Need help with '86 4 piston caliper
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Need help with '86 4 piston caliper
Hello all,
My friend and I are working on a project car (64 Impala) that has the entire brake setup from a '86 vette. Anyway, the car has been sitting for along time and we are finally starting to work on it again.
The problem that we are having with the calipers is getting the pistons compressed so that we can install new pads and mount it on the rotors. I have done many disk brakes before, but never 4 piston calipers. When I compress the pistons, they just pop right back out. Is there a trick to getting these pistons to stay compressed so you can slide in the pads?
Thanks for your help!
My friend and I are working on a project car (64 Impala) that has the entire brake setup from a '86 vette. Anyway, the car has been sitting for along time and we are finally starting to work on it again.
The problem that we are having with the calipers is getting the pistons compressed so that we can install new pads and mount it on the rotors. I have done many disk brakes before, but never 4 piston calipers. When I compress the pistons, they just pop right back out. Is there a trick to getting these pistons to stay compressed so you can slide in the pads?
Thanks for your help!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
1986 Corvette's didn't have a 4 piston caliper. Can you post a pic of these parts? I wonder if you are not using a C3 or an aftermarket braking system.
any markings on the calipers?
perhaps there is a spring in there? I donno... just tossing out ideas.
any markings on the calipers?
perhaps there is a spring in there? I donno... just tossing out ideas.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Menomonee Falls Wisconsin
Originally Posted by bogus
1986 Corvette's didn't have a 4 piston caliper. Can you post a pic of these parts? I wonder if you are not using a C3 or an aftermarket braking system.
any markings on the calipers?
perhaps there is a spring in there? I donno... just tossing out ideas.
any markings on the calipers?
perhaps there is a spring in there? I donno... just tossing out ideas.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks guys, my friend is going to check his receipts to double check the year of the vette. He was there when the shop took them off the donor vette. He also got the engine, which is now in the '64.
The last time any work was done on this car was 1987. You know how it is...
Thanks again, I'll get some pics to post.
The last time any work was done on this car was 1987. You know how it is...
Thanks again, I'll get some pics to post.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Try using a piece of metal or such the size of a brake pad across the 4 pistons and use a 'C' clamp to compress the 4 at the same time. Make sure that you open the bleeder when you do this. Once you get the pistons down, close the bleeder. Install caliper and pads and re-bleed.
Or with opposing pistons, do the same for each side. Use 2 ‘C’ clamps And then close the bleeder.
Or with opposing pistons, do the same for each side. Use 2 ‘C’ clamps And then close the bleeder.
Last edited by pcolt94; Sep 7, 2006 at 06:31 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
'86 should be 1 piston. Are the 2 all on one side of the caliper or 2 on each side? There is a caliper spreading tool made for doing exactly this. You leave the pads in place, put the tool in and spread the pads back out.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Sounds like a C3 caliper. Unless it's a aftermarket piece
Before compressing the pistons in, I would suggest that you pop them out and rebuild the calipers.
Before compressing the pistons in, I would suggest that you pop them out and rebuild the calipers.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The only 4piston vette caliper I know of is the C6Z rears, or maybe some older cast iron ones before 84. Toyota used 4 pistons in 86 on some of its vehicles.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
The only 4piston vette caliper I know of is the C6Z rears, or maybe some older cast iron ones before 84. Toyota used 4 pistons in 86 on some of its vehicles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
Many of the Corvette part vendors sell the piston clip that holds back the pistons while you slide the pads in. They are just a cheap thin metal clip that you could probably make if you could see them. Check out the vendors like Mid America, Ecklers, Corvette Central, Zip, or others.
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