73 Rear Calipers
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
73 Rear Calipers
All,
I'm getting ready to rebuild the leaky rear calipers on my 73 Vette (no power brakes) anything special I need to know before I begin? The last time I rebuilt a caliper was about 20 years ago as a kid and it was pretty straight forward and I'm hoping the Vette job turns out to be the same. I'm just looking for some general insight from those that have already done it.
Thanks
Scott
I'm getting ready to rebuild the leaky rear calipers on my 73 Vette (no power brakes) anything special I need to know before I begin? The last time I rebuilt a caliper was about 20 years ago as a kid and it was pretty straight forward and I'm hoping the Vette job turns out to be the same. I'm just looking for some general insight from those that have already done it.
Thanks
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If the calipers have never been apart before the yare most likely very pitted on the inside. This is a big problem with Vette calipers. The solution is to have the sleeved with Stainless Steel sleeves. Not something the guy can do in his garage. You can pull them apart but if the bores have some rust or corrosion send them off to one of the companys that ebuilds them. They will sell you rebuilt ones and then send in your cores for some money back.
If they have been sleeved then clean up the S.S. sleeves and put in new seals and you are good to go.
If they have been sleeved then clean up the S.S. sleeves and put in new seals and you are good to go.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rebuilding calipers is really pretty easy. If yours are original and not stainless-steel lined I wouldn't bother. You can buy rebuilt SS-lined calipers from Autozone or other chain stores for not much $. When you take yours apart post some pics and we can tell you if they are lined or not.
The trickiest part of rebuilding is getting the inner seal back into the bore without damaging it. As you push the piston into the bore with the seal on it you have to gently push the seal in around the edge with something (like a chopstick) that will allow the seal to retain its original shape. The best thing to do is convert the calipers to Vette Brakes & Products O-Ring seals (provided that you have the SS liners). That would eliminate the problems seating the seals.
You also have to be careful installing the outer seal. It's easy to deform the seal when hammering it in.
Rebuild kits are available at AutoZone for ~$14.00 so it wouldn't hurt to pick up an extra for spare parts.
Rick B.
The trickiest part of rebuilding is getting the inner seal back into the bore without damaging it. As you push the piston into the bore with the seal on it you have to gently push the seal in around the edge with something (like a chopstick) that will allow the seal to retain its original shape. The best thing to do is convert the calipers to Vette Brakes & Products O-Ring seals (provided that you have the SS liners). That would eliminate the problems seating the seals.
You also have to be careful installing the outer seal. It's easy to deform the seal when hammering it in.
Rebuild kits are available at AutoZone for ~$14.00 so it wouldn't hurt to pick up an extra for spare parts.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Gents,
Thanks for the info. The calipers on the car are original and have never been sleeved. I'll take your recommendations and purchase upgraded calipers that have been sleeved and are using O-rings.
Scott
Thanks for the info. The calipers on the car are original and have never been sleeved. I'll take your recommendations and purchase upgraded calipers that have been sleeved and are using O-rings.
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
