Brake help 79 L82
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Cruising
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
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Brake help 79 L82
Seeking some info. I inherited a 79 L82 corvette. It’s in pretty good shape. However, my uncle that gave it to me told that I should change the break lines to stainless steel and switch to stainless steel calipers. I am wondering since I live about an hour from the car show in Pa this weekend. Would that be a good place to buy them or is there an online store that is recommended. I looked on line its so many choices. Just looking for some guidance.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
From: Hartland Wisc
vbandp.com
Seeking some info. I inherited a 79 L82 corvette. It’s in pretty good shape. However, my uncle that gave it to me told that I should change the break lines to stainless steel and switch to stainless steel calipers. I am wondering since I live about an hour from the car show in Pa this weekend. Would that be a good place to buy them or is there an online store that is recommended. I looked on line its so many choices. Just looking for some guidance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Agreed. Talk to them, but realize that they no longer offer a CF discount and other vendors who sell C3 corvette brakes do (before you spend your hard earned $$).
I believe your uncle was talking about stainless steel O-rings and not stainless steel calipers; mostly because I don't think stainless steel calipers exist. ;-)
If you're getting new calipers and stainless lines be sure to look into quality pads that will help you stop faster and make less brake dust. (I didn't and I have SUPER dusty, cheap pads now and I'm really regretting it.)
Make this a "buy once, and cry once" thing as Corvette brakes are shockingly expensive (at least they were to me).
Adam
I believe your uncle was talking about stainless steel O-rings and not stainless steel calipers; mostly because I don't think stainless steel calipers exist. ;-)
If you're getting new calipers and stainless lines be sure to look into quality pads that will help you stop faster and make less brake dust. (I didn't and I have SUPER dusty, cheap pads now and I'm really regretting it.)
Make this a "buy once, and cry once" thing as Corvette brakes are shockingly expensive (at least they were to me).
Adam
Last edited by NewbVetteGuy; Aug 22, 2017 at 01:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
Also check out Lonestar.
They will have everything you need for your brakes.
As for the brake lines, I wouldn't go with the stainless steel ones, they're more difficult to work with.
If you don't want to rebuild your calipers yourself you can bring them to the show and trade them in as cores
They will have everything you need for your brakes.
As for the brake lines, I wouldn't go with the stainless steel ones, they're more difficult to work with.
If you don't want to rebuild your calipers yourself you can bring them to the show and trade them in as cores
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 214
Likes: 22
From: Satellite Beach Fl
First thing what's wrong with the brake lines that are on the car? Other than the short hard lines on the rears and the the rubber lines on each caliper, I wouldn't mess with the others unless there is a problem. THEY ARE A TOTAL PITA to change. The front crossover line had me inventing new words.... Why did have to change that one?? Because I didn't know what I was doing when I started the job. BUY GOOD line wrenches before you turn nut one. Also buy a heat gun and heat the crap out of the fittings before you put that shiny new high quality wrench on it. If you don't do this you will strip that fitting and in for a real fun job. Also you can buy the calipers at pretty much any auto parts store. They all have gone to stainless pistons/sleeves these days. Make sure they have the O-ring seals in them and not the original lip seals (they will leak again)
Last edited by jlpskydive; Aug 22, 2017 at 01:41 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
ruckus215,
Are you planning on doing this work yourself??
You have to be careful WHERE you buy your calipers. The proof is in the thread I created below in what I found. You make up your own mind.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...-calipers.html
As for the type of seal in the brake caliper. You have the original designed lipped seal..and then you also have the 'O' ring calipers. And for the record...both designs of seals can leak in time...because I have replaced leaking calipers that have had both designs of seal in them and they were leaking.
I prefer the lipped sea due to how teh brakes 'feel'l but it takes some extra tools to make sure the rotors are indexed in the tolerances that they need to be in.
DUB
Are you planning on doing this work yourself??
You have to be careful WHERE you buy your calipers. The proof is in the thread I created below in what I found. You make up your own mind.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...-calipers.html
As for the type of seal in the brake caliper. You have the original designed lipped seal..and then you also have the 'O' ring calipers. And for the record...both designs of seals can leak in time...because I have replaced leaking calipers that have had both designs of seal in them and they were leaking.
I prefer the lipped sea due to how teh brakes 'feel'l but it takes some extra tools to make sure the rotors are indexed in the tolerances that they need to be in.
DUB
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 214
Likes: 22
From: Satellite Beach Fl
Ummm do what DUB says..... Just saying, he knows what's what..... I stand by my heat and good wrench advice though, no matter what.
ruckus215,
Are you planning on doing this work yourself??
You have to be careful WHERE you buy your calipers. The proof is in the thread I created below in what I found. You make up your own mind.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...-calipers.html
As for the type of seal in the brake caliper. You have the original designed lipped seal..and then you also have the 'O' ring calipers. And for the record...both designs of seals can leak in time...because I have replaced leaking calipers that have had both designs of seal in them and they were leaking.
I prefer the lipped sea due to how teh brakes 'feel'l but it takes some extra tools to make sure the rotors are indexed in the tolerances that they need to be in.
DUB
Are you planning on doing this work yourself??
You have to be careful WHERE you buy your calipers. The proof is in the thread I created below in what I found. You make up your own mind.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...-calipers.html
As for the type of seal in the brake caliper. You have the original designed lipped seal..and then you also have the 'O' ring calipers. And for the record...both designs of seals can leak in time...because I have replaced leaking calipers that have had both designs of seal in them and they were leaking.
I prefer the lipped sea due to how teh brakes 'feel'l but it takes some extra tools to make sure the rotors are indexed in the tolerances that they need to be in.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Well, look at it this way. My Vette turned 40 yrs old last month. My original brakeline by the trailing arm corroded through last week. I guess the replacement line (non-stainless) will make it another 40 yrs.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 23, 2017 at 06:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
GREAT ADVICE Those flare nuts and the tubing that is going through it can be a ROYAL PAIN to get to break free.
In many cases I have to deal with the flare nuts already damaged due to someone did not have the tools or know-how got in there and darn near destroyed them with a pair of Vise-Grips.
DUB