Caliper replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 144
Likes: 38
From: Branford Florida
Caliper replacement
Hi all so I got a 2021 Black C8 with black calipers. I want to change out the black ones for red ones. I have the red ones and am trying to get as much info as possible before I change them out. I know step one is disconnect the battery. I am replacing the Oem pads with low dust ones. I also have replaced calipers on my C6/7 but don’t want to screw this up on my C8. I guess I could take it to the dealership and have them do it but, being retired I have time to do it myself. I enjoy working on my car as I’m sure lots of people do here. So with the exception of the battery disconnect are there any additional issues I should be concerned with?
I have in the past asked for advice on other things on the forum and always get great advice. Thx in advance.
I have in the past asked for advice on other things on the forum and always get great advice. Thx in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 59
From: McLean Va
Hi all so I got a 2021 Black C8 with black calipers. I want to change out the black ones for red ones. I have the red ones and am trying to get as much info as possible before I change them out. I know step one is disconnect the battery. I am replacing the Oem pads with low dust ones. I also have replaced calipers on my C6/7 but don’t want to screw this up on my C8. I guess I could take it to the dealership and have them do it but, being retired I have time to do it myself. I enjoy working on my car as I’m sure lots of people do here. So with the exception of the battery disconnect are there any additional issues I should be concerned with?
I have in the past asked for advice on other things on the forum and always get great advice. Thx in advance.
I have in the past asked for advice on other things on the forum and always get great advice. Thx in advance.
rear was easy, punch out the pins, a spring clip, and slid right out.
don’t forget brake pad grease between the pistons and the pads. Otherwise, might end up with pad sqeal.
if you mess up and brake warning comes on and top speed limited to 43mph, don’t panic. There is a simple way to reset without going to the dealer.
search will bring it up.
Have fun!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 144
Likes: 38
From: Branford Florida
I’m changing out the calipers and the pads with the carbotechs. I was looking for some insight about changing the calipers. If it’s not any different than changing them out on a C6/7 then I should be ok. I appreciate the advice though.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
Similar process. You'll be fine if you have experience with brake calipers on other vehicles. Two bolts + fluid hose. Swapping pads is even easier with the calipers off (that's how I did my fronts). Remember to grab a bottle of DOT4 brake fluid to bleed the new calipers once bolted back together.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 2,323
From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I changed the pads and rotors on my C8. One thing that almost beat me was loosening the two bolts on the rear calipers, They are very tight and have some kind of thread lock (tight to turn even after initially broken loose). The fronts have the same problem except that you can turn the steering wheel to get a breaker bar on them. I couldn't get a breaker bar on the rear. Maybe some kind of impact wrench would work (I didn't have one). I had my car 24" high on a QuickJack lift so I don't think lifting it higher would have helped. I finally got them off with a long box end wrench wielded by my 25 year old football-playing nephew.
Other than that, it's a piece of cake. Since I didn't remove the brake lines I didn't need to bleed the brakes. I've read on the forum that some folks use a power bleeder. The process is pretty much what @second chance describes in post #2 above, except he didn't have to remove the rear calipers.
Good luck,
Other than that, it's a piece of cake. Since I didn't remove the brake lines I didn't need to bleed the brakes. I've read on the forum that some folks use a power bleeder. The process is pretty much what @second chance describes in post #2 above, except he didn't have to remove the rear calipers.
Good luck,
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 144
Likes: 38
From: Branford Florida
Hey all quick update on my caliper replacement. It took me about two hours to replace all 4 calipers. The bolts holding the calipers on were a little tight but not too bad. I used a dead blow hammer and a 18/21 mm wrench to loosen them. They had some loc tight on them but came out with no problems. On the other hand it took me two hours to bleed the brakes. I used a vacuum bleeder and it worked pretty well. All in all it wasn’t to bad. So now I have a set of front and rear black calipers for sale. The oem brake pads made a mess of them I’ll clean them up and post them on the parts forum page.
Thx to all for the information provided and definitely disconnect the negative terminal from the battery before starting. After hooking the battery back up no cel code or anything. I did install the power stop pads and put a couple hundred miles on them with little dust residue at all.
Thx to all for the information provided and definitely disconnect the negative terminal from the battery before starting. After hooking the battery back up no cel code or anything. I did install the power stop pads and put a couple hundred miles on them with little dust residue at all.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 353
Likes: 180
From: Michigan
Hey all quick update on my caliper replacement. It took me about two hours to replace all 4 calipers. The bolts holding the calipers on were a little tight but not too bad. I used a dead blow hammer and a 18/21 mm wrench to loosen them. They had some loc tight on them but came out with no problems. On the other hand it took me two hours to bleed the brakes. I used a vacuum bleeder and it worked pretty well. All in all it wasn’t to bad. So now I have a set of front and rear black calipers for sale. The oem brake pads made a mess of them I’ll clean them up and post them on the parts forum page.
Thx to all for the information provided and definitely disconnect the negative terminal from the battery before starting. After hooking the battery back up no cel code or anything. I did install the power stop pads and put a couple hundred miles on them with little dust residue at all.
Thx to all for the information provided and definitely disconnect the negative terminal from the battery before starting. After hooking the battery back up no cel code or anything. I did install the power stop pads and put a couple hundred miles on them with little dust residue at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 199
From: Your Sister's Bedroom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 199
From: Your Sister's Bedroom
I've seen a few posts that vacuum bleeders are not recommended on the C8 due to the design of the system and that pressure bleeders are the suggested method. If it worked it worked though. I have a Motive type pressure bleeders and things went smoothly when I swapped out fluid for track use.
Same, the Motive unit works great.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 181
From: Macomb Michigan
It really don't matter the color, the Z-51 brake pads produce a lot of brake dust.
What a fun track car!!!
Last edited by WHPLASH; Jan 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM.