Rebuilding Calipers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Rebuilding Calipers
I noticed a brake fluid stain of the inside of the L/F tire tonight, so I guess its time for some brake work.
The calipers were replaced with S/S sleeved units about 5 years ago, before I got the car, so I am hoping just the seals are worn.
Has anyone had any luck with the caliper rebuild kits that Vette Brakes sells?
I was looking at the o-ring pistons and rebuild kit. Unfortunately, the car is only driven MAYBE 200 or 300 miles a year, and the o-ring design seems to be geared for cars that sit a lot.
Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!!! :cheers:
Marc
The calipers were replaced with S/S sleeved units about 5 years ago, before I got the car, so I am hoping just the seals are worn.
Has anyone had any luck with the caliper rebuild kits that Vette Brakes sells?
I was looking at the o-ring pistons and rebuild kit. Unfortunately, the car is only driven MAYBE 200 or 300 miles a year, and the o-ring design seems to be geared for cars that sit a lot.
Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!!! :cheers:
Marc
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (shoptek)
I had SS calipers freeze up from bad brake fluid(moisture build up) and rebuilt them without any problems. I used the brake kits that Muskegon Brake,(Shawn Fox), sells work great and you save $$ over the cost of the kits a lot of other companies sell.I didn't need any special tools just a clean work bench and light.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (shoptek)
Yup, use the O ring pistons and kit from Vette Brakes....toss the springs behind the pistons away, and use DOT5 fluid, it's silicone so will not absorb water....
dot3-4 fluids will.....
GENE
dot3-4 fluids will.....
GENE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (mrvette)
"toss the springs behind the pistons away,..."
Never heard of doing this before...........is this advice / recommendation applicable ONLY if installing the O-Ring piston & seal kit, or does it apply equally to a rebuild using the OEM type pistons and seals? Why can / should you throw out / not use the factory installed piston springs? Having rebuilt a couple of these brake calipers myself, I can see why the installation would be easier not using the springs, just wonder about impact of spring removal on brake performance and reliability. Anyone else ever heard of not re-installing these springs????
Never heard of doing this before...........is this advice / recommendation applicable ONLY if installing the O-Ring piston & seal kit, or does it apply equally to a rebuild using the OEM type pistons and seals? Why can / should you throw out / not use the factory installed piston springs? Having rebuilt a couple of these brake calipers myself, I can see why the installation would be easier not using the springs, just wonder about impact of spring removal on brake performance and reliability. Anyone else ever heard of not re-installing these springs????
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (shoptek)
I'm at the same point. I've had 3 of my four SS calipers on for about 12 years. I have never rebuilt my own caliper. RedVetteRacer has sets of the O'ring kits for sale. So I'm in the debate mode over rebuild or getting 4.4 pound wilwoods designed for heavy circle track race cars.
Redvetteracer has something like 16 kits for sale.
Redvetteracer has something like 16 kits for sale.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Dover NH
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (mrvette)
People are inherintly slow to change, so when I read "toss the springs" I thought you were crazy - sort of like "you don't need all 5 of those lug nuts..."
Can you elaborate? I am always looking for tricks that work!
Can you elaborate? I am always looking for tricks that work!
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Racer
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Garner NC
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (Steve Grodin)
I had heard the same thing about not using the springs with the o ring pistons so I asked the guy at Vette brakes, he told me to reinstall the springs so I did. I haven't had any problems at all with them. I did notice that the o ring pistons when new would stay all the in even with the spring behind them. I don't know if this changes as they get used since I haven't taken them off yet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
Re: Rebuilding Calipers (CHEESERAL)
One of the reasons to use o-ring pistons is to help eliminate air pumping caused by rotor runout. Without the springs in the the caliper the piston doesn't have constant contact with the rotor. Hence less chance of getting air in the brake system from rotor runout.
