C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

? on c5 brake caliper install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 02:54 PM
  #1  
bobmic93's Avatar
bobmic93
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Default ? on c5 brake caliper install

Is the abutement bracket supposed to have a little play. I have the bolts as tight as can be to the caliper but it has a little wiggle room where the caliper can slide side to side. Also the rattle clip that install to the top part of caliper on the inside seems to be able to seat in either way. Does it matter? Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 03:18 PM
  #2  
BlackHarleyMan's Avatar
BlackHarleyMan
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Default

There should be no play in the abutement brackets, they should be as tight as a drum. Make sure that you've placed your washers in the right location, which should be next to the head of the bolt that holds the bracket in place.

R/Noland

P.S. I also remember when I first installed mine, I put the bracket on the wrong side of the adapter bracket the first time. I noticed it when my rotor did not properly lineup with the caliper. Just another thing to consider.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 03:39 PM
  #3  
bobmic93's Avatar
bobmic93
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

Im sorry the abutement is tight its those two long bolts that hold the caliper and abutement together and it allows the caliper to slide side to side on the partially threaded bolts. With me. Do you remember ****ing with that rattle clip top side of caliper?
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 05:34 PM
  #4  
abc 123's Avatar
abc 123
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 2
From: Deep inside GM
Default

The bolt holding the slider pin, should be tight. You will need a open end wrench to hold the top of the slider pin while you tighten the bolt.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 05:36 PM
  #5  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Default

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2058164

Here is a link to a thread with a very good illustration of the proper assembly of the C5 caliper pad/abutement.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 05:51 PM
  #6  
bobmic93's Avatar
bobmic93
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

ya that bolt is tight and I used the same illustration. Now the caliper slides over the two slider pins and after I put the caliper over the rotor and tightend the abutment to the adapter I noticed play where the caliper has a little slide room. Just a little as its riding the slider pins.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:05 PM
  #7  
abc 123's Avatar
abc 123
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 2
From: Deep inside GM
Default

Yes it should slide a little. It's not a fixed caliper.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:05 PM
  #8  
BlackHarleyMan's Avatar
BlackHarleyMan
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by bobmic93
ya that bolt is tight and I used the same illustration. Now the caliper slides over the two slider pins and after I put the caliper over the rotor and tightend the abutment to the adapter I noticed play where the caliper has a little slide room. Just a little as its riding the slider pins.
Then it sounds like you've got it right. Once you get the brake pads to settle, then the movement won't be as much, but the caliper is suppose to slide back and forth on the guide pins. Make sure you use a good lube to keep them from binding up also!

R/Noland
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:22 PM
  #9  
JohnyH's Avatar
JohnyH
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Default

I just finished mine on Thursday night, I Installed all the bolts for the adapter plate and the abutment bracket with blue thread lock and then torqued to 120 ft/lbs. Then installed the calipers as per the drawing with the anti-rattle clips, torque on the bolts threaded into the pins at 20 ft/lbs. After bleeding I don't find any play in the caliper, it stops quicker but I still have to install the DRM propotioning spring in the master cylinder. I just had to drive it today, the weather was way to nice to do anything else!!!!!!!!!!!



So what is loose?

John
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:36 PM
  #10  
JohnyH's Avatar
JohnyH
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Default

Originally Posted by BlackHarleyMan
Then it sounds like you've got it right. Once you get the brake pads to settle, then the movement won't be as much, but the caliper is suppose to slide back and forth on the guide pins. Make sure you use a good lube to keep them from binding up also!

R/Noland
After bleeding there will be very little play if any!

John
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 07:36 PM
  #11  
Aurora40's Avatar
Aurora40
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Default

Originally Posted by bobmic93
Now the caliper slides over the two slider pins and after I put the caliper over the rotor and tightend the abutment to the adapter I noticed play where the caliper has a little slide room. Just a little as its riding the slider pins.
This would be because it's a floating caliper. The reason it slides is because you (presumably) pressed the piston completely back in the bore in order to put everything together. The pads don't fill up every bit of space, so there is some space left for the caliper to slide. Once you press the brake pedal, the piston will extend and take up that slack.

Oh, and for lubing the pins, don't use any petroleum based grease. Apparently they can attack the rubber seals. Silicone grease is the thing to use.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 08:12 PM
  #12  
bobmic93's Avatar
bobmic93
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

I didnt use any grease on the pins or thread lock on the bolts and I didnt use a tq wrench on the bolts. Just took it as far as My huge muscles allowed. I could redo it as I only have one wheel done. Im struggling with braking the nut loose on the hard brake line as Im changing to braided lines while im there.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2008 | 11:03 PM
  #13  
abc 123's Avatar
abc 123
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 2
From: Deep inside GM
Default

You must grease the slider pins or they will rust and get trapped in the abutment bracket. The bolts new have thread lock on them. Unless you bought used stuff.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 08:42 AM
  #14  
Aurora40's Avatar
Aurora40
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Default

Originally Posted by bobmic93
I didnt use any grease on the pins or thread lock on the bolts and I didnt use a tq wrench on the bolts. Just took it as far as My huge muscles allowed. I could redo it as I only have one wheel done. Im struggling with braking the nut loose on the hard brake line as Im changing to braided lines while im there.
Having a caliper bolt back out and the caliper swing into the wheel is not a lesson most people want to learn.

If you didn't buy new bolts (if they didn't have a band of red on them), you should consider removing them and putting thread-locker on.

And if you used your huge muscle on a bar less than a foot long (like on an 8" ratchet or something), don't count on them being even close to torqued properly.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 09:43 AM
  #15  
bobmic93's Avatar
bobmic93
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by Aurora40
Having a caliper bolt back out and the caliper swing into the wheel is not a lesson most people want to learn.

If you didn't buy new bolts (if they didn't have a band of red on them), you should consider removing them and putting thread-locker on.

And if you used your huge muscle on a bar less than a foot long (like on an 8" ratchet or something), don't count on them being even close to torqued properly.
I did go back and put the blue thread lock on the abutement threads and the adapter threads. I also lubed the slider pins. I will use a neighbors tq wrench and tq em down. Anyone know how many pounds. I think its around 125lb?
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 09:57 AM
  #16  
JohnyH's Avatar
JohnyH
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Default

In my 88 FSM its a 137 ft/lbs, I used a 120 ft/lbs when reassembling the adapter and abutment bracket this time! The reason is I had replaced it all with new rotors and pads 4 years ago, when reassembling then, I had used blue thread lock and I had a heck of a time taking it apart this time. I needed to use a pipe over my 3/4" drive ratchet handle to get it apart!

John

Last edited by JohnyH; Jul 6, 2008 at 09:18 PM. Reason: spelling
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:25 AM
  #17  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

Originally Posted by bobmic93
I did go back and put the blue thread lock on the abutement threads and the adapter threads. I also lubed the slider pins. I will use a neighbors tq wrench and tq em down. Anyone know how many pounds. I think its around 125lb?
Torque values for the caliper bracket bolts vary by year. In the FSM for my 92, the torque spec for the front bolts was 165 ft-lbs +/- 15 ft-lbs. My 87 manual calls for 137 ft-lbs.

Using a threadlocker like Loctite Blue is a good idea. The original bolts came with a threadlocker already applied. When new GM bolts are purchased, they have the threadlocker on them. You can easily resue the old bolts after cleaning any old threadlocker from the bolt threads and the female threads on the bracket.

You don't wnat to use the Loctite Red stuff That material requires heat to loosen bolts where it is used.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2008 | 10:13 PM
  #18  
ebmiller88's Avatar
ebmiller88
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 301
Likes: 2
From: Fort Mill SC
Default

Hey Bob...

If you are installing new or recently rebuilt calipers, they will slide a bit back and forth until the calipers are fully bled and the pads are closer to the rotor. As stated above, the guide pins need to be lubed up with some grease. I use some white sticky stuff from Super Lube, it's synthetic and sticks like crazy but lubes very well. Make sure the guide pin seals are in good order as well.

The abutment brackets do need some threadlocker, I always recommend the red stuff as they are brake bolts, and torque as the manual specifies, but rarely will you need over 50-75 Ft-lbs. You'll give yourself a hernia attempting those 100+ ft-lb marks. The blue stuff is fine.

The rattle clip at the top should only fit one way with the wider part toward the caliper pistons but some guys take them out for better air flow over the rotor vanes. They aren't a must have but help to keep the pads tight in the abutment.

Glad you liked the brackets!

Ed Miller
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To ? on c5 brake caliper install





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:27 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE