Leaky calipers???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Leaky calipers???
When I put my '77 back on the road after 5 years of storage I had to bleed the brakes 3 times in the first 6 weeks, and replaced one caliper due to a leak. They went 6 months w/ out needing bleeding then almost a year. When I bled them today the rear calipers were "damp" near the back of the pads but definately not a leak. I check the fluid level monthly and have never had to add any. I may buy a pair of the o-ring calipers in the spring, what do you guys think?
Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Nov 12, 2011 at 07:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
OK, The calipers have no visible rust on them but I have a very clean frame! I haven't taken a magnet to them yet but how do I determine if they are stainless, I have only owned the car for 2 years. The receipts I got from the PO do not show any new calipers !
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
By SS we mean SS sleeves in the calipers, see the pics. in this topic.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-calipers.html
One way to find out would be to pop a seal & push the piston in to see if it has the bright SS sleeve.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-calipers.html
One way to find out would be to pop a seal & push the piston in to see if it has the bright SS sleeve.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Did you bleed your brakes today for preventative maintenance, or did you do it due to soft pedal?
This is just an idea, but have you checked your rotor runout? Even if you have stainless steel sleeved calipers with o-ring seals, you can still get a little bit of air pumping past the seals if your runout isn't within spec. If you have lip seals, then it is very easy to get air past the seals. At the same time, it is possible to have this happen while having little to no fluid leaking out of the piston bore(s).
This is just an idea, but have you checked your rotor runout? Even if you have stainless steel sleeved calipers with o-ring seals, you can still get a little bit of air pumping past the seals if your runout isn't within spec. If you have lip seals, then it is very easy to get air past the seals. At the same time, it is possible to have this happen while having little to no fluid leaking out of the piston bore(s).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Did you bleed your brakes today for preventative maintenance, or did you do it due to soft pedal?
This is just an idea, but have you checked your rotor runout? Even if you have stainless steel sleeved calipers with o-ring seals, you can still get a little bit of air pumping past the seals if your runout isn't within spec. If you have lip seals, then it is very easy to get air past the seals. At the same time, it is possible to have this happen while having little to no fluid leaking out of the piston bore(s).
This is just an idea, but have you checked your rotor runout? Even if you have stainless steel sleeved calipers with o-ring seals, you can still get a little bit of air pumping past the seals if your runout isn't within spec. If you have lip seals, then it is very easy to get air past the seals. At the same time, it is possible to have this happen while having little to no fluid leaking out of the piston bore(s).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Rotor runout, caused by a warped rotor or a loose wheel bearing, will have you bleeding your brakes constantly. The o ring sealed calipers will tolerate a bit more runout than the origional lip seal type.
Years ago, I had a piston rust up and freeze in a front caliper. The clamping of the rotor, then, was only working on one side of the rotor. The uneven heating warped the rotor. I needed a fresh rotor and a rebuilt caliper.
Years ago, I had a piston rust up and freeze in a front caliper. The clamping of the rotor, then, was only working on one side of the rotor. The uneven heating warped the rotor. I needed a fresh rotor and a rebuilt caliper.
