Caliper Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Caliper Question
Hello everyone. I am new to the site and have a question on brake calipers for my 72.
I am replacing all brake components and am deciding on what calipers to buy. I know the problems associated with the split 4 piston calipers so I want to buy ones that I won't have issues with. Do you recommend stainless steel calipers only or will standard calipers be just fine?
Thanks in advance!
I am replacing all brake components and am deciding on what calipers to buy. I know the problems associated with the split 4 piston calipers so I want to buy ones that I won't have issues with. Do you recommend stainless steel calipers only or will standard calipers be just fine?
Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have had SS calipers on my 78 since 1985 with OEM O ring seals and have never had a problem with the calipers leaking on a car that sits most of the time. I would not recommend non stainless steel sleeved calipers since the bores will pit over time and the calipers will leak. I do not think that the lip seal calipers are necessary. Just change the brakes fluid every 3 years or so and you will be fine. Hope that helps!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
If your calipers are stainless steel sleaved then I would just clean, paint, and rebuild with an O-ring kit.
Here is a full O-ring kit for $150 shipped with new bolts and bleeders.
http://fixvetteparts.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php
Here is a full O-ring kit for $150 shipped with new bolts and bleeders.
http://fixvetteparts.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php
Last edited by Marlin; Mar 4, 2012 at 11:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Controversial as this subject always is, my suggestion would be stainless sleeved calipers and DOT 5 silicone fluid. Just about as 'set it and forget it' as it gets.
If you've got a bunch of
burning a hole in your pocket, Wilwood makes aluminum replacement calipers that are lighter weight than OEM.
If you've got a bunch of
burning a hole in your pocket, Wilwood makes aluminum replacement calipers that are lighter weight than OEM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Getting pretty hard to find a set of calipers that haven't been sleeved yet anyway.
I changed mine over to O-Rings a few years ago, completely solved the air-pumping and also the weeping problems. That being said, now that my rotors are running properly the air-pump issue is a mute point.
Mooser
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: Livonia MI
Just bought a complete set of calipers form Stainless Sterl Brake Corporation. Didn't realize how bad the original pistons were until I took them off. Holy cow!
I had no problem instaling or bleeding the new brakes because SSBC provided very good literature with the system.
I had no problem instaling or bleeding the new brakes because SSBC provided very good literature with the system.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
The caliper is not stainless steel but there is a SS sleave inside where the piston is. If that is there then you can rebuild.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I just popped off the seals and removed the calipers. I've rebuilt pistons before but this is kind of new to me...How can I tell if they're stainless steel sleeved or not? I'm trying to post pictures but am having some trouble.
Last edited by Joenski; Mar 4, 2012 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Incorrect wording
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Here are some pistures that show what it looks like...
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/joe...ructions.shtml
The SS sleave stands out once you know what you are looking for. When I took mine apart it was pretty clear mine are SS sleaved. So 1 4 wheel O-ring kit from above is on its way for my car. That and new rotors and Performance friction brakes pads.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/joe...ructions.shtml
The SS sleave stands out once you know what you are looking for. When I took mine apart it was pretty clear mine are SS sleaved. So 1 4 wheel O-ring kit from above is on its way for my car. That and new rotors and Performance friction brakes pads.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I have had SS calipers on my 78 since 1985 with OEM O ring seals and have never had a problem with the calipers leaking on a car that sits most of the time. I would not recommend non stainless steel sleeved calipers since the bores will pit over time and the calipers will leak. I do not think that the lip seal calipers are necessary. Just change the brakes fluid every 3 years or so and you will be fine. Hope that helps!
I highly recommend O-ring seals if your calipers have stainless steel inserts.
Rick B.
