Brakes breaking…
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 6
Brakes breaking…
So I bought a 1986 corvette, at time of purchase the car was in ok shape, a week later I keep finding problem after problem lol, a good bit of the engine seals need replacement, the power steering pump and steering gear need replaced, headlights stopped working and now the biggest problem yet… the brake system is on the verge of failing. I keep reading about these j55 brakes but I can’t find any for sale nor a conversion/adapter kit for c5 brake swap. But what I want to know what kind of calipers to use for the car (bracketed, unbracketed, number of pistons and what works with the car) please help!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 6
well I’m not a mechanic but the front calipers are shot, the brake booster is broke, the master cylinder is leaking and the abs sensor has quite literally disintegrated. Not to mention the lines then selves are fucked.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Well...head down to your favorite auto parts store and order up an entire brake system. I guess. I know that's what *I* would do, if all of that stuff were truly unserviceable. That or find a part-out and buy the whole deal, used.
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 702
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
Mattchas00,
From reading your posts, you sound somewhat overwhelmed. I understand if you are because these old cars can be overwhelming, I know personally. Been there. Since you say you are not a mechanic, I suggest you do one of three things:
1. Sell this car, get another. If you are not ready and capable of dealing with problem after problem, a 30+year old performance car with lots of problems may not be right for you. Shop for a similar well-sorted 80’s Corvette and start learning about these amazing cars on a solid footing.
2. Park the car and take one system at a time. The brakes are the most important. No need for an upgrade when the basics aren’t working. Just go back with stock parts. New master cylinder and front calipers are not difficult and are readily available from multiple sources. Bleed them properly and get them working. When you say your steering is shot, do you mean lots of slack/wobble left-right or up-down, no power steering, other? There are professional mechanics on this forum who can help you solve any problem on this car (Tom400cfi is one) if you provide detailed descriptions of one system at a time. It is a machine. With enough time, patience, and money, you can fix it.
3. Take it to a trusted mechanic to fix it, but get ready to pay probably more than the car is worth due to labor rates.
Welcome to CovetteForum!
From reading your posts, you sound somewhat overwhelmed. I understand if you are because these old cars can be overwhelming, I know personally. Been there. Since you say you are not a mechanic, I suggest you do one of three things:
1. Sell this car, get another. If you are not ready and capable of dealing with problem after problem, a 30+year old performance car with lots of problems may not be right for you. Shop for a similar well-sorted 80’s Corvette and start learning about these amazing cars on a solid footing.
2. Park the car and take one system at a time. The brakes are the most important. No need for an upgrade when the basics aren’t working. Just go back with stock parts. New master cylinder and front calipers are not difficult and are readily available from multiple sources. Bleed them properly and get them working. When you say your steering is shot, do you mean lots of slack/wobble left-right or up-down, no power steering, other? There are professional mechanics on this forum who can help you solve any problem on this car (Tom400cfi is one) if you provide detailed descriptions of one system at a time. It is a machine. With enough time, patience, and money, you can fix it.
3. Take it to a trusted mechanic to fix it, but get ready to pay probably more than the car is worth due to labor rates.
Welcome to CovetteForum!
