Leaking Caliper?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
Leaking Caliper?
So I'll begin with the disclaimer that I noticed the same thing about a year ago when I changed the rear pads and decided to ignore the problem, and between then and now I didn't crash (well, not the corvette anyway.)
I noticed a severe lack of braking power on the weekend so decided to change my front pads having replaced the rears not that long ago. I noticed when I was trying to encourage the pads into the calipers that I could hear a squelch and some fluid squirting out. It was only when I was trying to push the pistons in, so although common sense (of which I seem to be lacking lately) tells me that it's time to immediately change all the calipers I wondered if anyone on here has experienced the same problem?
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
I noticed a severe lack of braking power on the weekend so decided to change my front pads having replaced the rears not that long ago. I noticed when I was trying to encourage the pads into the calipers that I could hear a squelch and some fluid squirting out. It was only when I was trying to push the pistons in, so although common sense (of which I seem to be lacking lately) tells me that it's time to immediately change all the calipers I wondered if anyone on here has experienced the same problem?
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
I suppose what I should be asking is:
Is it possible that allowing the pistons to come out as far as they do when the pads are out can cause a leak that goes away when the pads are in place and the pistons are depressed back into their sleeves. I'm aware that there are two kinds (lip or o-ring) and I'm not sure which kind I have, or whether this would make a difference.
Thanks for anyone that answers yet another one of my silly questions!
Is it possible that allowing the pistons to come out as far as they do when the pads are out can cause a leak that goes away when the pads are in place and the pistons are depressed back into their sleeves. I'm aware that there are two kinds (lip or o-ring) and I'm not sure which kind I have, or whether this would make a difference.
Thanks for anyone that answers yet another one of my silly questions!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
Since you let the pistons come out as far as they did, it is possible that you have air in the calliper itself. Try bleeding the brakes and see if the petal feels more firm and also check for leaks when you are done. If there are no leaks, you are good to go. If there are leaks, I would suggest to replace them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
I bled the brakes and they appear to be working fine, and no noticable leaks so far.
Does that mean that the squirting was a result of my pad changing technique? Seems far fetched but if it's true it'll save me $400 and a day of trying to change the calipers in my parking space!!
Does that mean that the squirting was a result of my pad changing technique? Seems far fetched but if it's true it'll save me $400 and a day of trying to change the calipers in my parking space!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
!
So I'll begin with the disclaimer that I noticed the same thing about a year ago when I changed the rear pads and decided to ignore the problem, and between then and now I didn't crash (well, not the corvette anyway.)
I noticed a severe lack of braking power on the weekend so decided to change my front pads having replaced the rears not that long ago. I noticed when I was trying to encourage the pads into the calipers that I could hear a squelch and some fluid squirting out. It was only when I was trying to push the pistons in, so although common sense (of which I seem to be lacking lately) tells me that it's time to immediately change all the calipers I wondered if anyone on here has experienced the same problem?
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
I noticed a severe lack of braking power on the weekend so decided to change my front pads having replaced the rears not that long ago. I noticed when I was trying to encourage the pads into the calipers that I could hear a squelch and some fluid squirting out. It was only when I was trying to push the pistons in, so although common sense (of which I seem to be lacking lately) tells me that it's time to immediately change all the calipers I wondered if anyone on here has experienced the same problem?
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
A bit harsh 
Allow me to try again:
This weekend, my brakes felt less dynamic than usual. Feeling familiar to what I've experienced before, and knowing that my front pads were about due to be changed, I changed them.
While pushing the pistons in, forcibly, a minor amount of fluid was expelled. This only happened when I was forcing the pistons back in (to make space for the new, thicker, pads).
This happened once before about a year ago and following that change (the rear pads) there was no leak.
Since I have found this forum to be a place of advice and information, I thought that on this occassion I would see if this is a common occurrence - given the age of our cars I suspect it is - and what my fellow C3 owners did when in this situation.
Thank you all for your advice, as always it is much appreciated (except the previous post, you can go and f$#4 yourself)
Allow me to try again:
This weekend, my brakes felt less dynamic than usual. Feeling familiar to what I've experienced before, and knowing that my front pads were about due to be changed, I changed them.
While pushing the pistons in, forcibly, a minor amount of fluid was expelled. This only happened when I was forcing the pistons back in (to make space for the new, thicker, pads).
This happened once before about a year ago and following that change (the rear pads) there was no leak.
Since I have found this forum to be a place of advice and information, I thought that on this occassion I would see if this is a common occurrence - given the age of our cars I suspect it is - and what my fellow C3 owners did when in this situation.
Thank you all for your advice, as always it is much appreciated (except the previous post, you can go and f$#4 yourself)
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: Dardenne Prairie Mo
My 71's brakes always feel spongy no matter what I do. I have owned the car 12yrs. Re-built the fronts and backs once and then last fall when I was on a great little cruise lost all brakes do to a left front leak. It was not a sudden thing, I felt the pedal going further and further down... headed home as soon as I felt it....
I guess I could have called a tow truck but I made it home fine. No I don't have much e brake left. I replaced the front calipers with auto zones. They are lifetime. I use silicone brake fluid and I try to bleed the system at least once a year.
Are your calipers original? Brake fluid Dot 3 or silicone?
The brakes on C3's really suck. The C4's are not much better!!!
I guess I could have called a tow truck but I made it home fine. No I don't have much e brake left. I replaced the front calipers with auto zones. They are lifetime. I use silicone brake fluid and I try to bleed the system at least once a year.
Are your calipers original? Brake fluid Dot 3 or silicone?
The brakes on C3's really suck. The C4's are not much better!!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Warren IL
Yes it is possible to cause a leak by letting the pistons come all the way out. Same thing with the master cylinder when you push the pedal all the way to the floor when bleeding your brakes. If the bore is crusty in the area that isn't normally used and you push the seal over the crust it will tear the seal.
Just go get a new caliper and be back on your way.
Just go get a new caliper and be back on your way.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
I noticed a severe lack of braking power.......although common sense (of which I seem to be lacking lately) tells me that it's time to immediately change all the calipers
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
Is it indeed a time for change... and on a scale of 1 to 10, how far am i pushing my luck by driving?
Change the story all you want. You stated a "severe lack of braking power" and you are concerned about whether or not you should change calipers, and asking us to rate how much "luck" you have left. Real nice. Have a nice life.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Your seal is ageing and starting to take a set to the outer ID area of the bore. Its possible the more internal ID area of the bore has a slightly different dimension, thus allowing the seal to pass fluid.
If you can pass fluid just by pushing back the piston, your in need of a rebuild.
If you have OEM lip seal pistons in your calipers, you should consider an upgrade to VBP O-ring pistons and seals. Inspect your SS sleeved lining of your caliper for any anomolies, assuming it has been rebuilt once before and has been sleeved.
Lip seals have a tendency to leak. VBP O-rings have less tendency, but can/will still leak over time, just seems less likely. Also take the oportunity to upgrade to SS sleeved flex lines from your frame to your calipers. You'll be happy with the more solid brake feel.
Have Fun......
If you can pass fluid just by pushing back the piston, your in need of a rebuild.
If you have OEM lip seal pistons in your calipers, you should consider an upgrade to VBP O-ring pistons and seals. Inspect your SS sleeved lining of your caliper for any anomolies, assuming it has been rebuilt once before and has been sleeved.
Lip seals have a tendency to leak. VBP O-rings have less tendency, but can/will still leak over time, just seems less likely. Also take the oportunity to upgrade to SS sleeved flex lines from your frame to your calipers. You'll be happy with the more solid brake feel.
Have Fun......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
Did the rears and discovered one stripped thread on each of the caliper mounting plates. So took it to a corvette place in the Bay Area and they put a helicoil in one side and cleaned up the threads on the other.
Long story short, I've now got exellent brakes! Thanks for all your input(except for 7t5: your mother obviously didn't love you enough as a child, and for that I'm truly sorry. But still, go f43K yourself)
Have a nice day
Long story short, I've now got exellent brakes! Thanks for all your input(except for 7t5: your mother obviously didn't love you enough as a child, and for that I'm truly sorry. But still, go f43K yourself)
Have a nice day
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Lets put this in to a TRUE LIFE prospective!
My wifes 72 coupe developed a braking issue. She stated that the brakes felt funny and requested that I check them out. So,,,I drove it down the road and did some emergency braking stops and reported that the brakes are fine.
The next week, she drove the car down the hill and the brakes gave out due to a leaking rear drivers side rear seal.
So,,,I did a complete caliper / brake rebuild. The calipers had Stainless inserts.
I ordered all the seals BRAIDED BRAKE LINES, new bleeders, replaced any deteriorated metal lines and rebuilt the calipers. I have a 100% success rate with the rebuild. The brakes stop MUCH better and the wife is HAPPY!
Do a complete brake system inspection and repair what needs to be fixed before you have the WRATH of someone..
Bill
My wifes 72 coupe developed a braking issue. She stated that the brakes felt funny and requested that I check them out. So,,,I drove it down the road and did some emergency braking stops and reported that the brakes are fine.
The next week, she drove the car down the hill and the brakes gave out due to a leaking rear drivers side rear seal.
So,,,I did a complete caliper / brake rebuild. The calipers had Stainless inserts.
I ordered all the seals BRAIDED BRAKE LINES, new bleeders, replaced any deteriorated metal lines and rebuilt the calipers. I have a 100% success rate with the rebuild. The brakes stop MUCH better and the wife is HAPPY!Do a complete brake system inspection and repair what needs to be fixed before you have the WRATH of someone..
Bill
