leaky caliper. As stated, replace the pads as well.
Need help with leaking brake fluid
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Need help with leaking brake fluid
Hi Guys & Gals,
I'm perplexed and need help. I noticed my brakes were soft last time I had her out so I checked the master brake cylinder; it was low. I filled it with fluid and put the cap back on. The next day I found significant brake fluid pooled around the passenger's front wheel. About a month later I refilled the resevoir and asked my wife to pump the brakes until they got hard. She did and the brakes stayed firm! I couldn't find any leaking. The rubber lines were replaced a few years ago and look in near new condition. Can somebody provide some knowledge as to what may have happened and how I have to fix it? What's the best method to clean off the brake fluid on my rotor, pads and tire?
I'm perplexed and need help. I noticed my brakes were soft last time I had her out so I checked the master brake cylinder; it was low. I filled it with fluid and put the cap back on. The next day I found significant brake fluid pooled around the passenger's front wheel. About a month later I refilled the resevoir and asked my wife to pump the brakes until they got hard. She did and the brakes stayed firm! I couldn't find any leaking. The rubber lines were replaced a few years ago and look in near new condition. Can somebody provide some knowledge as to what may have happened and how I have to fix it? What's the best method to clean off the brake fluid on my rotor, pads and tire?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
It sounds like your caliper is leaking. Pull the wheel and have a look. Any dampness indicates a leak. While you're at it, check all wheels. The fluid can be cleaned up with brake clean, available at any auto parts store. The calipers can be rebuilt by you or you can purchase rebuilt ones. You should go with stainless steel sleeved calipers. Good luck. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
If you have lip seal type calipers it is possible one of the pistons got stuck and fluid was able to bypass the lip seal. If you refilled the MC and now have a firm pedal again the piston may have re-seated or re-centered itself when you pumped the brakes and is ok for now. If the calipers are old there may be a buildup of gunk inside the cylinders and the same thing could happen again. It may be ok for a while and then the piston gets stuck and starts to leak again. If the calipers are stainless steel sleeved they can be rebuilt. If they are the originals, don't bother, trade them in as cores for a new SS sleeved set. VBP one of the vendors on this site makes a good product. there are a number of others that do too. Any time you work on brakes be sure to use only brake cleaner as the solvent. Spray cans are available at any auto parts store and inexpensive. Stay safe.
Last edited by stock76; Feb 5, 2008 at 10:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Similar problem here but mine was more pronounced and could see the bad caliper. Yesterday, finished a complete new brake job - rotors, calipers, pads and parking brake shoes. The parking brake shoes were a PITA, but doable.
Huge difference, now have a firm consistent pedal and she stops straight and true.
Huge difference, now have a firm consistent pedal and she stops straight and true.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
Can you see where the leak is on the caliper, any chance that a copper seal ring was left off when the rubber hoses were replaced or is the leak from the piston seal? May be time for some rebuilt calipers.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Feb 6, 2008 at 01:13 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
If they are the original calipers I would replace or rebuild all of them. If they leaked once they will leak again at some point. I replaced all 4 of mine last summer with VBP units.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info guys. I think from what I read I can choose original or SS sleeve regardless of what I have on there now. I want to rebuild it so I'll choose SS sleeve. Also, since my pad has fluid on it I have to replace it...should I replace them all even though they're in very good condition? I'll use BrakeKleen...I have it but was wondering if there is something better. Any suggestions as to who has the better rebuild kits? Thanks!
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Eglin AFB FL
you can get the caliper seals from mid america for 15 bucks i had a leak on a brand new caliper, there was a lot of metal shavings from another problem, so i just changed the seals and the problem has yet to return.
