Sorry but this is bad advice. There's no need for new pads every time, and semi metallic or ceramic pads (in addition to being of no benefit on the street) are famous for eating rotors. The OEM organic pads are the best all round choice for street driven cars.

There is also no sound technical justification for replacing calipers in pairs.

 

Well, I guess all of this discussion is a subjective matter of opinion . . .

 

I also had a leaky caliper where the brake fluid got on the pads. Since the car recently began pilling to the left (and the pads are relative new) I'm actually thinking of trying an experiment and swapping the left fronts with the right fronts. Any thoughts?

 

Ceramic Brake Pads offer no benefit over OEM Brake Pads? And rotor wear is excessive when using ceramic brake pads?

 

YMMV, but there are many documented cases regarding the high wear rate. The 'gentlest pad' are the OEM type. Unless you're playing boy racer on the street, the other benefits of ceramic pads are wasted.

 

OMHO, Once the pads have become soaked with brake fluid, they should be replaced. They are porous and absorb the fluid. IMHO, again . . . the idea of using "brake cleaner" on them won't help & it's not worth the risk.

So guys, I've done some more research and I'll take the beating on the ceramic pads. LOL. I don't give up on my opinion on rebuilding calipers in pairs though. My thoughts are not based on "sound technical justification" but on logic. Here's an example:
A 28 year old car has a leaking front caliper. I rebuild that caliper without rebuilding the other. Now I have a "new" caliper and a 28 year old caliper . . . Get my point. . .
When one leaks, the other one is "logically" on shaky ground and I'm not willing to take that risk with brakes.
I'm not here to push my opinion on any of you. I'm only basing my opinions on 40+ years of fixing any type of car using common sense, logic and skill. I just advise . . .You decide.

You all know that saying about "opinions", I presume. . .

Gotta get back to rebuilding my '81.

Bill from New Jersey

 

It's not a contest, just an exchange of ideas preferably backed up by facts and logic. Opinions on are best reserved for discussing the best tasting beer.

By your logic, all four calipers should always be changed at the same time. If one caliper is leaking and they're all the same age then logically the other three are ready to go too. Not sure many people would agree there or actually do that. But................

 

I'm not in a contest, Bud. I guess I forgot to mention that. I've been exchanging ideas here on our forum based on facts & logic. I have no idea as to why you are being so confrontational. However, I should be allowed to express my ideas and thoughts without being accosted after every post................

And yes, you are right about the 4 caliper idea. When one leaks, replace them all . . . which is exactly what I did to my 28 year old car.

I believe I'll use my ancient 63 years of having dealt with this kind stuff from time to time and step out of this discussion. There, I feel better now . . .

Any others who would like to discuss and exchange any ideas on a civil basis, please keep in touch.


Bill

 

Bill,

I just noticed we are almost neighbors. I'm Williamstown probably less than 10 miles from you. Personally, I like the idea of changing out the caliper at least in pairs and when they are relatively old changing all four. That's really the best and most care free way to go.

For my pulling problem, I've decided to go with all new pads up front. Since I know one set got soaked with brake fluid, I figure, why mess around just to save a few dollars. It's really not worth it. Much better to change both front sets of pads and be done with it.

Listen, shoot me an email at canna@verizon.net and maybe we can meet up at a local cruise sometime soon. Maybe a tuseday evening over at Checkers on Cross-Keys Road?

Thanks to all for responding. Very much appreciated!

Best regards,

Frank

 

Mirrorfinishman-you may have a control arm bushing starting to wear out, do you hear a clunk when you brake hard?

Motorhead- you have spent a lot to make your car look so nice, get a new set of pads.

PlumCrazy79- a 28 year old Vette that is new to you with no maintenance history then your correct change everything. Then if two years later one caliper leaks you can change only that one with no problems.
PG.

 

That is why. I had the exact same thing happen. PS control valve. Do yourself a huge favor and send Jim Shea or Gary (gtr19999) an email.

Seriously, those two are the BOMB-tastic!

 

Correct- that's the point. Blindly changing out components without justification is one of the worst habits (from a cost point of view) in todays repair trade. A lot of garages get a bad name for boosting invoices by needlessly replacing fully serviceable components.

Plum, again I'm not picking on you, just offering a counter point that broad statements of 'change all four calipers' 'always change the pads every time you remove them' without sound reasoning behind it is not doing anybody a favour.

 

Hey Frank,
Sounds great. See you at Checkers next Tuesday!!

Bill

 

Mike said:

"Correct- that's the point. Blindly changing out components without justification is one of the worst habits (from a cost point of view) in todays repair trade. A lot of garages get a bad name for boosting invoices by needlessly replacing fully serviceable components."


Mike:
It's not so much what you say, it's how you present it, (see Quote above). Now you're trying to impugn my ethics??? I don't understand what's with you???

BTW, I was in the auto repair business for 30 years in Cross Keys, NJ. I had hundreds of customers who were so happy with my work that they would just leave their cars in my lot with a note, "fix it". Working on a relatively new car that is less than 10 years old is a different case. Repair on everyday cars is a completely different situation than restoring antiques. You would understand this if you were into repairing every day Cars. I never "boosted" a bill in my life!!! Didn't have to. Made plenty of money doing "the right thing".
Made enough money doing "right" that I could retire early. Still have customers calling me
for work, which I don't do anymore

Apparently, you don't understand that working on "Old Antiques" is a completely different situation. Most of these cars are unknown to us when we buy them. I think Frank understood why I suggested he replace his brake pads. One side had been contaminated with brake fluid and should be replaced. I think other people who restore old cars understand what I meant by replacing all 4 calipers on an antique.

I think most of us here are working on old cars. Ideas and suggestions on antiques are completely different than ordinary auto repairs. I don't mind our differing opinions and ideas Mike, but you don't need to take a "shot" at my reputation in your attempt to prove a point. Trying to take-down someone's rep without knowing any history about them is "bad advice".

Now I'm Done with this . . .

Bill


Pete,
I think you got my point according to your above your observation. You're absolutely right . .
when you say;
" Then if two years later one caliper leaks you can change only that one with no problems."

Bill

 

Well, since you asked: If I had brought my car to your shop and was informed that due to one caliper leaking, (It's) "Good to replace the pads every time you take them off. Also use semi metallic or ceramic pads........... I know that they are expensive, but when replacing calipers you should always replace them in pairs because it could be the LEFT one that is STICKING." or "When one leaks, replace them all"

You'd never see me or my car again. Sorry. I'll stop there.

 

 

Bill,

I was checking your photo gallery and noticed your 'Baby Vette'. Well guess what? I met you at Checkers when you first finished the restoration on that car. I think it was last summer. I remember enjoying our conversation and hearing about all that went into taking that car up to its present level. I'm looking forward to seeing you again next Tuesday evening.

Talk to you soon.

Frank

 

A couple of comments about this issue, not about pulling to one side though! First, C3 brakes when functioning correctly are terrific even by today's standards! Stopping a 2,900-3,400 lb car with 4 piston calipers at EACH wheel, clamping 12 in discs (11.75 to be exact), with pads that provide generous surface area are more than up to the task of stopping the car QUICKLY! As a point of reference, Road and Track summary from 1978 list stopping distances from 80 MPH as follows: 78 Corvette - 244 feet, Ferrari 512Berlinetta Boxer - 252 feet, Porsche 930 Turbo - 237 Feet!

Second - Brake pad material DEFINITELY makes a difference in stopping distances! OEM brake pads (organic) are a compromise between brake effectiveness, rotor wear, and sound! Fact - Documented numerous times in magazine articles and my own personal experiences on the street, HAWK HPS, EBC, Performance Friction etc will outperform any OEM type organic pad on a C3!-Example-Recent Corvette Fever article stated " Performance Friction pads on a C3 will reduce stopping distances from 60 MPH by several car lengths over a stock organic pad! Let's stop the nonsense!!

 

JB78L -82:
I'll second stopping the nonsense . . .
Thanks for the support from you & Frank. I just get a little "ticked" when someone has to mess with your rep to try and prove a point.
As I said last night, "I'm done with this". Let's get on to something else.

Thanks for the post.
Respectfully,
Bill in NJ

 

now that you guys have successfully tried peeing on eachothers shoes to prove whose feet are wetter, the OP is having severe turning while braking.

IF YOU READ his thread: This happened right after the PS pump & assy was replaced. This very same thing happened to me. PS control valve was the culprit.
So, for all of you who read this thread in the future (maybe while searching the archives or doing a Search for the same problem) please check the ps pump, control valve, pully assy or blockage in the lines.


It had nothing to do with organic or synthetic brake pads, oem or aftermarket or anybody's opinion of how best to sit on the toilet when they are butt-sore!



anyway... keep it on topic, it's a corvette forum fer god sakes!