rebuild calipers?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
rebuild calipers?
has anyone had luck rebuilding brake calipers on a 81? are the pistons steel? rebuild kits are way cheaper than calipers and not that hard to do.I was just curious if it was worth rebuilding 24 year old calipers.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,713
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I think that if the calipers are original, it probably isn't worth the effort as they will not be stainless sleaved. The cylinders will likely be corroded. If, however, they are sleaved, the rebuild is pretty easy, economical and effective. I personally prefer the VB&P o-ring rebuilds as they are easier than the lip seal pistons and more effective at preventing pumping air into the rears.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Why bother? Buy them once from Autozone and you'll never have to pay for another set. They are also stainless sleaved now and only $60 bucks after you return the core.
Last week my left rear was leaking so I pulled it off along with the right rear (which was fine but getting old) and returned them to Autozone. No receipt needed, gave them my phone number and it shows they were bought in 2001. Got a new set and I walked out without paying a penny.
As long as Autozone doesn't go out of business it's all good!
Last week my left rear was leaking so I pulled it off along with the right rear (which was fine but getting old) and returned them to Autozone. No receipt needed, gave them my phone number and it shows they were bought in 2001. Got a new set and I walked out without paying a penny.
As long as Autozone doesn't go out of business it's all good!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you are so inclined you could buy the O-ring kit from VBP and get the rebuilt calipers from AZ and put the 2 together and have a set of O-ringed calipers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by gator79
has anyone had luck rebuilding brake calipers on a 81? are the pistons steel? rebuild kits are way cheaper than calipers and not that hard to do.I was just curious if it was worth rebuilding 24 year old calipers.
Same technology from 65 to 81, although the early caliper pistons had heat insulating pads screwed to the pistons and piston guides.
The original GM pistons are coated aluminum. They wear & corrode.
You can also buy aftermarket stainless pistons.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Think like a Cuban mechanic... why replace it if you can repair it? Not everyone who owns a Corvette is loaded with $100 bills to just go out and buy a new part. Although many on this forum must have huge amounts of disposable income, some don't but still want to enjoy the car.
my 74 had stainless in the front that cost $7.99 each to fix. a bench grinder with wirebrush cleaned up all the small parts. for the rear i had to buy a $10 hone to clean them up and the kits were $6.99.
if it were my daily driver, heck yeah i would buy new calipers. its fast and i gotta get to work tomorrow. but this is a Vette and probably a hobby. rebuilding was fun and cheaper.
even if they leak on you and only ONE holds, you saved money and had some fun in the garage. i say try it!
Oh! make sure the emergency brake works just in case the kits dont
my 74 had stainless in the front that cost $7.99 each to fix. a bench grinder with wirebrush cleaned up all the small parts. for the rear i had to buy a $10 hone to clean them up and the kits were $6.99.
if it were my daily driver, heck yeah i would buy new calipers. its fast and i gotta get to work tomorrow. but this is a Vette and probably a hobby. rebuilding was fun and cheaper.
even if they leak on you and only ONE holds, you saved money and had some fun in the garage. i say try it!
Oh! make sure the emergency brake works just in case the kits dont
