Tony Mollick

Trying to replace rear calipers andbrake pads on my 76.

Calipers came from store with pistons out. Pushed them up in but the spring back. Not used to seeing that.

Couldn't get calipers on rotors with brake pads installed. Split calipers and sandwiched them into position on rotor. Also replaced metal lines with new.

Cant move back wheels now. Locked up tight. dropped into gear but wont budge back wkeels.

Anyone know what I did wrong? Didn't bleed them yet. Was hoping to back it out of garage to bleed brakes.

Amendment; The parkng brake cable was locking the wheels up. That much I corrected.

gbvette62

I can't say what's causing your problem, but it is typical for the pistons in Corvette calipers, to push out of the bore. Unless they are O-ring calipers, there's a spring behind each piston. The aftermarket makes a couple different tools, to hold the pistons closed and the pads back, to make calipers easier to install.

You probably need to bleed the calipers, but I would suggest removing the calipers first, and make sure the pistons aren't cocked or jammed, and reinstall the calipers without taking them apart. They can be installed assembled, and without using a caliper tool, it just takes a little effort and luck. Worse case, order one of the caliper tools, and use it to get the calipers on.

Below is one of the caliper tools available.

Brooklinite

You could also put a socket between the pads to hold them apart while you install the caliper and the rotor will push it out.

Tony Mollick

Thank you.

The problem with the rear wheels not moving was a stubborn parking brake cable.

Thanks for the advice too.

MelWff

are you aware of the amount of torque used to assemble the two halfs of the caliper? 130 ft/lbs

Mr D.

I'm going to say this is your problem. Never had a problem mounting a caliper with pads loaded.

hicswa

O boy Get a repair book.

redvetracr

are you sure??

Tony Mollick

Actually the splitting of the calipers andreassembly was the result of not being able to get them on whole.

Because f the advice here, I may just return these caipers and buy another setelsewhere an start over.

Tony Mollick

Tanks you for the advice. Are you postive of that 130 foot pounds?

MelWff

thats what it calls for the 1969 factory Chassis Service Manual but other sources distinguish between front and rear, front 130, rear 60

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...fications.html

I maybe found the years that torque numbers changed 74/75 but did the caliper bolt size change in the rear?

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...que-specs.html