Replace lip seals with O ring kit...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
Replace lip seals with O ring kit...
I put SS calipers on my 68 about 20 years ago,,, got em from Muskegon brakes at a show IIRC... They are getting a little grabby, car pulls right with braking, but it sits more than gets driven lately... Figure its time to rebuild the calipers, but was thinking of using O ring kits, rather than lip seals... I messaged Muskegon to ensure the SS sleeves they used back then are standard size, and will work with either lip or O ring kit, but no reply,,, So, before I order a kit, I want to make sure it will fit the calipers,,,, Anyone do this? where did you get them from? Anything else to look out for? I hope to go to Corvette Carlisle this summer, if it is open!!!
Thanks....
Thanks....
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Something else to check
Front caliper bore is 1 7/8" (1.875) {48mm}
Rear caliper bore is 1 3/8" (1.375) {34.9mm}
To change from lip seals to 'O' rings you need a new piston.
Using the spring or not is up for debate.
Change the rubber lines.
Check that the hard lines will unscrew.
Check that the bleeders open.
New pads.
Check the rotor run out.
Rear caliper bore is 1 3/8" (1.375) {34.9mm}
To change from lip seals to 'O' rings you need a new piston.
Using the spring or not is up for debate.
Change the rubber lines.
Check that the hard lines will unscrew.
Check that the bleeders open.
New pads.
Check the rotor run out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 755
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From: delco pa
Thanks for replying,,, lines, bleeders are fine, they have been changed since the SS calipers were replaced. .. I actually bleed them each spring, as the "out of winter hibernation" checks,,, I rebuilt the carb last week!!!
Was really hoping to hear from Muskegon, to insure they used stock size sleeves, or I'll have to disassemble the calipers to measure them...Once I open them, I can't reassemble without a kit,,, or at least the proper casting O rings... I don't want the car undriveable while waiting for kits..
Anyone familiar with Muskegon Brakes SS calipers??
Was really hoping to hear from Muskegon, to insure they used stock size sleeves, or I'll have to disassemble the calipers to measure them...Once I open them, I can't reassemble without a kit,,, or at least the proper casting O rings... I don't want the car undriveable while waiting for kits..
Anyone familiar with Muskegon Brakes SS calipers??
Last edited by knockbill; Jun 24, 2020 at 11:43 AM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Look at CSSBinc. I just rebuilt my calipers about a month ago, no leaks and the work great. I also upgraded the pads to Hawk blue box ceramic pads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
Yep,,, I'm trying to make sure Muskegon used SS sleeves that will work with any standard size O rings... I will use a quality kit, if they will fit my calipers...
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I think it would be strange to make a off size sleeve, then have to make an off size piston
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
NOTE... I just called Muskegon Tech again,, and they insured me the calipers are standard size,, and O ring or lip kits will fit!!!! On to the next problem!!!
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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the manufacturer will tell you in the instructions. I dont think CSSBinc uses DOT5
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
Thanks for replying,, I'd be using Muskegon Brake O ring kits as I have their calipers installed now... Plus they have the best price I found so far...
Changing the system back to Dot 3 may not be too easy,,, not sure how to clean the DOT 5 out of the system, without replacing the MC and lines tho...
Changing the system back to Dot 3 may not be too easy,,, not sure how to clean the DOT 5 out of the system, without replacing the MC and lines tho...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
derikderick,,,Not sure what you mean?? Fronts have 2 core O rings,,, I took the calipers apart and cleaned em about 5-6 years ago, and it stopped OK for a while,,, but honestly, the car mainly sat unused for most of that time...Figure I need to replace the seals/O rings this time tho...
Last edited by knockbill; Jun 27, 2020 at 07:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: delco pa
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Orange Park Florida
I went O rings about the time they came out, in my SS lines calipers I bought the car with,...in '95.....and long about y2k I switched to DOT 5 fluid, cleaned it all out first of course.....AND another thing, ditch that brake fail switch on the frame under the m/cyl....all it does is light a brake light on the dash if the f/r brakes fail....about useless as you know it immediately.....the switch tends to leak, so just a 3 way line splitter and to the m/cyl direct with front and rear brakes.....
some years later since vacuum sux, I put in hydrobooster brakes....tap the pedal and pray your seat belt holds, none of the 'swich/sponge/pray' feeling about if you will actually stop....
some years later since vacuum sux, I put in hydrobooster brakes....tap the pedal and pray your seat belt holds, none of the 'swich/sponge/pray' feeling about if you will actually stop....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 8
From: delco pa
I went O rings about the time they came out, in my SS lines calipers I bought the car with,...in '95.....and long about y2k I switched to DOT 5 fluid, cleaned it all out first of course.....AND another thing, ditch that brake fail switch on the frame under the m/cyl....all it does is light a brake light on the dash if the f/r brakes fail....about useless as you know it immediately.....the switch tends to leak, so just a 3 way line splitter and to the m/cyl direct with front and rear brakes.....
some years later since vacuum sux, I put in hydrobooster brakes....tap the pedal and pray your seat belt holds, none of the 'swich/sponge/pray' feeling about if you will actually stop....
some years later since vacuum sux, I put in hydrobooster brakes....tap the pedal and pray your seat belt holds, none of the 'swich/sponge/pray' feeling about if you will actually stop....
I misspoke,,, found the receipts from Muskegon,, I replaced SS calipers in 1990, so it was 30 years ago!!!! I thought that switch also warns if the proportioning valve is not centered? I can't remember how I flushed the lines to use DOT 5 originally (alcohol?), so I may just continue using it, clean the calipers/pistons and throw some new lip seals in until I can get to Carlisle and pick up O ring kits,,
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
That switch is nothing but a pressure differential switch to light up if say one of the calipers fails, and you lose line pressure to the front/rear.....as if you can't tell from the pedal....well duhhhhh......
and it tends to leak, so the better way is what I said, just a T splitter in the front and the line to the m/cyl....
rear directly to m/cyl.....
and it tends to leak, so the better way is what I said, just a T splitter in the front and the line to the m/cyl....
rear directly to m/cyl.....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 755
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From: delco pa
Since it has DOT 5 fluid,,, I decided to just get replacement lip seals, as O rings seem to want DOT3,,, Pulled the R front caliper and found it leaking, so I rebuilt it first,,, Cleaned the SS calipers/pistons,, installed new seals and case O rings, torqued to spec and tested it with vacuum for a few minutes,, held tight,,, So back on the car, with a new hose,,,, tried to vacuum bleed the fronts and can't pull fluid thru the front calipers... Also found teh pedal goes to the floor...
Figured it has something to do with teh prop valve out of center, and read that cracking teh MC lines to prop valve will allow it to center again, and I was able to get fluid thru and bleed teh front brakes,,,, but the pedal is still on the floor...
Not sure where to go next as I've dissembled and cleaned these calipers before, with out all this drama!!!!
Any thoughts?? Its been a while since i worked on these brakes and age has me forgetting simple stuff!!!
Thanks!!!
Last edited by knockbill; Jul 8, 2020 at 04:57 PM.
Race Director
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From: SW Florida.
Knockbill. Flex hoses. They deteriorate from sitting full of brake fluid too. They make the car pull to one side and don't let brake fluid flow or flow back to release pressure. 40 bux for all 4.