brakes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 277
Likes: 57
From: Va.
brakes
I have had 2 sets of napa calipers, and they have leaked ever since put on. Was looking at putting Lonestar calipers on. Ive seen and read good reviews. Has anyone had a bad experience with them? Just curious. I've read all about how good Wilwood's are, but I don't want to spend that much. It's not a track car and I don't race it. I drive it on weekends and maybe a couple days a week. Thanks for an info and opinions.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
About 80% of all C2/C3 caliper leaks are caused by rotor runout. There isn't a caliper made that will not leak eventually with a wobbly rotor......make sure you check yours.....
Lonestar calipers are high quality and I recommend them.....
Jebby
Lonestar calipers are high quality and I recommend them.....
Jebby
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,051
Likes: 4,194
From: US-PNW
n=1
I had an outer boot seal that was pinched during assembly and leaking on a front Lone Star lip-seal caliper a couple years ago. Since I use DOT 5 fluid, I didn't attempt a return and rebuilt it myself. Upon disassembly, I was surprised at the lack of polish on the stainless sleeve and the relatively coarse honing marks. It had definitely been sleeved some time ago and, I believe, had undergone at least a couple rebuilds since the sleeve insertion. I decided to rebuild the other front caliper too so that I could inspect the sleeve finish and saw a similar condition with that one. Polishing took a few hours and were definitely better surface finishes afterwards — no problems since.
I had an outer boot seal that was pinched during assembly and leaking on a front Lone Star lip-seal caliper a couple years ago. Since I use DOT 5 fluid, I didn't attempt a return and rebuilt it myself. Upon disassembly, I was surprised at the lack of polish on the stainless sleeve and the relatively coarse honing marks. It had definitely been sleeved some time ago and, I believe, had undergone at least a couple rebuilds since the sleeve insertion. I decided to rebuild the other front caliper too so that I could inspect the sleeve finish and saw a similar condition with that one. Polishing took a few hours and were definitely better surface finishes afterwards — no problems since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
through vendors.. i have had 2 lonestar calipers leak (within last few years). one at 11 months and another at 8 months. Under warranty and replacements so far ok..
if you have stainless bores.. i would DIY new pistons and o rings... #3 caliper is done that way zero issues several years.
#4 caliper never leaked in 5 years and one half is DELCO the other blank LOL.
Pick your poison..
there are new re-pops too.. available.. most all through vendors are 1 year warranty..
i would return the NAPA under warranty and get $ back.. probably chinesium like the other chains anymore
if you have stainless bores.. i would DIY new pistons and o rings... #3 caliper is done that way zero issues several years.
#4 caliper never leaked in 5 years and one half is DELCO the other blank LOL.
Pick your poison..
there are new re-pops too.. available.. most all through vendors are 1 year warranty..
i would return the NAPA under warranty and get $ back.. probably chinesium like the other chains anymore
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,526
Likes: 1,960
From: Temple Terrace Florida
As mentioned above, check the runout, it should be under .003. If the rotors are within specs, and the calipers you have now are out of warranty, open the calipers to determine if they have been sleeved in stainless steel. If so, consider rebuilding them with O-rings. I did this on my 66 and 68 over 10 years ago and have experienced no leaks. Jerry
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,169
Likes: 9,298
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If you cant take your new NAPA calipers back for a refund, take them apart and se if the cylinder bores are smooth and pit free, its also helpful if they are stanless steel lined. IF they are smooth buy an oring kit for $85 bucks and rebuild them yourself. I got my kit from CSSBINC 3 or 4 years ago and they still arent leaking. You can buy the complete o-ringed calipers from them also. Just avoid the stupid lip seals altogether...total waste of time. What ever you get use the correct DOT fluid recommended by the manufacturer.....
https://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-calipers.aspx
the lip seal ones and the o-ring seals are the same price
complete set
https://www.cssbinc.com/caliper_rear_set-1.aspx
Theh wilwood set would be $1250 for 4 of the DB8 stock calipers which are lighter and aluminum
the Lonestar site is down right at this moment...no price avaliable
https://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-calipers.aspx
the lip seal ones and the o-ring seals are the same price
complete set
https://www.cssbinc.com/caliper_rear_set-1.aspx
Theh wilwood set would be $1250 for 4 of the DB8 stock calipers which are lighter and aluminum
the Lonestar site is down right at this moment...no price avaliable
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jan 18, 2024 at 02:54 PM.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,051
Likes: 4,194
From: US-PNW
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,169
Likes: 9,298
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
oops...just trying to help someone avoid my paste failures
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