Caliper rebuilding help

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Nov 14, 2009 | 06:48 AM

Lousarr

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: Staten Island NY

Caliper rebuilding help

My previously S/S sleeved calipers are leaking after about 12 yrs. time. I bought the rebuilding kit but dont know how to take them apart to start. I dont want to start forcing the pistons out with out some knowledge first.this is the place to get it....Thanks Louie

Nov 14, 2009 | 11:45 AM

magelin

Instructor

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 247

Likes: 0

From: San Diego / Los Angeles CA

PM sent

Nov 14, 2009 | 05:21 PM

kortensi

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,212

Likes: 0

From: San Antonio TX

Hey Louie,

I recently rebuilt mine as well. You can see the process I went through about halfway down this page:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...1-pics-34.html

Also, an impact wrench was necessary to take the calipers apart.

Let me knoe if you have any questions.

KO

Nov 15, 2009 | 09:01 AM

69 Chevy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,200

Likes: 3

From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania

The sleeves themselves might be leaking fluid. If so, you're wasting your time replacing the puck seals.

Nov 15, 2009 | 07:05 PM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

Likes: 11

From: North Easton Mass

Push the piston all the way in and use the tip of a screwdriver to pop the dust seal free. The piston acts as the fulcrum. Once the dust seal is loosened the whole assembly lifts right out.

I'd recommend considering an O-ring rebuild kit. 12 years without leaks is a great achievement. My brakes leaked after sitting off the car for 3 years so I decided to spend the extra $ and get an O-ring rebuild kit. The brakes have been on for a week so far and no leaks!

Rick B.

Nov 16, 2009 | 05:47 PM

Ironcross

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 12,142

Likes: 54

From: Taylor Michigan

What kills brakes whether disc or conventional, OE or aftermarket repair parts is moisture in the fluid that develops over time that turns into rust cutting the seals and allowing them to start leaking and then the loss of the brakes....Unfortunately brake fluid attracts moisture as like a 'catch 22'. If one piece of the system leaks, the rest is not far behind...Frequent complete flushes with fresh fluid help to prevent the rust from forming..

Nov 17, 2009 | 08:55 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

Likes: 263

From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

an old trick is to use loosen the bolts holding the two halves of the calpes togethr while the caliper is mounted to the car.....its kind of like a big vise that doesnt move.....these can take a lot of torque to loosen

Nov 17, 2009 | 09:27 PM

GUSTO14

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 8,812

Likes: 2,029

From: eastern NC

You can also use compressed air (into the hole for the brake line) to pop the pistons and seals out of the caliper. Place a small block of wood into the space between the pistons to keep the pistons from slamming into each other and be sure to keep your fingers out of the way when you hit it with some air. They will definitely "pop" out so be careful.

I agree with breaking the caliper half bolts loose while the caliper is still mounted to the spindle. Otherwise an impact wrench will likely be necessary.

I bought the complete rebuild kit from VB&P and it came with everything necessary to rebuild the calipers including new bolts to hold the calipers together and new bolts to mount them on the caliper brackets.

Good luck... GUSTO