Rebuild Calipers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
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From: East TN
Rebuild Calipers
Im doing the C5 upgrade on the front brakes and also replacing all the brake lines. I was wondering if I should rebuild the rear calipers (already bought the kit but dont know how much of a pain it is)?
The car has around 150k miles and I dont think the seals have been replaced in those rear calipers. I have to take them off anyways to replace the lines. Should I go for it or leave it alone?
The car has around 150k miles and I dont think the seals have been replaced in those rear calipers. I have to take them off anyways to replace the lines. Should I go for it or leave it alone?
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
That depends, mileage is not a big issue, IF the fluid has been flushed regularly. Fluid contamination is the most common cause of hydraulic problems in a brake system. If you do decide to use them as is, flush the system before removing them, particularly if you're replacing the pads and will be pushing the pistons back in. Some calipers are a bit more of a pain to rebuild than others, but most aren't too bad. Usually the main pain is getting the pistons started back in.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
The rear calipers on the 88-96 cars are not easy, but they are not hard. It is mainly due to the parking brake mechanism that is built into the caliper.
The rebuild kit also includes some parts for the parking brake. I agree though, flush the system before you remove and rebuild.
The rebuild kit also includes some parts for the parking brake. I agree though, flush the system before you remove and rebuild.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Jeffvette
The rear calipers on the 88-96 cars are not easy, but they are not hard. It is mainly due to the parking brake mechanism that is built into the caliper.
The rebuild kit also includes some parts for the parking brake. I agree though, flush the system before you remove and rebuild.
The rebuild kit also includes some parts for the parking brake. I agree though, flush the system before you remove and rebuild.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Jeffvette
84-87 uses a drum style that sits in the inner portion of the rotor hub. Similar to the C5.
Apologies for the flagrant thread highjacking BTW....
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: VA
Originally Posted by dan6712cc
The car has around 150k miles and I dont think the seals have been replaced in those rear calipers. I have to take them off anyways to replace the lines. Should I go for it or leave it alone?
My bores had noticeable wear at 70k, so at 150k I'd expect yours to have substantial wear. If it was my car at 150k I'd be thinking about new calipers rather than just replacing seals.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
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From: East TN
Originally Posted by steve9899
Replacing the seals is simple. I did it on my car recently when I had the rear apart for a gear change.
My bores had noticeable wear at 70k, so at 150k I'd expect yours to have substantial wear. If it was my car at 150k I'd be thinking about new calipers rather than just replacing seals.
My bores had noticeable wear at 70k, so at 150k I'd expect yours to have substantial wear. If it was my car at 150k I'd be thinking about new calipers rather than just replacing seals.
Just checked at gmpartsdirect, $300 for the rear set shipped, ouch. I'd order from Superior Chevy though gmpartsdirect takes forver.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
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From: East TN
On a side note, it seems like I go through pads pretty fast. I go through the rears about every 18 months and my 94 is a daily driver. I use stock pads... could it be the calipers or my lead foot?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: VA
Originally Posted by dan6712cc
Just checked at gmpartsdirect, $300 for the rear set shipped, ouch. I'd order from Superior Chevy though gmpartsdirect takes forver.
Originally Posted by dan6712cc
On a side note, it seems like I go through pads pretty fast. I go through the rears about every 18 months and my 94 is a daily driver. I use stock pads... could it be the calipers or my lead foot?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
Originally Posted by steve9899
$250 shipped from ac-direct. $250 every 150k is not much.
You'd have to tell us your annual mileage. If you're going 60k in 18 months then it's normal.
You'd have to tell us your annual mileage. If you're going 60k in 18 months then it's normal.
Thanks for the heads up on ac-direct... I always thought gmpartsdirect was the cheapest way to go.
Last edited by dan6712cc; Jun 12, 2005 at 09:43 AM.
