Really...how hard is it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Really...how hard is it?
Seriously contemplating getting drilled/slotted rotors and painting the calipers black on my Speedway White '03 coupe. My stock rotors are rusted on the hats. I used caliper paint and painted them by hand last year but new rotors would look a lot better.
I've seen several write ups here that make it look like a piece of cake. My big concern is breaking the caliper bolts free. From what I've read they are torqued pretty good. I'm afraid I'll get the wheels off then not be able to get the calipers off.
Is it really that bad of a job?
One other question - many of the rotor sets I've seen are bright zinc plated. Won't they rust after the plating gets worn off?
Just curious...thanks in advance for any opinions/answers.
I've seen several write ups here that make it look like a piece of cake. My big concern is breaking the caliper bolts free. From what I've read they are torqued pretty good. I'm afraid I'll get the wheels off then not be able to get the calipers off.
Is it really that bad of a job?
One other question - many of the rotor sets I've seen are bright zinc plated. Won't they rust after the plating gets worn off?
Just curious...thanks in advance for any opinions/answers.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Ogden Utah
Painted mine recently. I just put a wrench on the caliper bolt and tapped it "gently" with hammer. Genlty is subjective.
Its kind of a PITA to get everything masked off properly if youre planning on spraying them. I did mine, and then sprayed some of the paint in the cap and used a brush for small touch ups. Also, if you have the raised Corvette lettering, just rub some chap stick on them before you paint. Then scrape of with a razor blade.
Its kind of a PITA to get everything masked off properly if youre planning on spraying them. I did mine, and then sprayed some of the paint in the cap and used a brush for small touch ups. Also, if you have the raised Corvette lettering, just rub some chap stick on them before you paint. Then scrape of with a razor blade.
Last edited by StripedZebra; Dec 30, 2014 at 08:30 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Clovis California
Drilled Slotted Roter Install
Seriously contemplating getting drilled/slotted rotors and painting the calipers black on my Speedway White '03 coupe. My stock rotors are rusted on the hats. I used caliper paint and painted them by hand last year but new rotors would look a lot better.
I've seen several write ups here that make it look like a piece of cake. My big concern is breaking the caliper bolts free. From what I've read they are torqued pretty good. I'm afraid I'll get the wheels off then not be able to get the calipers off.
Is it really that bad of a job?
One other question - many of the rotor sets I've seen are bright zinc plated. Won't they rust after the plating gets worn off?
Just curious...thanks in advance for any opinions/answers.
I've seen several write ups here that make it look like a piece of cake. My big concern is breaking the caliper bolts free. From what I've read they are torqued pretty good. I'm afraid I'll get the wheels off then not be able to get the calipers off.
Is it really that bad of a job?
One other question - many of the rotor sets I've seen are bright zinc plated. Won't they rust after the plating gets worn off?
Just curious...thanks in advance for any opinions/answers.
Warren
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
Don't be afraid to tackle this. Yes the caliper bracket bolts are tight, if you don't have a lift and are working with jacks you probably don't have enough room to get sufficient leverage to break them loose, as stated here, an impact makes life easy, or a box wrench and a hammer, and don't be afraid to be aggressive with the hammer. Once they are loose, torquing them back to 120ftlbs is not too difficult as there is just enough room/leverage to do this with a torque wrench.
I used BrakeMotive dimple-drilled and slotted and zinc coated rotors with ceramic pads and couldn't be happier.....especially at $200 delivered to my door! I have not experienced any deterioration of the zinc protection and the rotors still look like new.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Don't be afraid to tackle this. Yes the caliper bracket bolts are tight, if you don't have a lift and are working with jacks you probably don't have enough room to get sufficient leverage to break them loose, as stated here, an impact makes life easy, or a box wrench and a hammer, and don't be afraid to be aggressive with the hammer. Once they are loose, torquing them back to 120ftlbs is not too difficult as there is just enough room/leverage to do this with a torque wrench.
I used BrakeMotive dimple-drilled and slotted and zinc coated rotors with ceramic pads and couldn't be happier.....especially at $200 delivered to my door! I have not experienced any deterioration of the zinc protection and the rotors still look like new.
.
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Don't be afraid to tackle this. Yes the caliper bracket bolts are tight, if you don't have a lift and are working with jacks you probably don't have enough room to get sufficient leverage to break them loose, as stated here, an impact makes life easy, or a box wrench and a hammer, and don't be afraid to be aggressive with the hammer. Once they are loose, torquing them back to 120ftlbs is not too difficult as there is just enough room/leverage to do this with a torque wrench.
Doing this job is not all that difficult but as mentioned, getting the bolts loose can be a challenge. However, with the proper tools and a little patience, and perhaps something like a rust penetrator spray, they will come loose.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,233
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From: Laguna Niguel Ca
Glad to hear the good reports on Brakemotive. Mine will be here next week!!! I went ahead and ordered the MGP caliper covers. I didn't want to mess with painting them and I really like the look of the covers.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Is there enough room behind the wheel for an impact wrench with a socket? I've never had the wheels off...seems like it would be pretty tight in the wheel well.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
No air, but I have one of those handy-dandy 12V electric impacts from Harbor Freight. It's a kit for changing tires.
Is there enough room behind the wheel for an impact wrench with a socket? I've never had the wheels off...seems like it would be pretty tight in the wheel well.
Is there enough room behind the wheel for an impact wrench with a socket? I've never had the wheels off...seems like it would be pretty tight in the wheel well.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc-...p-00915888000P
My cordless electric impact will only break those bolts loose maybe half the time though, so you might end up using the box end wrench and hammer method anyway. That's what I did before I got my air tools (and what I still do at the track).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
The issue with the tight bolts is they go thru the caliper housing and are exposed on the other side to the elements. If you can locate the other end of the bolt and spray some penetrating oil on this portion you will find it very easy to remove. Don't be afraid to tackle this project as most Corvettes don't see serious corrosion and bolts should be a breeze. Make sure you have the correct socket to remove so you don't round off the end of the bolt. Good luck and enjoy the $800- you saved by doing it yourself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
No air, but I have one of those handy-dandy 12V electric impacts from Harbor Freight. It's a kit for changing tires. Is there enough room behind the wheel for an impact wrench with a socket? I've never had the wheels off...seems like it would be pretty tight in the wheel well.