Rebuild or replace brake caliper?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
IF your calipers have been replaced, they will probably be sleeved. If not, then they probably need to be. Unless you have an attachment to them, is way easier to just get remans from your local parts store.
They're pretty easy to rebuild yourself with just a seal kit, but if the bores are pitted they'll need sleeves anyway.
They're pretty easy to rebuild yourself with just a seal kit, but if the bores are pitted they'll need sleeves anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
In the spring of 2012 I bought 2 front calipers from my local NAPA. Since then I have replaced the left one twice and the right one three times. They simply start leaking at the seals. I have great doubts about the big-box store remans. I bought o-ring style from CSSB through Ecklers. You can buy direct. I would consider them or Lonestar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 596
and it "doesn't matter which brand"
here is my pile of lonestar calipers. Total 9.
I now have wildwood D8-4 , still no long term report since these are now on year 3. I use my car for track days so the rebuilds don't take the heat and the seals fail in 1-2 years. If you had calipers from 12 years ago most of them are still working fine. Find a store that provides the best warranty and plan to do the work your self. You will be replacing them again. Or try to rebuilding your self. Same amount of work and less money to spend if it fails.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Apr 23, 2018 at 09:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
I bought my calibers and m/c from local autozone over 20 years ago.i paid no shipping and they gave me lifetime warrentty.Have used the warrentty twice. had to wait till next day and no shipping charges. local works for me .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 651
From: Thunder Bay
I installed replacement calipers from Vette Brakes about 25 years ago when I first got the car. Replaced them with another set from Vette Brakes about five years ago when they started leaking. Unfortunately I understand Vette Brakes isn't the company they used to be. Still, I think if you buy good stainless steel sleeved calipers from a good company that specializes in Corvettes, you should expect good life, and if they start to leak, you can rebuild them. I would have rebuilt mine, but I was in a hurry to get the car ready for a road trip art the time. FWIW I'm not convinced O-ring calipers are a good idea. There's nothing wrong with the original design.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 596
You can try this method to bleed the MC while it is still on the car. Worked great when I change my MC.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-cylinder.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
That makes 2 of us. The local AutoZone works out great for Delco Moraine Corvette calipers. There's so many A-Z's out there that if 1 don't have it the other store 15 minutes away does. Throw in the warranty and savings on shipping and its a great deal.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 29
From: Moyock NC
In the spring of 2012 I bought 2 front calipers from my local NAPA. Since then I have replaced the left one twice and the right one three times. They simply start leaking at the seals. I have great doubts about the big-box store remans. I bought o-ring style from CSSB through Ecklers. You can buy direct. I would consider them or Lonestar.