leaky caliper, again!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Im having the same problem on 2 of my calipers. They are leaking more so out of the back left than the front right. I can't do the work myself for lack of tools, experience, time whatever, and the brake guy quoted me at 700 dollars !?!? for 2 rebuilt calipers installed. I thought that was freakin rediculous. I know there has got to be another alternative route besides buying rebuilt calipers. Will the autozone seals do the job? or should i go another route. FYI I am a broke college student and this is my only car at the moment. Every minute the vette's out of order just causes me a huge pita. So Im not necesarily looking for the best fix, just the most economical that will get it braking again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Regards leaky (not air pumping) calipers-
The Autozone kits work fine.
Regardless of which factory style seals you use, if the car sits a long time without being used, the seals develop a "flat spot" on the bottom where the seal sits in the bore with the weight of the piston on it.
This will also happen regardless of which type of brake fluid you use. DOT 3,4,5.... all the same in this respect. I have tested all of them. I have tested aluminum pistons, and stainless pistons (heavier), NAPA kits, Advance kits, Autozone kits, Corvette Vendor kits.... no difference.
The result is the same... let the car sit, and the calipers will leak.
The o-ring sets help.
The Autozone kits are the factory non-oring style
Before you buy the o-ring kits... ask what may be involved in the installation.
The Autozone kits work fine.
Regardless of which factory style seals you use, if the car sits a long time without being used, the seals develop a "flat spot" on the bottom where the seal sits in the bore with the weight of the piston on it.
This will also happen regardless of which type of brake fluid you use. DOT 3,4,5.... all the same in this respect. I have tested all of them. I have tested aluminum pistons, and stainless pistons (heavier), NAPA kits, Advance kits, Autozone kits, Corvette Vendor kits.... no difference.
The result is the same... let the car sit, and the calipers will leak.
The o-ring sets help.
The Autozone kits are the factory non-oring style
Before you buy the o-ring kits... ask what may be involved in the installation.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
So the autozone kits are the non o-ring style. does that mean I need to get an o-ring set on top of the autozone kit in order to make it more reliable?
Also, Im having trouble finding a place that will rebuild my calipers for me. Just brakes said they're company policy only lists 1 vehicle make/model that they aren't allowed to work on and thats the c3 vette.
Anyone on here in the DFW (arlington) area have a shop or know of a good brake shop that will treat ya right and not charge an arm and a leg? Thanks for the replies.
Also, Im having trouble finding a place that will rebuild my calipers for me. Just brakes said they're company policy only lists 1 vehicle make/model that they aren't allowed to work on and thats the c3 vette.
Anyone on here in the DFW (arlington) area have a shop or know of a good brake shop that will treat ya right and not charge an arm and a leg? Thanks for the replies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
It's either/or on the kits... not both. But some light machine work (AKA grinding) may be necessary to install the o-ring kits if you get the kits with new (different design) pistons.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
thanks for clarifying.
I've been calling around and getting price quotes and what not, and what it seems is that if they just do the autozone rebuild kit its kinda like doing a half *** job (correct me if im wrong). If I bought the o-ring kit there might be some maching to do, and the shops i've talked to don't have the equipment to do that and would rather just get an already rebuilt one. Does anyone know the quality of the AC delco rebuilt calipers?
One last thing, if I were to get the autozone kit installed theres still the chance of the pistons not working correctly or what not and the problem arising again correct?
I've been calling around and getting price quotes and what not, and what it seems is that if they just do the autozone rebuild kit its kinda like doing a half *** job (correct me if im wrong). If I bought the o-ring kit there might be some maching to do, and the shops i've talked to don't have the equipment to do that and would rather just get an already rebuilt one. Does anyone know the quality of the AC delco rebuilt calipers?
One last thing, if I were to get the autozone kit installed theres still the chance of the pistons not working correctly or what not and the problem arising again correct?
Last edited by bryant080; Jan 26, 2005 at 06:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Like others have said: just get a rebuild kit for the one that's bad. I put on SS calipers 20 years ago and have not had a problem with them. I recently had the rear torn apart so I rebuilt them with the regular kits.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: South MS
I rebuilt my calipers recently w/the vbp oring pistons. The AZ rebuild kits were a waste of time for me. My biggest problem was the corrosion on the pistons themselves.
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX, USA
Rebuilt that caliper!! Clean and paint it afterward.
The first time will take hours... The second will take 1/2 hour.
Get a breaker bar to loosen the bolts, then you're ready to go.
Don't use the AZ seals. For $30 or so you can get a 4 set from VB.
The AZ seals are thinner, and don't hold up. Both of these are the original lip
style which are good for regular periodic driving.
Bryant -
Trade you some sawsall training time for some brake rebuilding time...
Up in Allen... I'm trying to saw out my other trailing arm. Will need to
bring some good beer.
The first time will take hours... The second will take 1/2 hour.
Get a breaker bar to loosen the bolts, then you're ready to go.
Don't use the AZ seals. For $30 or so you can get a 4 set from VB.
The AZ seals are thinner, and don't hold up. Both of these are the original lip
style which are good for regular periodic driving.
Bryant -
Trade you some sawsall training time for some brake rebuilding time...
Up in Allen... I'm trying to saw out my other trailing arm. Will need to
bring some good beer.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
VBP's self-aligning O-Ring Sealed Pistons with Superior Stainless Steel Sleeves, is the FINAL SOLUTION to all of the inherent problems experienced with the original stock OEM Lip Sealed Steel Bore Calipers. These factory stock Calipers are a pain to maintain. Unlike our O-Ring seals, Lip seals require frequent applied fluid pressure. If your Vette is not driven often or is garaged for the Winter, gravity will cause stock Lip Seals to take on a relaxed set. Result ?.... All 16 pistons and seals become offset in caliper bores. Brake fluid then leaks and air contaminates your complete brake system. Not good ! As you drive your Vette, Lip Seals also fail to support Caliper Pistons with other known unsuspected leak problems: calpier piston cavitation, loose or worn wheel bearings, warped rotors and poor wheel alignment.. In 1977 we tackled and solved these brake problems, starting with our superior mirrored 4 micron finished stainless steel sleeves. These eliminated rust, corrosion and the rough stock steel wear surface. Our patented self aligning O-Ring Sealed Pistons was our final solution that took care of all remaining unpleasent issues.
I have an O-Ring conversion kit on sale now as well as several O-Ring Brake Kits until Friday the 28th.
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=830
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=280
Tony Czubernat
VBP
800-237-9991
Tony@vbandp.com
I have an O-Ring conversion kit on sale now as well as several O-Ring Brake Kits until Friday the 28th.
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=830
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=280
Tony Czubernat
VBP
800-237-9991
Tony@vbandp.com
Last edited by VBP; Jan 27, 2005 at 11:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
thanks for the offer adam, I don't know how I feel about driving 45 minutes with these brakes though. and I dont wanna get a tow either. Im going to talk to 1 more guy today about doin it out here then I might have to explore some other options.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by MN-Brent
Since your calipers are 3 yrs old and already have SS sleeves in them, they are most likely still good to use.
Get the VBP O-ring conversion kit for $130 which does all 4 calipers. It will be the best safety money you've spent, not to mention getting rid of the PITA factor of dealing with brake isses.
They also minimize the effects of rotor run-out.!!
Just do it!!
Brent...
Get the VBP O-ring conversion kit for $130 which does all 4 calipers. It will be the best safety money you've spent, not to mention getting rid of the PITA factor of dealing with brake isses.
They also minimize the effects of rotor run-out.!!
Just do it!!
Brent...
Just do it! For good measure, the o-ring pistons are much easier to install than the lip seal rebuilds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by ewalker302
I rebuilt my calipers recently w/the vbp oring pistons. The AZ rebuild kits were a waste of time for me. My biggest problem was the corrosion on the pistons themselves.
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
Her ya go...
BEWARE of the o-ring "kit" you buy, the VBP will work just fine but the Zero Tolerance kit requires you grind the bottom of ALL the bores where the ss sleeve ends. They (at least not VBP) do NOT bore the hole for the new sleeve EXACTLY centered to the existing hole. PITA!!! ...redvetracr
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=grind+caliper
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by ewalker302
I rebuilt my calipers recently w/the vbp oring pistons. The AZ rebuild kits were a waste of time for me. My biggest problem was the corrosion on the pistons themselves.
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
I had already done them w/the autozone kits, and they still leaked. It was actually an easier job to rebuild the calipers with the o-ring pistons than it was to reassemble with the stock lip seals.
Since I changed to the o-ring style...no leaks, and firmer brake pedal.
I've had my brakes apart more times than I want to remember, and I searched a lot for info before buying the o-ring pistons. I have never heard of machining needing to be done to the calipers when changing to the new pistons (honing maybe).
Her ya go...
BEWARE of the o-ring "kit" you buy, the VBP will work just fine but the Zero Tolerance kit requires you grind the bottom of ALL the bores where the ss sleeve ends. They (at least not VBP) do NOT bore the hole for the new sleeve EXACTLY centered to the existing hole. PITA!!! ...redvetracr
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=grind+caliper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Tony@VBP is having a great sale on a complete caliper kit with O ring seals. Three of my four stainless steel remanufactured calipers started leaking and they are Delco castings. I have placed my order with VBP because I cannot see taking a chance on having a brake problem at the wrong time. I also had the master cylinder and sleeved and brake booster rebuilt. When it comes to safety is saving a few "C" notes worth the risk?
Just my two cents.
I too am a cheap SOB except when it comes to my wife and my vette.
Bill
Just my two cents.
I too am a cheap SOB except when it comes to my wife and my vette.
Bill
