1973 Brake Caliper Rebuild
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 3
From: Christiana TN
1973 Brake Caliper Rebuild
Rebuilding the brake calipers on my 1973. Calipers were equipped with stainless sleeves and lip type seals when I disassembled them. Purchased O ring kits from CSSB. When reassembling the first caliper, noticed the pistons would not always return when depressed by hand. Is this common and something I don’t need to be concerned about? I did make certain to install the springs and lubricate with brake fluid prior to reassembly. Thanks.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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The O rings do tend to fit a bit snug. Much more so than the lip seals. They work fine on the car however. The O rings with those CSSB kits won't tolerate Dot5 . So make certain your using DOT 3 or 4.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 3
From: Christiana TN
Thanks for responding. I assumed they would work fine on the car but wanted to hear from others that had experienced this also. Yes I’m using DOT 3 &4 synthetic from Valvoline.
Last edited by 1967droptop; Jul 12, 2023 at 10:49 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,258
Likes: 7,848
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Nooooo, DOT 5 is silicone. Dot 3 and 4 are not.
CSSB has a warning on there O ring kits to NOT use silicone.
I do use DOT 5. I changed out the O rings to Viton rings.
CSSB has a warning on there O ring kits to NOT use silicone.
I do use DOT 5. I changed out the O rings to Viton rings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
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1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
I think you may mean 3 & 4 synthetic which is 100% different from DOT 5 silicone. Most 3 & 4 today is synthetic and there should be no worries with the rubber reacting poorly with it compared to non-synthetic. Only DOT 5 is silicone based and some rubber compositions do not do well with it.
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