Front brake calipers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 41
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Front brake calipers
Hi All,
Front brake calipers need replacing on my 77. Car is all original including paint, interior & most items under hood except a few hoses. I'd like to keep it as original as possible but I'm on a budget. Any advice on best quality/value for new/rebuilt stainless calipers w/ o-rings? Any insight appreciated. Thanks!
Front brake calipers need replacing on my 77. Car is all original including paint, interior & most items under hood except a few hoses. I'd like to keep it as original as possible but I'm on a budget. Any advice on best quality/value for new/rebuilt stainless calipers w/ o-rings? Any insight appreciated. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 440
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
About 12 years ago I replaced all the callipers on our '78. I too run the car on a pretty tight budget, not helped by the shipping costs (and customs duty) to the UK or Europe! 
I couldn't get involved in core charges for rebuilt items (again, the shipping costs), so in the end I went with new S/S sleeved, O-Ring units from Ecklers. (Ecklers because I was visiting Florida for a vacation, so could collect them!) They were competitively priced, but no shipping charges helped enormously. They look stock and have worked perfectly ever since (I used to need to bleed the brakes annually and have not needed to since!), pull the car up straight, (the rolling road showed a couple of % difference in braking force per wheel) and I can lock all 4 wheels - don't ask!
There are other suppliers of course, Muskegon Brake, Corvette Central etc etc. Just compare costs and shipping charges. Based on my experience, I'd recommend SS/ sleeves and O-rings.
I wouldn't want to rebuild my own, brakes are just a bit too important for my untrained mechanical skills!
I couldn't get involved in core charges for rebuilt items (again, the shipping costs), so in the end I went with new S/S sleeved, O-Ring units from Ecklers. (Ecklers because I was visiting Florida for a vacation, so could collect them!) They were competitively priced, but no shipping charges helped enormously. They look stock and have worked perfectly ever since (I used to need to bleed the brakes annually and have not needed to since!), pull the car up straight, (the rolling road showed a couple of % difference in braking force per wheel) and I can lock all 4 wheels - don't ask! There are other suppliers of course, Muskegon Brake, Corvette Central etc etc. Just compare costs and shipping charges. Based on my experience, I'd recommend SS/ sleeves and O-rings.
I wouldn't want to rebuild my own, brakes are just a bit too important for my untrained mechanical skills!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
I use Auto Zone or Advance Auto...bought them once, 15 years ago and they have a lifetime warranty for exchange. They are SS sleeved as well but as little as I drive 2TONE82, they will leak over time at the seals. I just consider it part of the maintenance of enjoying a 30+ year old car. Changing calipers/pads (also covered under the warranty) out every five years or so is very simple once you've done it a couple times.
As for your originality question, I kept my original calipers, have them in a box, but honestly I didn't need to. The calipers have markings on them that you'll want to match up with the ones you're purchasing but they're literally millions of these out there. Just take your time at the store and have them keep pulling calipers until you find ones that match.
As for your originality question, I kept my original calipers, have them in a box, but honestly I didn't need to. The calipers have markings on them that you'll want to match up with the ones you're purchasing but they're literally millions of these out there. Just take your time at the store and have them keep pulling calipers until you find ones that match.
Last edited by 2TONE82; Dec 23, 2018 at 09:22 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
your store is not going to have 'several' calipers to choose from.
if your current calipers are stainless steel sleeved, then they are most likely not original.
calipers you buy at the store may or may not be stainless steel sleeved.
your original statement is you require to keep the car as original as possible. then you must rebuild your existing ones, if they are original.
so either rebuild them yourself or send them out to be rebuilt.
o-ring seals require new pistons and are therefor more expensive. Oring seals have a greater benefit on the back calipers, but both type of seals will do well on your fronts.
stainless steel sleeves merely corrode less thruout the years. if you need a 20 year solution in stead of a 5 year solution, then you will want stainless steel.
if your current calipers are stainless steel sleeved, then they are most likely not original.
calipers you buy at the store may or may not be stainless steel sleeved.
your original statement is you require to keep the car as original as possible. then you must rebuild your existing ones, if they are original.
so either rebuild them yourself or send them out to be rebuilt.
o-ring seals require new pistons and are therefor more expensive. Oring seals have a greater benefit on the back calipers, but both type of seals will do well on your fronts.
stainless steel sleeves merely corrode less thruout the years. if you need a 20 year solution in stead of a 5 year solution, then you will want stainless steel.
