Brake problems
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Brake problems
I own a 1976 Corvette StingRay and have had it over 20 years. I have had continous brake problems. I have had it in the shop twice a year for over 20 years, but nobody, including a Chevy dealorship can fix the problem. I'm told this is a continuous problem with older vettes. I keep losing the brakes to where the BRAKE light come on when I apply the brakes and the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor. I have to pump the brakes in order for the car to come to a complete stop. I have replaced calipers, lines, master cylinder, you name it, but the problem persists if the car sits for awhile without being driven such as it sits two weeks or more. I need help to find a fix as I only have 83,000 miles on the car and it looks great. Can the brakes be fixed and can someone estimate the cost, because I want to drive it more than I currently do, but I feel it is unsafe to drive.
Thanx to anyone who can provide a positive response.
Rick
Thanx to anyone who can provide a positive response.
Rick
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,665
Likes: 2,564
When you replaced the calipers did you use stainless steel sleeved? Did the new calipers use stock seals or O ring seals? The generic shops you went to, are they Corvette only, or the corner repair shop? Sounds like you should contact a local Corvette club and find out from them who they recommend for repairs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
As others have stated-air in the system!
Master cylinder, caliper seals leaking, and/or rotor runout.
I replaced my 66,000 mile 78 L-82 4 speed C3 calipers in 1985 with VBP stainless steel ones with REGULAR OEM seals (no lip seals back then) and I have never had a brake issue now in 28 years! The car sits 99.9% of the time, for many months over the winter-just took it out last weekend and everything like always is perfect with the brakes. Find the path of the air leak, fix it, and change the brake fluid every 3-4 years and you should be good to go.
Hope that helps!
Master cylinder, caliper seals leaking, and/or rotor runout.
I replaced my 66,000 mile 78 L-82 4 speed C3 calipers in 1985 with VBP stainless steel ones with REGULAR OEM seals (no lip seals back then) and I have never had a brake issue now in 28 years! The car sits 99.9% of the time, for many months over the winter-just took it out last weekend and everything like always is perfect with the brakes. Find the path of the air leak, fix it, and change the brake fluid every 3-4 years and you should be good to go.
Hope that helps!
