First time with brakes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 207
Likes: 31
From: Fishers Indiana
First time with brakes
1974 convertible.
i have brake fluid leaking behind my right rear tire. not a bad leak and have been nursing by adding fluid to the master cylinder.
I've owned the car for a year and a half and have not worked on the brakes since i've owned it. i'm also unsure about how long its been since the brakes were serviced by the prior owner.
I'm going to take my car into a local Indy performance shop that does work on classic cars.
I want to make sure that the brakes get the proper attention they deserve as safety items.
I am unsure about what i should ask them to focus on and would welcome opinions. Should I ?
* Ask them to replace all four calipers, rotors, soft brake lines, and pads so i know that all has been updated ?
* Ask them to replace just certain components from the above list and inspect others ? if so - which ones to replace and which ones to inspect ?
* other considerations or thoughts ?
i have brake fluid leaking behind my right rear tire. not a bad leak and have been nursing by adding fluid to the master cylinder.
I've owned the car for a year and a half and have not worked on the brakes since i've owned it. i'm also unsure about how long its been since the brakes were serviced by the prior owner.
I'm going to take my car into a local Indy performance shop that does work on classic cars.
I want to make sure that the brakes get the proper attention they deserve as safety items.
I am unsure about what i should ask them to focus on and would welcome opinions. Should I ?
* Ask them to replace all four calipers, rotors, soft brake lines, and pads so i know that all has been updated ?
* Ask them to replace just certain components from the above list and inspect others ? if so - which ones to replace and which ones to inspect ?
* other considerations or thoughts ?
Last edited by vmsns007; Aug 1, 2017 at 12:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
FWIW: why not leave it to the shop to assess the system? They can then suggest your best course of action. My hunch says the rotors probably will not need to be replaced, but should be checked for run out and minimum thickness.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
if it is a rusted brake line then you are taking your life into your own hands every time you drive it. it could totally pop next time you drive it.
if it is just a seal leak where fluid is seeping around the seals then you have more time to solve. but it will get worse.
the shop can asses the problem, but from doing a complete job for complete safety and to satisfy their liability, they will want to do a complete job, rotors/calipers/ flex lines and hard lines. this = big bucks. also most shops can't assess rotor runout and solve that problem.
holler if you need help..
- joe
if it is just a seal leak where fluid is seeping around the seals then you have more time to solve. but it will get worse.
the shop can asses the problem, but from doing a complete job for complete safety and to satisfy their liability, they will want to do a complete job, rotors/calipers/ flex lines and hard lines. this = big bucks. also most shops can't assess rotor runout and solve that problem.
holler if you need help..
- joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 750
Likes: 180
From: Springfield Missouri
I would suggest looking into a kit such as this one. I replaced all 4 calipers on my 76 in 2013 and they are again leaking so I will be purchasing one of these kits myself.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-82-corv...pXWI5t&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-82-corv...pXWI5t&vxp=mtr
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 724
Likes: 112
From: Austin TX area
Agree with Mike and Joe. I would tell them you have leak and to access it. Than decide what you want done. It may not be the caliper. To give you an idea, I had one caliper not sleeved. Ended up taking that caliper to a place in Minneapolis, they charged me $35 a hole. Got the caliper back four ss sleeved holes, clean and painted. I rebuilt all the calipers.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 729
Likes: 118
From: Kelowna British Columbia
Just so you now they came with lip seals from the factory. These are prone to seepage especially if it sits a lot. When guys talk about stainless sleeves a lot of people go to the newer o-ring style that is better for a car sitting a bit. If yours have the sleeves you can add the new pistons to each with o rings and have more reliable brakes. For some who want car original they stay with the lip seal style that is original but your choice.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 207
Likes: 31
From: Fishers Indiana
Thanks to everyone for their input.
Joe - good to hear from you and hope all is well is with you.
I'm going to have RPM Performance on south side take a look at it. Just to set my expectations - when you say big bucks, what are you thinking ? I will do some research on runout as well to understand that issue.
Joe - good to hear from you and hope all is well is with you.
I'm going to have RPM Performance on south side take a look at it. Just to set my expectations - when you say big bucks, what are you thinking ? I will do some research on runout as well to understand that issue.
if it is a rusted brake line then you are taking your life into your own hands every time you drive it. it could totally pop next time you drive it.
if it is just a seal leak where fluid is seeping around the seals then you have more time to solve. but it will get worse.
the shop can asses the problem, but from doing a complete job for complete safety and to satisfy their liability, they will want to do a complete job, rotors/calipers/ flex lines and hard lines. this = big bucks. also most shops can't assess rotor runout and solve that problem.
holler if you need help..
- joe
if it is just a seal leak where fluid is seeping around the seals then you have more time to solve. but it will get worse.
the shop can asses the problem, but from doing a complete job for complete safety and to satisfy their liability, they will want to do a complete job, rotors/calipers/ flex lines and hard lines. this = big bucks. also most shops can't assess rotor runout and solve that problem.
holler if you need help..
- joe