Willwood D8-4 Calipers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 14
Willwood D8-4 Calipers
I've had it with the leak issues with the moraine calipers. I bought four new Duntov O-Ring calipers in April of 2019 and they have about 1000 miles on them. The front drivers is leaking already.
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I've had it with the leak issues with the moraine calipers. I bought four new Duntov O-Ring calipers in April of 2019 and they have about 1000 miles on them. The front drivers is leaking already.
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
i went to wilwoods 7.5 years ago. I got the D8-6 fronts and D8-4 aft with new SS hoses. After struggling with repeated bleeding and leaky calipers for a good 15-20 years I have NOT had a single brake issue in the last 7.5 years. I just drive around cruising and whatnot. I was reluctant to spend the money but now I consider it well worth it just from the lack of hassles and good brakes (and I got a group sale deal on them too).
I recommend them.
I recommend them.
I've had it with the leak issues with the moraine calipers. I bought four new Duntov O-Ring calipers in April of 2019 and they have about 1000 miles on them. The front drivers is leaking already.
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
Last edited by carriljc; Jan 6, 2021 at 10:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 875
Likes: 289
From: LaFayette Georgia
C3 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19
I have Wilwood D8-4 all around on my 74, great investment if you plan on keeping and driving a C3 Corvette. There will be many who say stock calipers are great, you can purchase rebuilds cheap, again and again.....YMMV
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Another Perspective:
I have had 4 VBP SS rebuilt calipers on my 78 since 1985 after 1 OEM non sleeved SS factory caliper began to leak that year. These are 4 VBP SS lip seal (NOT O ring calipers-they did not exist in 1985) calipers. One of these SS calipers developed a leak in 1990 and VBP sent me for free a seal rebuild kit for me to switch the seals myself which I did on that one caliper bore.
I have not had a single leak from these 4 calipers since1990 and the other 3 VBP SS lip seal calipers are have been perfect since 1985!!!!! 1985 folks!
I do not drive the car regularly, just on occasion, only during the warmer nice weather, and do not go out and step on the pedal every so often, etc.
I do nothing EXCEPT change/flush the brake fluid in the system completely every 3-5 years.
If the calipers are good quality bores when rebuilt, with proper good quality OEM lip seals and pistons, and you change the fluid every so often, my experience over 35 years now is that the OEM SS calipers are pretty darn reliable and good, for the street, not racing......
I have had 4 VBP SS rebuilt calipers on my 78 since 1985 after 1 OEM non sleeved SS factory caliper began to leak that year. These are 4 VBP SS lip seal (NOT O ring calipers-they did not exist in 1985) calipers. One of these SS calipers developed a leak in 1990 and VBP sent me for free a seal rebuild kit for me to switch the seals myself which I did on that one caliper bore.
I have not had a single leak from these 4 calipers since1990 and the other 3 VBP SS lip seal calipers are have been perfect since 1985!!!!! 1985 folks!
I do not drive the car regularly, just on occasion, only during the warmer nice weather, and do not go out and step on the pedal every so often, etc.
I do nothing EXCEPT change/flush the brake fluid in the system completely every 3-5 years.
If the calipers are good quality bores when rebuilt, with proper good quality OEM lip seals and pistons, and you change the fluid every so often, my experience over 35 years now is that the OEM SS calipers are pretty darn reliable and good, for the street, not racing......
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 58
From: Arvada Colorado
I've had it with the leak issues with the moraine calipers. I bought four new Duntov O-Ring calipers in April of 2019 and they have about 1000 miles on them. The front drivers is leaking already.
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
I drive or exercise the brakes at least every other day.
Many say to switch to Willwood and that the leaking problems will be history.
Who has used the Willwood D8-4 calipers? Is it true that I can forget about the leaking?
If true, what/why don't the Willwood calipers leak?
I would like to add that every modern caliper, floating or fixed, uses this seal method.
Last edited by gg521; Jan 7, 2021 at 11:57 AM. Reason: fix
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
If the calipers are good quality bores when rebuilt, with proper good quality OEM lip seals and pistons, and you change the fluid every so often, my experience over 35 years now is that the OEM SS calipers are pretty darn reliable and good, for the street, not racing......
All the consensus on the forum makes me paranoid that I'll come out to a leaky caliper one of these days, but it hasn't happened yet.
When I do have to replace the calipers, I'll likely go aftermarket to get bigger brakes and lighter calipers. That cast iron... is heavy.
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Verdad Gallardo
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 119
From: tempe Arizona
Once you make the move to these parts it's hard to justify the level of service you have to deal with on the stock parts. For all but the OE purist (points perhaps) there's really no reason to wrestle with the iron parts today. Save them for the sale of the car perhaps in the future. But get out there and enjoy the peace of mind.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Not quite! See post #2 from a long time C3 enthusiast and racer:
Wilwoods on my 78 which I use for track days. 1 Leaked after 3 years use. I haven't found a caliper that doesn't leak. The best calipers were the factory calipers which lasted 10+ years.