sleeves need honeing sometimes.
I just don't think it's worth messing with the porous cast iron.

Odds are, most nicer condition C3s on the road today have the sleeves now anyway.

BigBlockTank

OK, my bad. I forgot to mention inspecting the bores. I already rebuilt 1 of mine and all that was wrong, was a bad seal, and really bad rusty sludge inside. The piston was corroded too. I have all the parts to rebuild all 4, just as soon as I get done with heat and a/c stuff, waiting on parts and stuff.

There is no way I'm giving up a set of calipers to anybody other than a Covette parts rebuilder. Mine are the original ones.

I think I'd go to Auto Zone and check one of these calipers out, befoer I spent my money.

I'm still gonna rebuild mine, and fix any problems that present themselves.

I can make airplanes fly mach 3+, I can fix Corvette brakes, I'm sure!!

BigBlockTank

So, there is trouble either way, is that what you're saying? Trouble is trouble, stainless steel or pourous cast iron.

Now, why would I spend money for SS if they, too, have to be worked, just as cast iron? Again, trying to learn.

BTW, the one caliper that I rebuilt had no pit in the bores. Wiped clean.

(I've been told my C3 is one of the nicer examples on the road, and at shows, so I'm not in the "odds are".)

KapsSA

I also flush my brakes every 4 years(one Vette a year).
First time I did each one you can't imagine the crap that came out.
My 78 Pace Car with only 25 miles on it(yeah, one of those)promptly started leaking from 2 calipers after the first flushing back in 2000. Cast iron bores were ridged from the rust. Not a leak since rebuilding them with SS sleeves.
I've rebuilt all 4 calipers on my black79 that I've had for 25 years even tho they were sleeved back in the early 90s.

KapsSA

Muskegon Brakes redid my original calipers. Actually I believe they send em to Lone Star for rebuilding.
I believe they now charge $80 each with about a month turn around.
My problem is lack of use. My Vettes have a better chance of brake problems than one that is driven daily.
Moisture is the enemy! And the rubber just deteriorates over time, but with the SS sleeves it's just less of a problem rebuilding after a leak.

cvnobles

There is no way I'm giving up a set of calipers to anybody other than a Covette parts rebuilder. Mine are the original ones.
I think I'd go to Auto Zone and check one of these calipers out, befoe I spent my money





I would want to keep my originals also. I have never had alot of luck with rebuilt auto zone parts from past experiences. Not saying (for all the AZ fans) those are not ok, but I would still keep my originals, and rebuild those if they were ss lined.

cvnobles

Has anyone tried the silicone brake fluid? I have been told it is good for the moisture problem, but will not perform as well under extreme braking conditions (fluid will compress).

BigBlockTank

DOT 4, I don't think it's worth the time, money and effort. My son works for a really good race car/hot rod shop in town. He gave me 3 or 4 reasons why not to do it, and I forgot. Going to DOT 5 is not worth it either, IMHO.
I'm staying with DOT 3.