Caliper Sleeve
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Caliper Sleeve
Yesterday I started disassembling my calipers for a rebuild. I chose to rebuild them for two reasons; I want to convert to o-rings and up here in Canada, they want $160 for a replacement caliper as opposed to $60 in the US. So it was much more economical for me to go the rebuild route..plus I'll end up with o-ring style calipers as opposed to oem calipers on a replacement at the auto parts store. I accidentally scratched one of the stainless steel sleeves on the second caliper I dissasembled. The scratch is at the top of the piston...I was removing the seal with a flat screwdriver just like the haynes manual told me to do...but it slipped. My question to you guys is whether or not it is still reusable. I used a fine scotch brite pad to remove as much of the scratch as possible. All I am asking here is your opinion, not any smart as comments like "just replace it..its cheap". I'm rebuilding my vette on a budget and if I were to replace every part on this beast the cost would be astronomical. So, for all you experts out there, I want you to tell me your honest opinion. The scratch isn't as deep as it looks and the rest of the sleeve is in great condition.
The scratch is at the top of the sleeve...the one in the middle of the sleeve is not a scratch.
The scratch is at the top of the sleeve...the one in the middle of the sleeve is not a scratch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
if you can't feel the scratch, i'd say put it together and try it. just watch it closely for leaks. after bleeding, get it all spotless and let it sit overnite, or even a few days, then check for evidence of a leak.
if you can feel it, then get some of the finest emory paper you can find and remove any rough spots. don't go nuts "polishing", then do same as above.
hopefully someone else will have a better suggestion.
my experience with the o-rings and inserts has been that the inserts have to be just about spotless with the "micro-finish" in order to seal. but that's just me . . .
if you can feel it, then get some of the finest emory paper you can find and remove any rough spots. don't go nuts "polishing", then do same as above.
hopefully someone else will have a better suggestion.
my experience with the o-rings and inserts has been that the inserts have to be just about spotless with the "micro-finish" in order to seal. but that's just me . . .
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
If the piston seal travels on the scratch area, it will continue to rub on it and eventually destroy the edge. Actually, if you can't get it cleaned up to where you can't feel it with your finger nail, another option is to call Vette Brakes and get a price on that 1/2 piece. I remember I dropped one a few years ago and broke the ear off. They replaced it for just $10. As I'm sure you know now, keep sharp objects away when rebuilding calipers. But don't feel bad; we've all done things like this. Good luck! 
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Is it possible to do too much sanding to get the scratch out?
I am going to use a fine scotch brite pad on the entire sleeve as opposed to that one spot that is scratched...this way I wont create a low spot in the sleeve. Is this the right way to do it? How much sanding is considered too much sanding?
I am going to use a fine scotch brite pad on the entire sleeve as opposed to that one spot that is scratched...this way I wont create a low spot in the sleeve. Is this the right way to do it? How much sanding is considered too much sanding?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I wouldn't do anymore than just run some emory paper over the scratch only to knock off the edge and thats only if you can hang a fingernail on it. The scratch is well above where the o-ring will travel, put it together and run it
