Brake Rebuild for a 73
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Brake Rebuild for a 73
I'm brand new to the Corvette arena. Bought a 73 conv last year. Within the first month of driving, got cut off by someone running a redlight. Brakes worked fine to avoid the crash, but by the time I got home, the pedal was going all the way to the floor. The next day had fluid on the floor by the front left tire. Before I could troubleshoot, I was sent overseas by the Reserves. The car has now sat for over a year in this condition. I'm looking for recommendations since the rear chamber of the MC is empty. Should I do a full brake overhaul (all 4 calipers, steel lines and hoses)? Also, any suggestions on best place to purchase parts. Finances limited due to layoff, but I don't want the car to sit any longer. All help appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
You said the rear half of the MC is empty, is the front low at all?
When you brake, you use a more of your front breaks than you do the rear, which might be why you were able to stop. Sounds to me like you might have blown some caliper piston seals. If all of your break components are original, a complete overhaul is usually the best thing, but certainly not the only.
If I were you, I would pull off one of the rear calipers. I'm going to take a guess and say that you will find one of them soaking with fliud, or atleast discolored from where the fluid had dried on the caliper. You can buy a caliper rebuild kit for $13.95 at Corvette Central\ and rebuild them yourself. That's what I did and it worked fine. Also, if you don't have one already, I would recommend investing in a Haynes Manual. You can get them at any local parts stores for around $15. I have used it for absolutely everything.
Hope this helps.
When you brake, you use a more of your front breaks than you do the rear, which might be why you were able to stop. Sounds to me like you might have blown some caliper piston seals. If all of your break components are original, a complete overhaul is usually the best thing, but certainly not the only.
If I were you, I would pull off one of the rear calipers. I'm going to take a guess and say that you will find one of them soaking with fliud, or atleast discolored from where the fluid had dried on the caliper. You can buy a caliper rebuild kit for $13.95 at Corvette Central\ and rebuild them yourself. That's what I did and it worked fine. Also, if you don't have one already, I would recommend investing in a Haynes Manual. You can get them at any local parts stores for around $15. I have used it for absolutely everything.
Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Also have a 73 vert so good choice but I also jus went through something similar. My brakes never failed but became squishy and fought with them for a long time. Since one chamber is empty and you saw fluid at one corner, you either have a bad line, connection or seal.
With mine I went with a complete rebuild (other than the main hard lines running down the car). I used the VBP sport kit for the C3 and have been extremely happy with it. They have new stainless steel sleeves which are supposed to solve the issues of the c3 calipers. Kit is great and I am extremely happy with the results. Since it sound like you are on a budget, this may not be an option for you so maybe just rebuild all 4 calipers, inspect / replace lines and flush the system you will likely be in pretty good shape.
Shane
With mine I went with a complete rebuild (other than the main hard lines running down the car). I used the VBP sport kit for the C3 and have been extremely happy with it. They have new stainless steel sleeves which are supposed to solve the issues of the c3 calipers. Kit is great and I am extremely happy with the results. Since it sound like you are on a budget, this may not be an option for you so maybe just rebuild all 4 calipers, inspect / replace lines and flush the system you will likely be in pretty good shape.
Shane
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,164
Likes: 3,966
From: Connecticut, USA
Welcome back home, I wish all you guys were coming home.
As to your question,you have a very common problem with corvettes that has been around from 65-82 so don't feel bad. Do you know the history of the car at all? Did the previous owner install SS calipers or check runout?
I would go through the whole system. I use Muskegon Brake and I like their brake kits. they come with everything you're going to need less any rotor or runout issue.
You have to check the rotor thickness and runout before you install the new calipers and hoses. All new calipers will leak or give you a soft pedal if the runout is over .003" total per rotor. Look at the rear rotors to see if they still have the rivets in them. If not then someone has been in there before- maybe to fix the PB or replace the rotor.
Check the archives there should be a lot of info there that will save me retyping the whole job. If you have questions ask, we can get the brake system working great but it will take some time and money.
Gary
As to your question,you have a very common problem with corvettes that has been around from 65-82 so don't feel bad. Do you know the history of the car at all? Did the previous owner install SS calipers or check runout?
I would go through the whole system. I use Muskegon Brake and I like their brake kits. they come with everything you're going to need less any rotor or runout issue.
You have to check the rotor thickness and runout before you install the new calipers and hoses. All new calipers will leak or give you a soft pedal if the runout is over .003" total per rotor. Look at the rear rotors to see if they still have the rivets in them. If not then someone has been in there before- maybe to fix the PB or replace the rotor.
Check the archives there should be a lot of info there that will save me retyping the whole job. If you have questions ask, we can get the brake system working great but it will take some time and money.
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Just went through this last fall, brakes are not something to do only a partial job on. Go through the entire system as others have suggested, I used VB & P and rebuilt all calipers and replaced the brake lines (rubber) with stainless lines....bleeding was the hardest part 
then your good to go........
then your good to go........
