how long should brake calipers last?

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Jun 9, 2007 | 10:40 AM

masterspydog

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how long should brake calipers last?

Hope everyone else is doing good. I purchased the total kit from VB&P jan -06. then this tuesday I got a soft pedal - which I traced back to the front right caliper leaking. I have approx 3k on the brakes total time, just seems like a VERY short run time for the SS "upper line" brake kit.
Has anyone else had this problem or got a solution to help out.

Thanks
Scott

Jun 9, 2007 | 11:00 AM

Matt Gruber

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From: central FL, near the beach.

100 years for the sleeves.
seals will leak as soon as they get dirty.
i've cleaned mine ~4-5 times in 17 yrs. one leaked in 6 mos. it lasted 8 yrs last time.
no parts needed, just cleaning. and 2 boxes of pads

Jun 9, 2007 | 11:18 AM

masterspydog

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Thanks - will try that today.

Jun 9, 2007 | 02:42 PM

Solid LT1

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From: Fremont CA

Are calipers O-ring or Chevy seals. O-rings you couldn't give to me, Chevy seals should last 7-10 years.

Jun 9, 2007 | 03:37 PM

I'm Batman

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From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid LT1

Are calipers O-ring or Chevy seals. O-rings you couldn't give to me, Chevy seals should last 7-10 years.

O-rings are a better design, and the front seals on my 77 lasted for 30.

Jun 9, 2007 | 04:22 PM

masterspydog

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o- ring - thought they would be better in the long run

Jun 9, 2007 | 10:17 PM

turtlevette

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St. Jude Donor '03,'11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Gruber

100 years for the sleeves.
:

.

i don't know if that is really true. I see score marks on my SS sleeved calipers from what i think is the piston rocking back and forth.

But most of your show n' shiners will never run as hard or as many hundreds of thousands of miles as i have.

Jun 10, 2007 | 12:05 AM

Mako72

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Quote:

Originally Posted by turtlevette

I was one of the original customers of SSBC back in the late '70's when they started SS sleeving the Corvette calipers. I had them SS sleeve my original calipers. These very same calipers have been trouble free all these years until last year when I noticed some brake fluid on the front calipers. I pulled the calipers apart and was surprised to find the SS sleeves had grooves worn in them. These grooves were allowing brake fluid to get past the seals. I quizzed SSBC about this but was put off by their indifferent attitude. I put the original calipers on the shelf and went down to the parts house and ordered up some rebuilt calipers. They are all SS sleeved now and have been trouble free. Still don't understand the grooves though.