Leaking calipers
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Lots of guys have, and I'm sure it works fine. I just prefer to take my caliper in as a core, and replace it with a new $69.99 caliper from Autozone. They are stainless steel sleeved calipers, that are remanufactured here in the US, and they come with a lifetime warranty.
Might be a fun experience for you to rebuild it though.
Might be a fun experience for you to rebuild it though.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Minnedosa MB
Yes, I have done it, I have pictures if you want to give you some idea of the job. It is as easy as removing the caliper splitting it in two pull the four pistons out clean everthing then polish the sleeves with 320 then 600 grit emery or sand paper then replace the seals on the pistons put springs back in reassemble and bleed. Should take only an hour or so per caliper. If the rust pits are too deep you'll have to have them resleeved.
To keep this from happening again flush out your blake fluid every few years.
To keep this from happening again flush out your blake fluid every few years.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 441
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Not a difficult job to rebuild them. I have always done this once my originals on the several Vettes I've owned were replaced with stainless sleeved calipers. Under no conditions would I suggest rebuilding non stainless sleeved units as it is a waste of time. One other thing; if your Vette sits a lot, pump the brake pedal occasionally. Your calipers will last much longer in doing this. 
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,381
Likes: 5,256
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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When one or more caliper is leaking the others are sure to follow. You probably have alot of moisture in the lines. You should replace all 4 at once with stainless steel sleeved calipers, put all new fluid and pads in and be done with it. I know I'm great at spending other people's money but it makes little sense to me to do it one at a time. Most of the package deals with the major suppliers are reasonably priced. Good luck 
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Minnedosa MB
The rebuild kits cost ten bucks per caliper so 40 for 4 vs 60 x 4 seems like a good savings. If only one is leaking I would rebuild that one and if you fail to complete the job or it leaks when your finished you've only lost 10 bucks and some time. I don't believe you need any special tools other than a brake bleeder or someone to help you bleed the brakes. A impact gun is handy for removing the bolts because they are tight. there is only one seal to replace per piston and one dust seal that is pressed into each sleeve for a total off 8 new seals per caliper there is 4 pistons in each caliper. Just make sure you put all the springs back in behind the piston before you put the dust seal in once they are pressed in you can't remove them without damaging them. You just pry the dust seal out and hammer the new one into the sleeve. It is a little tricky to hold the piston down while your tapping the seal in place but it can be done by yourself.
PM me you email and I'll send you pictures.
PM me you email and I'll send you pictures.
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Henrietta New York
Taking mine apart now. These are SS sleeved & powder coated units. Came with the car. PO told me he spent $1K in replacement brake parts, including the calipers. What I see is that whomever the re-builder was, they even powder coated the bores of the caliper 1/2's where the pistons install. Brake fluid has dissolved the coating where it is actually plugging up the fluid passages. Just an FYI for those buyers out there that should be asking specific questions when purchasing replacement calipers. I have 27 years of powder coating experience and know what to mask and when.
The bore area should be masked.
FYI
The bore area should be masked.
FYI
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
As of Feb of last year, i rebuilt all 4 of my Calipers with rebuild kits. They worked great...well for about a year. I just got done replacing all four of my calipers with new ones. They way i see if yeah i spent more money, but they are under warranty, and i can get a brand new one if they start to leak anytime soon
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Gardner Kansas
VBP has a very reasonable kit of SS sleeved calipers and all the hoses/lines and a new MC for under $600. I recently did this and am very pleased with the result.
It's your brakes, I wouldn't skimp. The peace of mind knowing when I press on the brake Ill get the desired result was worth the money.
Summit has a set for under $450 (no MC) SSBC. No core charge, Go ahead and try to rebuild the old ones, or sell the cores as is. Corvette Central pays $25.00 per caliper.
Good luck.
It's your brakes, I wouldn't skimp. The peace of mind knowing when I press on the brake Ill get the desired result was worth the money.
Summit has a set for under $450 (no MC) SSBC. No core charge, Go ahead and try to rebuild the old ones, or sell the cores as is. Corvette Central pays $25.00 per caliper.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
I rebuilt mine with o-rings. Not only was it an easy job, but it was also a learning experience. Powdercoated mine as well - you need to mask off the areas where the halves meet, as well as the actual cylinder bores. They turned out great.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Vbp O-ring Calipers
Our calipers have our O-ring design. The pistons are self-aligning and help to keep the fluid and the air pressure more even, even when the car sits as many Corvettes do. We also use a 4 micron finish on the stainless steel sleeves and offer a limited lifetime warranty. What the warranty means if that if you keep your invoice, and years later if the rubber seals deteriorate as they will because they are of a natural material, you can send them to us. We will disassemble them, clean them up, check your pistons, and install new seals. We only charge half the cost of a new caliper. If your caliper would fail right away, of course we would replace it no charge. We just ask you send the caliper to us for evaluation. If time is an issue, we can send one out first and when you return the original one, we will issue credit on the replacement. Our calipers are priced at $99.99, less 10% forum discount or $89.99, plus shipping.
Pattie
VBP
Pattie
VBP
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
some of the auto zone calipers are re-manufactured delco moraine castings i just bought replacement for the front of mine one of the ones i bought had a Chinese casting didn't see it till got home brought it back up there and check a few box's found the delco moraine casting so took them home and they have a lifetime warranty
