jb78L-82

I constantly read and comment on folks with replacement SS calipers on C3's and wonder, "Am I the only person with SS replacement calipers with no issues with leaks?"

A little history:

My OEM GM Delco calipers developed a leak in the summer of 1985 after I replaced the brake pads on all 4 calipers (on one caliper), probably from disturbing the OEM lip seal in one of the rear calipers during the brake pad change and from rust developing in the cast iron piston bore. I decided to replace all 4 calipers with VBP SS calipers ($59 each with core exchange back then) since VBP offered a "lifetime" warranty which as it turned out only warranties the SS bores from rusting, not the lip seals.

In 1989, one of the rear calipers developed a leak and I contacted VBP who informed me that the warranty only covers the SS bores but they did send me free of charge, 4 new lip seals that I changed/installed myself on the leaking caliper (very easy to change BTW). I bled the brakes with new fluid at all 4 wheels at that time and have had zero issues ever since that one leak.

I do have the same original lip seals on the other 3 calipers since then and have bleed the brake fluid 3-4 times since the 1989-90 change. The car sits 99.99% of the time in the garage under a car cover. I do have the OEM 4 GM rotors still on the car. OEM Master cylinder, OEM power brake booster, OEM trailing arms, etc. In the early 90's, I replaced all 4 rubber brake hoses with SS flex lines.

I have had zero issues since 1989-90 when I had the 1 caliper develop a leak, the other 3 calipers have been leak free since 1985. Seems odd considering all the issues some folks seem to have with replacement SS calipers (and I have OEM GM lip seals, not O-Ring seals)

The only other comment is that VBP SS calipers claim to use a higher micron finish on their SS calipers.

Am I the only one out there with trouble free SS calipers? Love to hear feedback. Thanks

revitup

Replaced the original calipers with SS lined in July, 1993. No issues.

jb78L-82

Good to hear!...Thanks. Lip seals I presume, not O-ring calipers? I ask since I strongly suspect based on my experience that O-ring seals are NOT necessary for a properly setup system, particularly the runout on the rear rotors.

I am wondering if anyone has me beat prior to 1985 as well?

resdoggie

Hell no!!! I replaced mine with the ss sleeves in 1990. I've flushed/replaced the brake system fluid 3 times since then with DOT 4. I've had a couple lip seals leak since 1990. The last leak was about 2-3 years ago. I just take the leaky caliper apart, clean up the bores, pistons and (1990) lip seals, put together again and bleed brakes the old school way with my helper pumping the brake pedal. I've always bled the brakes this way and have yet to have a problem. All fours lock up if needed. If people are having problems with bleeding brakes, then they aren't doing it right or there is a faulty component that needs repair/replacement.

jb78L-82

Nice! Good to hear again! Always wondering why folks have so many issues with the C3 brakes? Agree BTW as I always say as well that if one is having all these problems with the C3 brakes, something si wrong with the system o the car.

The Money Pit

I redid the brakes 20 years ago with VB&P stainless calipers. No leaks,....but last year I had them rebuilt because I wanted a fresher look. Had them powder coated and redone.
So in reality,......stainless seems to hold up well.

cagotzmann

Originals first repair was 1996. So OEM lasted 78-96 18 years

Replaced with SS in 1996,

those lasted until 2010 1996-2010 14 years. ( I should have rebuild those instead of replacing)


All my recent calipers were purchased after 2010. New o-ring (lonestar brand) not all calipers leaked but at least 1 every 1 or 2 years. Even the warranty replacement leaked after 1 year. Now running wildwood D8-4 since spring 2015.

Now here may be the difference. None of the 2010 + new brands seem to take the heat during track days. I think the problem is the seal material breaks down when you actually heat the brakes.

SS Sleeve calipers prevent the OEM problems of car storage and limited use. But if you drive your car in situations where you need brakes they don't seem to hold up very well. When they did not leak they work very well provided you use a good brake pad.

Here is my pile of duds.

7t9l82

Mine has the VBP calipers but 4 years ago I put the oring seals in them after one of the lip seals sprung a leak. I believe they were close to 20 yrs old.

revitup

Yes, lip seals. I've ended up changing the fluid every 2 - 4 years, usually when I've broken into the system anyway for one reason or another. I still have the original rotors, never removed.

jb78L-82

Guys great stuff! Thank You!

cagotzmann, I agree for the street, the SS calipers with lip seals should be fine providing everything is in good correct working order...track days like you do is a totally different story

ddawson

Three years on Autozone rebuild delco marine calipers. They are stock lip seal calipers.

59t-tom

I replaced the front calipers on the '81 with sleeved ones from AC Delco in 2003. No problems with those since but the original left rear just started leaking. I'll use AC Delco on the rear too. Lip seals on the old ones still look like new. Corrosion on the piston going under the seal made a path for fluid to leak out. The bores where the seals ran were in good shape with no pitting but rust was starting further back.

Tom

mortgageguy

Two of of the originals were replaced in the mid 80's, still on the car. One originals was replaced two years ago. As amazing as it may sound, the right front is the original 72 caliper. I inspect my calipers four or five times a year for leaks. That original is dry as a bone. I'm probably running the oldest brake caliper in the world.

mrvette

Bought my '72 in '95 it was an old show car, so sat most of the time, only had ~130k showing, the brakes were SS, but dunno who did the linings, none of the failures are the fault of the metal, all in that stupid lip seals, and rotors, and multiple oddball failures over the years....even had a hose lock up the L/F rotor/pads/etc, had to drive home some 50 miles with it smoking.....I was SO happy....

knock on wood, the O rings have been fine in the back for many years now, but the fronts are another story.....right now they fine....

bazza77

had my 77 about 15 years now , new lip seals in the front not long after I got it , as I had one piston weep a touch ,probably from sitting around ! your supposed to overhaul brakes as a set right ? flushed the whole car system then as well , no problems since .


touch wood now

Gale Banks 80'

35 Years. VB&P. Dot 5. Still have the original seals. Nothing to do. Switched to C6 Z06 brakes to give me something to work on last year.

'75

Mine are rebuilts from Napa, in 06, no issues, I presume they are ss sleeved and lip seals.

427Hotrod

I bought one of those $300 kits from Muskegon Brake and ran them for 18 years or so with no issues. Had 4 calipers, pads, steel and rubber lines, a C3 master cylinder and 2 bottles of Dot5 fluid.

I installed some Wilwoods a few years ago on my car as part of a magazine project and gave the old ones to a buddy to use on his car. They were still bone dry and worked perfectly.

JIM

Barry's70LT1

25+ years, so long ago I forget. Stainless Steel Brake Corp calipers and silicon fluid. Still same fluid. Never had an issue.

Clams Canino

Totally agreed. Did them years ago - no issues.
Also silicone fluid.
-W