Replacing Brake System on C3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 905
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Replacing Brake System on C3
OK - this topic has probably been beat to death somewhere but I am at my wits end. My mech just called and informed me that although my rear bearings and other parts are not near as bad as I feared ( spindle, etc. ) but the bad news is 3 of the 4 calipers that have been replaced over last three years are leaking.
Since I'm poring a bit on $$$ into this thing again, I am considering just scrapping all the brake crap under there and replacing everything. I see several different options in Mid America but curious as to the technical aspect of doing this myself. Special tools, knowledge, 1st born son, etc - what problems might I expect to encounter? Is there a tech paper out somewhere that details the entire process? How about the brake lines that run along the frame - should they be replaced in the process? Is that hard to do?
Never stops it seems. Just when I think I am about to do some cruising, something else bites me in the wazoo.
Oh well, one day this thing will be like new. Maybe I will just treat myself to a $500 paint job just to make it look a little better.
STW :seeya
Robert
76Stinger
Since I'm poring a bit on $$$ into this thing again, I am considering just scrapping all the brake crap under there and replacing everything. I see several different options in Mid America but curious as to the technical aspect of doing this myself. Special tools, knowledge, 1st born son, etc - what problems might I expect to encounter? Is there a tech paper out somewhere that details the entire process? How about the brake lines that run along the frame - should they be replaced in the process? Is that hard to do?
Never stops it seems. Just when I think I am about to do some cruising, something else bites me in the wazoo.
Oh well, one day this thing will be like new. Maybe I will just treat myself to a $500 paint job just to make it look a little better.
STW :seeya
Robert
76Stinger
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
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From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Replacing Brake System on C3 (76Stinger)
I replaced mine in the 72 in 1998. Did a 100% change out. Got everything at Chicago Corvette (which is nearby). Put it up on blocks and went at it. A Haynes manual doesn't hurt to refer too, but I found everything to be striaght forward.
The steel lines, SS in my case, were a PIA to route in, but again doable. I had to unbend them to an extent, put them in place and rebend again. It worked.
The steel lines, SS in my case, were a PIA to route in, but again doable. I had to unbend them to an extent, put them in place and rebend again. It worked.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 55
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Re: Replacing Brake System on C3 (biltogo)
as far as the calipers go, theyre not difficult to rebuild. i just finished re-built all 4 of mine. one is leaking again, but i think i screwed up one of the rubber seals putting it back together, so i'll rebuild it again next weekend. the kits cost less than $10 each at you local parts store. unless your pistons are in bad shape, then you have to order those from your favorite parts dealer. there are 2 pistons and 2 springs in each caliper half. the pistons are grooved for 2 rubber seals. one of the rubber seals is connected to a metal ring that has to be pressed into the caliper. what i did was use a socket that the same diameter as the metal ring and gently tap it in. that's the trickiest part of the whole procedure. better pick up an extra rebuild kit cause inevitably something will happen to one of the seals. also, make sure you can push the pistons up and down before you put the calipers back on the car. if the pistons are too tight, it won't work. found that out thru trial and error. it's not that difficult and you will save yourself $$
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
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From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Replacing Brake System on C3 (Ed T)
I re-did mine 2 years ago without ever having done it before-with some great help from the FORUM of course. Getting the calipers off was tough - buy a compressor if you don't already have one.
I got all the parts from VB&P. One suggestion is to replace as much as you can afford to. Replace all rubber lines with braided stainless and as many hard lines as you can stand to. You will have to bleed it anyway, so might as well do it all while your in there. Might even want to do the MC for another 80 dollars.
I got all the parts from VB&P. One suggestion is to replace as much as you can afford to. Replace all rubber lines with braided stainless and as many hard lines as you can stand to. You will have to bleed it anyway, so might as well do it all while your in there. Might even want to do the MC for another 80 dollars.
