Lip seal or O-ring replacement
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery County PA
Lip seal or O-ring replacement
1982 Vette. My rear right caliper was leaking. Removed and noticed one piston seal was leaking. Removed all pistons, springs and seals. Looks like the caliper is stainless steel sleeved. I've read nurmeous threads on the subject and can't decide. Should I rebuild with new lip seals or go the o-ring route. The stainless steel sleeves are in fine shape.
Will post a few pics later today as I'm in process of cleaning up the caliper. Thanks.
Will post a few pics later today as I'm in process of cleaning up the caliper. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Dont think it was an either or for GM. Lip seal do the job until rotor runout out causes them to become extremely effective air pumping seals. No runout issues, no problem.
On the other hand, O ring design eliminates the air pumping effect of lip seal caused by runout. Dont know of a negative reason not to use oring. Have had them since 1996, no problems.
On the other hand, O ring design eliminates the air pumping effect of lip seal caused by runout. Dont know of a negative reason not to use oring. Have had them since 1996, no problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
I replaced my calipers with SS lined and lip seals on July 6, 1993, about 45k miles ago, and have never had to touch them. O-rings may have some advantages but longevity doesn't necessarily seem to be one of them.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,947
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
I picked up a pair of high-heat rebuild kits for my rears. They are on the bench now as I prep for paint. I had bought regular o-ring rebuild kits, expecting to swap out the o-rings for high-heat versions separately, but then i found these and swapped kits with the manufacturer.
PM me if you would like a referral. The kits may not be online yet.
PM me if you would like a referral. The kits may not be online yet.
Last edited by Bikespace; Aug 6, 2018 at 06:37 AM. Reason: Autocorrect, tears for rears.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
I picked up a pair of high-heat rebuild kits for my rears. They are on the bench now as I prep for paint. I had bought regular o-ring rebuild kits, expecting to swap out the o-rings for high-heat versions separately, but then i found these and swapped kits with the manufacturer.
PM me if you would like a referral. The kits may not be online yet.
PM me if you would like a referral. The kits may not be online yet.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
oring seals require new pistons and therefore the cost is higher,
lip seals fit to the old pistons.
if they are leaking or pumping air due to excessive runout, then your only solution is to try oring seals, new lips seals will probably immediately start pumping air or leaking.
if you don't have runout issues, then lip seals will last just as long.
solving the root cause is a big headache as you need to find a mechanic that will set up your rear system with close to zero runout and he will want to rebuild your entire system with fresh bearings and new rotors, and will cost you into 4 figures.
if you use cheap bearings and chinese rotors, then your initial setup might be at best at max runout spec already... don't fool with any of this.. just rebuild with o ring seals and be done with it.
lip seals fit to the old pistons.
if they are leaking or pumping air due to excessive runout, then your only solution is to try oring seals, new lips seals will probably immediately start pumping air or leaking.
if you don't have runout issues, then lip seals will last just as long.
solving the root cause is a big headache as you need to find a mechanic that will set up your rear system with close to zero runout and he will want to rebuild your entire system with fresh bearings and new rotors, and will cost you into 4 figures.
if you use cheap bearings and chinese rotors, then your initial setup might be at best at max runout spec already... don't fool with any of this.. just rebuild with o ring seals and be done with it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
oring seals require new pistons and therefore the cost is higher,
lip seals fit to the old pistons.
if they are leaking or pumping air due to excessive runout, then your only solution is to try oring seals, new lips seals will probably immediately start pumping air or leaking.
if you don't have runout issues, then lip seals will last just as long.
solving the root cause is a big headache as you need to find a mechanic that will set up your rear system with close to zero runout and he will want to rebuild your entire system with fresh bearings and new rotors, and will cost you into 4 figures.
if you use cheap bearings and chinese rotors, then your initial setup might be at best at max runout spec already... don't fool with any of this.. just rebuild with o ring seals and be done with it.
lip seals fit to the old pistons.
if they are leaking or pumping air due to excessive runout, then your only solution is to try oring seals, new lips seals will probably immediately start pumping air or leaking.
if you don't have runout issues, then lip seals will last just as long.
solving the root cause is a big headache as you need to find a mechanic that will set up your rear system with close to zero runout and he will want to rebuild your entire system with fresh bearings and new rotors, and will cost you into 4 figures.
if you use cheap bearings and chinese rotors, then your initial setup might be at best at max runout spec already... don't fool with any of this.. just rebuild with o ring seals and be done with it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery County PA
Thank you all - bought (2) O-ring rebuild kits as I have SS sleeves from CSSBINC. New springs, pistons, O-rings, dust boots, bleeders, caliper o-ring, brake pad pin. Cleaned up calipers and painted black, will post pics once completed. Thanks