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My car has a rattle coming from the left front brake caliper. Mechanic says pin (slid out with no effort) is loose due to the hole in the caliper becoming enlarged.
My question is can anyone identify this caliper? If possible I'd like to get the same ones that are on the car. But I'm open for discussion about purchasing a different brand.
1996 has the HD 13" calipers (option/rpo code J55). standard issue on 1995-1996, optional on most other C4's back to the 80's.
I have many photos because i JUST did the upgrade to my 1994.
(those look original other than painted red)
The retaining pin locks the pads to the abutment bracket. Nothing goes into the caliper.
just FYI: he'll needs to make sure that he gets a bracket for J55 as the 12" brackets are a different bracket as well (thats what I was told anyways when I bought my calipers).
the more i think, this seems fishy...would this item actually wear? or would the pin be damaged...or even the wrong pin...PO's do some crazy things!!!
I do have the listed RPO Code J55 (heavy duty braking). Going to measure the rotors before I do a parts order. Now I'm wondering if the guy was talking about the hold down bracket is worn, quoted a price of $178.00. Wasn't paying that much attention because the rear wheel bearing was just replaced and the car wouldn't start due to the security system (glad I had the owners manual, part about opening the door with the key did the trick).
Also replaced the pin from a hardware kit I purchased.
If the calipers are original then it's time to replace them plus brackets, rotors and pads. I have no issue with the brakes, pedal is high, not spongy and stops great. But there is that dam pesky rattle and it's driving me nuts.. Takes away from a most enjoyable driving experience. I keep hearing in the back of my head "car is 24 years old'. many potential sellers reminded me of that.
without investigating (and thinking about a couple earlier posts, including mine), the pin slides between the bracket and a notch in the caliper so either part could be worn, or it was the pin. in any case, bracket and caliper need to be J55 compliant. if you plan to replace the calipers, many folks go with C5 but truth be told, there is VERY little difference between the two for daily street driving and many folks in the forum will say that. The cost to do C5 or J55 are about the same however there is an added $150 cost to buy the C4/C5 adapting bracket. another thing to note is going to C5 wont allow the use of factory sawblades (without spacers) but J55 13" front brakes will allow sawblades.
heres a video i made discussing my recent brake upgrade.
just FYI: he'll needs to make sure that he gets a bracket for J55 as the 12" brackets are a different bracket as well (thats what I was told anyways when I bought my calipers).
the more i think, this seems fishy...would this item actually wear? or would the pin be damaged...or even the wrong pin...PO's do some crazy things!!!
Thanks for your interesting comment. Who knows what people do, mix and match parts even though its not right but whatever makes it right etc.. Basically no history on the vehicle. My goal is to stop the caliper rattle without spending any more than necessary right now.
Thanks for your interesting comment. Who knows what people do, mix and match parts even though its not right but whatever makes it right etc.. Basically no history on the vehicle. My goal is to stop the caliper rattle without spending any more than necessary right now.
Should I start with the bracket?
you'd almost have to remove the caliper and visually take a look at the notch in the caliper and the notch in the bracket...the pin slides through both so either or both could be wore, or it was just simply a bad pin (for whatever reason).
the caliper removed by simply pulling the pin out and sliding it off the rotor. the bracket is held in with 2 bolts that will more than likely require a breaker bar...but the bracket doesnt need to come out unless it's bad (wore)
Thank you Mark970 for the quick reply/info and posting your most informative video. In bed, i've been falling asleep viewing tons of corvette how to videos and I do remember some of the one you posted.
I don't, have the original wheels, car came with the C5 standards. Hopefully that won't be an issue.
Now hopefully the caliper rattle will be fixed, then on to other things like the rear hatch, top, and door window seals.
Did I mention how much I love driving this car? Nothing like a nice weather day in a corvette.
I do have the listed RPO Code J55 (heavy duty braking). Going to measure the rotors before I do a parts order. Now I'm wondering if the guy was talking about the hold down bracket is worn, quoted a price of $178.00. Wasn't paying that much attention because the rear wheel bearing was just replaced and the car wouldn't start due to the security system (glad I had the owners manual, part about opening the door with the key did the trick).
Also replaced the pin from a hardware kit I purchased.
If the calipers are original then it's time to replace them plus brackets, rotors and pads. I have no issue with the brakes, pedal is high, not spongy and stops great. But there is that dam pesky rattle and it's driving me nuts.. Takes away from a most enjoyable driving experience. I keep hearing in the back of my head "car is 24 years old'. many potential sellers reminded me of that.
No need to replace everything. Pull the tire off and investigate. There are springs/tangs attached to one side of the pad to provide tension and then the pin looks it in place. You could have pads that the tangs are gone or never were there in the first place and it didn’t bother the previous owner. You could get by as cheap as a new pin or just a pad change. There is no reason to replace everything.
I think that's what Chump was talking about! if your fix is that simple and cheap that would be awesome! i just can't see there being anything wrong with the cast metal parts.
I sure do hope this will fix my problem. Already picked up the kit and used one of the pins.
Question before I do any damage.. How do I open up the caliper to slide the assembly off the rotor? Never done one before, this is all new to me.
just use a soft faced mallet (or any hammer that you have available...maybe a block of wood to tap on?) gently tap the caliper off...it's ONLY held on by the pads compressed on them ONCE THE PIN HAS BEEN REMOVED!!!
near the end of this video i talk about removing/installing the pin
Sounds simple enough. Remove the pin (e clip and washer), tap the caliper off with a soft mallet (leaving the bracket in place), install the clips (one on each pad (bottom)) and reinstall.
Sounds simple enough. Remove the pin (e clip and washer), tap the caliper off with a soft mallet (leaving the bracket in place), install the clips (one on each pad (bottom)) and reinstall.
I think that's what Chump was talking about! if your fix is that simple and cheap that would be awesome! i just can't see there being anything wrong with the cast metal parts.
i hope this is your fix!
I had an issue with the abutment brackets on my 91. The pin would just pop out of the slot on the bracket and cause the caliper to come off and scrape against the inside of the wheel. I put a new pin in and it popped out again. I had to replace the bracket and have not had an issue since. All of this happened one of the first times i autocrossed this car after buying it. I walked the track after the event and found one of the pins with the e-clip still in place. I have since beat the ever loving crap out of the car with no issues. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...liper-pin.html
The cast parts can have issues. As i said the bracket can stretch/wear where the pin goes into it. Also the calipers themselves can spread apart. If you ever have bad taper in the pads, the caliper has spread.
As to the OP problem, I was going to suggest the clips for the pads. Had that issue on my sister's 93 40th when we got it. Clips were missing and there was a rattle in the brakes when hitting bumps. Went away when lightly pressing brake pedal. Put clips in and the rattle went away permanently.
I had an issue with the abutment brackets on my 91. The pin would just pop out of the slot on the bracket and cause the caliper to come off and scrape against the inside of the wheel. I put a new pin in and it popped out again. I had to replace the bracket and have not had an issue since. All of this happened one of the first times i autocrossed this car after buying it. I walked the track after the event and found one of the pins with the e-clip still in place. I have since beat the ever loving crap out of the car with no issues. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...liper-pin.html
The cast parts can have issues. As i said the bracket can stretch/wear where the pin goes into it. Also the calipers themselves can spread apart. If you ever have bad taper in the pads, the caliper has spread.
As to the OP problem, I was going to suggest the clips for the pads. Had that issue on my sister's 93 40th when we got it. Clips were missing and there was a rattle in the brakes when hitting bumps. Went away when lightly pressing brake pedal. Put clips in and the rattle went away permanently.
I like the forums because of the wealth of knowledge, sadly there is just as much toxicity so i appreciate your ability to educate vs criticize
I am overwhelmed by the excellent responses to my question(s). The "anti rattle" clips are definitely missing and hopefully will be installed in 2 days.
The outcome will be posted.
96 Coupe Front Caliper
