Rebuilding c3 calipers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Rebuilding c3 calipers
It seems like a pretty straight forward process to rebuild my C3 calipers. Although this will be my first attempt. These calipers are the original calipers that came with the car and have been rebuilt in the passed I was told. The previous owner had them sleeved already.... Any pointers before I attempt this? ( Lip seals or o-rings, etc.) Only one was leaking but all have been sitting since 98....I plan on re sealing all....thank, r
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Thanks, I have already watch this one... thanks again, R
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I like the O-Ring seals, don't seem to have as many problems with thenm.
Use compressed air to blow the pistons out of the calipers once you have them split, keep a rag over the piston and hold it there and just Pop the ait instead of blasting it, wear glasses and gloves. Clean them up, use fine crocus cloth to polish the sleeves. Put a little vaseline on the o-rings when reassembling.
Pretty easy job.
Use compressed air to blow the pistons out of the calipers once you have them split, keep a rag over the piston and hold it there and just Pop the ait instead of blasting it, wear glasses and gloves. Clean them up, use fine crocus cloth to polish the sleeves. Put a little vaseline on the o-rings when reassembling.
Pretty easy job.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I like the O-Ring seals, don't seem to have as many problems with thenm.
Use compressed air to blow the pistons out of the calipers once you have them split, keep a rag over the piston and hold it there and just Pop the ait instead of blasting it, wear glasses and gloves. Clean them up, use fine crocus cloth to polish the sleeves. Put a little vaseline on the o-rings when reassembling.
Pretty easy job.
Use compressed air to blow the pistons out of the calipers once you have them split, keep a rag over the piston and hold it there and just Pop the ait instead of blasting it, wear glasses and gloves. Clean them up, use fine crocus cloth to polish the sleeves. Put a little vaseline on the o-rings when reassembling.
Pretty easy job.
I'd use brake fluid as my lubricant, but certainly not a deal breaker. Replace the rubber lines while you're in there, they're cheap. Also get a motive power bleeder, good investment as you'll use it every 2-3 years to flush the system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Don't mean to be a spoil sport. I've replaced my Delco's with Stainless Steel Brake Corporation aluminum calipers. They are half the weight of Delco's. On the 68 and 70. Pricey. I think Wilwoods are less expensive. Not NCRS however. Hate brake caliper corrosion...silicon in the 68..stone hard pedal.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
IMO, spend the extra $ for the O-ring rebuild kit. Leave out the springs.
I rebuilt my calipers with lip seals, drove it a little and then dismantled the car. When I put the calipers back on they leaked. After the O-ring rebuild I have driven the car for 4 years without any leaks.
Rick B.
I rebuilt my calipers with lip seals, drove it a little and then dismantled the car. When I put the calipers back on they leaked. After the O-ring rebuild I have driven the car for 4 years without any leaks.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
IMO, spend the extra $ for the O-ring rebuild kit. Leave out the springs.
I rebuilt my calipers with lip seals, drove it a little and then dismantled the car. When I put the calipers back on they leaked. After the O-ring rebuild I have driven the car for 4 years without any leaks.
Rick B.
I rebuilt my calipers with lip seals, drove it a little and then dismantled the car. When I put the calipers back on they leaked. After the O-ring rebuild I have driven the car for 4 years without any leaks.
Rick B.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Thanks, I agree... I already bought a DIY bleeder similar to the Motive and special master cylinder cap to power/pressure bleed the system.. This I know is a must.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
In a previous post, you mentioned leaving out the springs. That's usually done when converting to o-rings. Most likely, me pointing out that this act displays a lack of understanding of why they're present in the first place which will start another war.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
One is not better than the other, they each have good points and bad points. This statement will probably set off another beating of the dead horse.
In a previous post, you mentioned leaving out the springs. That's usually done when converting to o-rings. Most likely, me pointing out that this act displays a lack of understanding of why they're present in the first place which will start another war.
In a previous post, you mentioned leaving out the springs. That's usually done when converting to o-rings. Most likely, me pointing out that this act displays a lack of understanding of why they're present in the first place which will start another war.
I am always willing to here a persons position but doesn't mean I will follow......r
.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
I'm not really concerned what others say. Just offer my experience with both types of seals over 15 years of Vette ownership. I had constant issues with the lip seals of air in the system. Not one issue of any type and a nice firm pedal always with oring seals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Right or wrong here is how I rebuilt mine. mike...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-calipers.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-calipers.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
My crystal ball says that you installed new rotors and didn't deal with the runout issue.