Leaking C3 calipers

DorianL

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
Hi all,

Question. My buddy's brake calipers are leaking at the bolt holes. He replaced the seals but it still leaks... could it be that the caliper halves are warped ?

Thanks !!!
 
He is certain it's leaking from the small o rings between the caliper halves
 
Id suggest careful dis-assembly and careful detailed inspection ,
then if the problem is not easily resolved,by replacing defective parts,
replace the calipers, its a whole lot less expensive,
than having an accident due too defective brakes!
check local salvage yards and price out replacement calipers they are generally not very expensive
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...897,brake+&+wheel+hub,caliper+repair+kit,1720

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...1496897,brake+&+wheel+hub,caliper+piston,1724

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/brake-calipers/year/1971/make/chevrolet/model/corvette

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=brake caliper&isApplication=true&isInterchange=true&referer=herofitmentForm-newveh


https://www.google.com/webhp?source...ke+calipers&tbm=shop&spd=10404121658339813768





 
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Thanks grumpy. I showed him these videos.

It turns out the mating surfaces between the caliper halves are not perfectly flat. I think he's going to take them to a machine shop to have them machined flat. That doesn't seem like the greatest ideas to me.
 
if the calipers or the threaded surface for the hydraulic limes are just a bit heat warped or corroded, the machine shop should easily correct the surface irregularities, but replacement rotors and calipers are not very expensive so ID sure find out what replacement components cost, vs machine work.
theres always a compromise,between cost, speed, or down time, and ease of making the repair, and many times its faster, easier and it just makes more financial sense to pitch a defective component in a local dumpster after you buy and receive the replacement parts!
obviously if you can,t get replacement parts a good machine shop with a knowledgeable skilled machinist is your best option!

28621.jpg

one side usually (lower) is the hydraulic brake line connection, the other (UPPER) is usually the bleed

https://www.corvettemods.com/C3-Cor...r-Speed-Bleeders--Sold-as-a-Pair_p_13576.html



http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...4P7HijGWdSZo5-4wD8LqWvBgfU-SprIkVEaAoiK8P8HAQ

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...cid+v8,1040982,brake+&+wheel+hub,caliper,1704
 
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obviously if you can,t get replacement parts a good machine shop with a knowledgeable skilled machinist is your best option!
Yeah - ordering calipers from the USA is pricey: add 30-50%.

I told him to bring it to a machine shop but he's being a bit vague about who is doing the job... #worried
 
In-F-credible...

A buddy of his said he had a lathe and could fix his caliper issue. I told him repeatedly to go to a proper machine shop.

Anyone need a pretty paperweight????

Capture.JPG
 
yeah. in any performance car, its always been a case of
"pay ME now, for decent parts , and quality machine work, or pay ME more later,
to replace the junk you bought CHEAPLY, or to repair the damage done previously"
 
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Yes - Sidney (my buddy) is young... I keep trying to tell him to: not skimp. (Particularly on the brakes.)

Very frustrating for me!

It is taking him forever to get this vehicle on the road because he is taking short cuts.

At this rate, he may only his Corvette on the road by the time mine gets shipped over here, likely somewhere this spring.

...and he bought his car last August!!!
 
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He's young and hopefully he'll learn but now he will be buying new calipers and if I remember correctly he will need to pay a core charge now because they are shot and not re build-able. I know they charged me for 1 core because they said the bleeder was stripped
 
Dorian why does it cost so much more over there? Can you save money by getting someone here to get them and send them to you?
 
Yeah, no core charge possible.

He's also keeping the other caliper. I'm not convinced it's a good idea. It was suffering from the same issue but seems that the guy actually did that one right. I suggested he replace both and be done with it.

Yes. Expect to pay +30% for for customs and shipping. If Richard gets round to shipping the corvette this month, we might stuff a replacement caliper in stowaway cargo area of the vette. Very often that dodges additional customs and certainly any additional shipping.

I'm also upset at the doofus who told him he could true this on a lathe
 
When it comes time to work on my new toy, I won't be cutting any corners. I'll save up a few more months as needed and do it right
 
I don't think it would be a good idea to mix a new caliper and an (modified) one I would think it would pull to the better caliper side. If you do talk him into new ones go with the Stainless Steel sleeved ones they are supposed to be much better
 
I'm far from a machinist but I would think that that would need milled I can't see how a lathe would do it
 
I'm far from a machinist but I would think that that would need milled I can't see how a lathe would do it

Absolutely!!!!! Thats what I was thinking. That's why I kept telling him to steer clear. :- /////
 
I don't think it would be a good idea to mix a new caliper and an (modified) one I would think it would pull to the better caliper side. If you do talk him into new ones go with the Stainless Steel sleeved ones they are supposed to be
Thanks. Agreed !
 
Dorian have you spoke to Rich lately he usually kept in touch and I haven't heard from him in a while is he ok I know he was having some health issues just wondering
 
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