c3 caliper rebuild
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
c3 caliper rebuild
I am in the process of rebuilding the rear calipers on my 77. The reason for this is that im having a problem with continually having to bleed air out of the rt rear caliper, from what I understand out of spec rotors or bad bearings will cause this problem when the caliper is equiped with the lip style seals. I have puchesed the O ring style kit along with new crossdrilled and slotted rotors with ceramic pads all the way around. Has anyone here done any of this? any pointers?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
same problem for me on my rear calipers. replaced one, then replaced another still goes only 50 miles until the pedal goes to the floor , bleed more air out of the back... works fine, go for another 50 miles.. bleed again..
replaced rotors, then made it thru most of the season before pedal goes to floor..
gave up and rebuilt with o-ring kit 2 years ago... no problem at all since.. it is a real treat to have a good firm pedal thruout the entire driving season!
of course root cause is runout on rotors, but if you want to give your car to a brake shop that does not know corvettes and pay them to maybe fix your runout problem, then go right ahead. they will replace your rotors, calipers, rear wheel bearings and then lathe out your runout.. probably charge you 800$. and if they did not do it right, same problems.
the 60$ kit and a afternoon on the workbench fixed mine.
replaced rotors, then made it thru most of the season before pedal goes to floor..
gave up and rebuilt with o-ring kit 2 years ago... no problem at all since.. it is a real treat to have a good firm pedal thruout the entire driving season!
of course root cause is runout on rotors, but if you want to give your car to a brake shop that does not know corvettes and pay them to maybe fix your runout problem, then go right ahead. they will replace your rotors, calipers, rear wheel bearings and then lathe out your runout.. probably charge you 800$. and if they did not do it right, same problems.
the 60$ kit and a afternoon on the workbench fixed mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I rebuilt all 4 of mine- with o-rings. I left the little springs out from behind the pistons. No leaks and good pedal. But I travel so much it sets for long periods of time too.
There are both sides to the tale. Some guys like the lip seals and some like the o-rings. Either side can make a good case. You choose.
Whatever you decide, 3 things are important. Keep things clean, and torque the caliper halves to specs, and get the rotor runout down as low as you can.
There are both sides to the tale. Some guys like the lip seals and some like the o-rings. Either side can make a good case. You choose.
Whatever you decide, 3 things are important. Keep things clean, and torque the caliper halves to specs, and get the rotor runout down as low as you can.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If they are pulling air into the system the runout is the problem. Shim the new rotors to eliminate runout and you will likely have no need to even rebuild the calipers.
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