Caliper Seal Replacement..Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Caliper Seal Replacement..Question
Have one leaking brake caliper seal and have a couple questions prior to reinstall. ( one of 4 pistons leak)
One shop manual says a couple "Special" tools are needed..Are they ?
Previous owner told me he had the stainless brakes ( stainless sleeves I would guess) how do I know for sure once disassembled ??
Also...do you need a seal kit for SS sleeved calipers or will standard reseal kit be OK ??
Any other hints or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
One shop manual says a couple "Special" tools are needed..Are they ?
Previous owner told me he had the stainless brakes ( stainless sleeves I would guess) how do I know for sure once disassembled ??
Also...do you need a seal kit for SS sleeved calipers or will standard reseal kit be OK ??
Any other hints or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Last edited by joes74; Apr 25, 2005 at 06:28 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
I just did mine...the "special tool" I used was a .014 feeler gauge to push the lip of the seal into the bore as I apply slight pressure, I also use a flat body shop hammer to start the dust boot and finish it off with a smaller hammer and a brass drift punch.....when you disassemble, the "stainless sleeve" should be easy to recognize as it`s shiny compared to the caliper cast iron, there will be a line at the top and a ring down near the bottom of the bore separating the two surfaces......I would also buy a seal kit from VBP or lonestar (NOT Autozone or Pimp Boys, I had trouble with AZ seals), or even NAPA......And do ALL 4 while your at it..
.....redvetracr
.....redvetracr
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I bought last year a '67-'82 Corvette Caliper Seal Installer which is just kinda like a plastic pipe which is the same diameter as the seal. It also has a lip on it so it stays centered in the seal as you lightly "tap" the seal into place. Most people install their seals without this tool, but I like it myself.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
I bought last year a '67-'82 Corvette Caliper Seal Installer which is just kinda like a plastic pipe which is the same diameter as the seal.
Careful prying out the old dust seal, don't score the stainless sleave.
Mike
Went out and checked the socket size to press the rear dust seals in, 1 1/4". Also found that I had purchased a PVC coupling to do the rears next time. 1" coupling.
Last edited by KapsSA; Apr 25, 2005 at 02:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the responses.........still just one question remains: Regular seal kit or one for Stainless Sleeved caliper??? Same???
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly (pressing seals) ????
Thanks abunch
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly (pressing seals) ????
Thanks abunch
Last edited by joes74; Apr 25, 2005 at 02:01 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Originally Posted by joes74
Thanks for all the responses.........still just one question remains: Regular seal kit or one for Stainless Sleeved caliper??? Same???
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly (pressing seals) ????
Thanks abunch
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly (pressing seals) ????
Thanks abunch
Also, don't use paint thinner or gasoline to clean up the parts. Residue can eventually damage the new rubber parts. Use brake parts cleaner or denatured alcohol.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Originally Posted by joes74
Regular seal kit or one for Stainless Sleeved caliper??? Same???
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly
Almost forgot: Good idea to lighly coat the seals and bores with some brake fluid before assembly
....redvetracr
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
I purchased new SS calibers about 5 years ago and had them opertional for a couple of years, then let it sit for 2 years as I prep the body for painting. Now the fronts leak like there's a wide-open leak after 18 months of non-use. Anyone else seen this type of failure, and what to do about it?????
