Rebuilding Calipers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: Palatine
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (paintdaddy)
The calipers dont look stock so I dont think they need to be honed and all that, but sealed up and whatever else needs to be done. I did a search but couldnt find much. Whats this talk about the O-Rings and all that.
[Modified by Blues77, 1:32 AM 9/24/2002]
[Modified by Blues77, 1:32 AM 9/24/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 40
From: Life is Messy, Bring a mop
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
If you must...
Go to Autozone (or NAPA, Checkers, etc...) and ask for caliper rebuild kits. It would be a very good idea to pop for a cylinder hone too.
IMHO, don't rebuild; replace. Autozone has lifetime warranty for cheap.
I rebuilt all four, two leaked (had rust in the bottom of the bores and I thought I could save them). This cost me the time involved in the rebuild plus new pads for front and rear!
Go to Autozone (or NAPA, Checkers, etc...) and ask for caliper rebuild kits. It would be a very good idea to pop for a cylinder hone too.
IMHO, don't rebuild; replace. Autozone has lifetime warranty for cheap.
I rebuilt all four, two leaked (had rust in the bottom of the bores and I thought I could save them). This cost me the time involved in the rebuild plus new pads for front and rear!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
Yeah, I also recommend replacing with remanufactured calipers with stainless sleeves. I was thinking about rebuilding mine, until I disassembled them and was shocked to see all the rust pitted surfaces! Just not worth it, and brakes kinda need to be reliable. ;)
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 3:12 AM 9/24/2002]
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 3:12 AM 9/24/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
i bought rebuilt stainless steel calipers from vette products of mi. i lost a coupla bucks because the cores were foreign produced. well worth the investement. i believe rebuilding calipers yourself is not worth the effort, unless you're really into these things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
I tried rebuilding using a kit from Advance Auto. But, given the hassle and fact that I ended up replacing the calipers two years later anyway, I'd recommend a pair of re-sleeved/rebuilt calipers from one of the parts houses.
Be warned though, your calipers have likely been re-sleeved already. If that is the case, you will pay full price (including core charge) since, once sleeved, they can't rebuild again (at least that is the line VB&P used with me). I think they gave me only 'one caliper' worth of core refund...
Some brake suppliers offer brand new cast iron Delco Moraine units without core charge (essentially same price as rebuilt unit with core charge).
[Modified by TedH, 1:08 PM 9/24/2002]
Be warned though, your calipers have likely been re-sleeved already. If that is the case, you will pay full price (including core charge) since, once sleeved, they can't rebuild again (at least that is the line VB&P used with me). I think they gave me only 'one caliper' worth of core refund...
Some brake suppliers offer brand new cast iron Delco Moraine units without core charge (essentially same price as rebuilt unit with core charge).
[Modified by TedH, 1:08 PM 9/24/2002]
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (paintdaddy)
Whats wrong with swaping them for some rebuilt ones,much easier and less headache. :yesnod:
Autozone with lifetime warrantee. It was fun to take the caliper apart and see how it looks/works etc.. then put it back together and buy a rebuilt.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Indialantic FL
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
:seeya I have to agree with everyone else....GO WITH REBUILTS :yesnod: :yesnod: I tried rebuilding my originals and it turned out to be a big waste of time :smash: :seeya
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: bklyn ny
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
not that im saying something different than anyone else , gotta go with purchasing rebuilt ones , there relatively cheap , i paid $80 each with mine as cores. now im not as hessitant to drive my daughter around.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
Blues, contrary to what everyone else says.....like Me 7 years ago, pull all the damn calipers apart, and see if they are stainless lined allready...if they are, as mine were, you do NOT need new calipers, kits with O ring pistons will be fine...end of story...toss the springs from behind the pistons, not needed....VBP is a good source for parts,, do all new hoses, steel lines are common as water and can be obtained locally, stainless is great for those who just have to go the VERY best, but a waste of money in reality...
I"d just do the master cyl on a local exchange, cheaper.....
I"d also do DOT5 fluid, it precludes rust....
check the rotor runout with calipers off and lug nuts on....hopefully they are not still rivited in place.....anything in runout you can see and feel is out of spec......but with O ring pistions and no springs...i'ts not nearly as critical as function as a stock setup....
obviously go with the usual brake checks as a normal car...in addition....
GENE
I"d just do the master cyl on a local exchange, cheaper.....
I"d also do DOT5 fluid, it precludes rust....
check the rotor runout with calipers off and lug nuts on....hopefully they are not still rivited in place.....anything in runout you can see and feel is out of spec......but with O ring pistions and no springs...i'ts not nearly as critical as function as a stock setup....
obviously go with the usual brake checks as a normal car...in addition....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Todbo)
I just bought the seal kits from autozone. I used 320 grit wet/dry sandpaper with water to clean the pistons and bores. Havnt had any problems with the calipers since. I do however still need new pads since the ones on there now are glazed and causing fade. The pedal is still hard though so my calipers are sealed up good. But when the pads get hot they dont work very well.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Dry Ridge Kentucky
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (Blues77)
I bought rebuilt w/ stainless sleeves from The Last Detail in Tucker, Ga. for
$65 each. I wouldn't try to rebuild them cause I don't think the savings are worth it. I'm having to stick to a budget for our 72 rebuild, and I would rather spend the right money on brakes, suspension parts, etc while we have the opportunity. These are things that you don't want to do very often, so why take a chance?
My .02
$65 each. I wouldn't try to rebuild them cause I don't think the savings are worth it. I'm having to stick to a budget for our 72 rebuild, and I would rather spend the right money on brakes, suspension parts, etc while we have the opportunity. These are things that you don't want to do very often, so why take a chance?
My .02
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Re: Rebuilding Calipers. (72rdstr)
If you must...
Go to Autozone (or NAPA, Checkers, etc...) and ask for caliper rebuild kits. It would be a very good idea to pop for a cylinder hone too.
IMHO, don't rebuild; replace. Autozone has lifetime warranty for cheap.
I rebuilt all four, two leaked (had rust in the bottom of the bores and I thought I could save them). This cost me the time involved in the rebuild plus new pads for front and rear!
Go to Autozone (or NAPA, Checkers, etc...) and ask for caliper rebuild kits. It would be a very good idea to pop for a cylinder hone too.
IMHO, don't rebuild; replace. Autozone has lifetime warranty for cheap.
I rebuilt all four, two leaked (had rust in the bottom of the bores and I thought I could save them). This cost me the time involved in the rebuild plus new pads for front and rear!
