Brake Overhaul

[resto75]

Last week my front brakes on the 75 started leaking brake fluid so I pulled them apart and found they were older "Vette Brake n Products" S/S Calipers with the old style lip seals. I Contacted Vette Brakes and they advised to convert them to the O ring style. As they are located nearby I just rode over to their place and picked up the conversion kits for all for calipers. It came to 120 bucks and INCLUDED all 16 new pistons for the o ring seals.

I finished the fronts but havent had time to get to the rears yet. This is the way to go if you already have stainless inserts and your seals are just leaking.
I wanted to change out the brake fluid anyway, so nows my chance.

Roy

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Brakes

My pass. front brake is leaking a little, I believe I had them sleeved in 1998.
However I will need new calipers, too...so I may as well do the entire system at once. VB&P will be my choice when I (the wallet) am ready for it.
Heidi

 

[resto75]

Yeah the pass front is where mine leaked too. You shouldn't need new calipers if yours are sleeved already. Just get the conversion kit like I did. You might need new rotors if they are shot.

VBP has a cutway caliper that has both the lipped seal and the o'ring seal,,,no question of which is better.

Roy

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I see a mistake...

I meant to say I need new ROTORS, not calipers. Sorry! :duh

The rotors don't have enough room on them for turning, so I'll need new ones. I know nothing about brakes. How many times can the calipers be sleeved? Is the caliper a part that doesn't wear out, you just need to upkeep the o-rings and sleeves?
Heidi

 

[smurfvet]

I resealed mine two years ago, and had to re-do the right front again this spring. A couple of questions for you-

1) How did you know who originally re-sleeved them? A stamp or something on the casting, or did you buy them?

2) Do you know if there is an issue with minor wear on the inside of the sleeve? Nothing major, but I saw it when I honed the sleeves last year. Do they want you to use a micrometer to check for wear or see if the sleeves are within a certain tolerance?

It seems to be a great idea, I just don't want to spend $125. and find out the things still leak because of other issues.

 

[resto75]

Vette brake & products calipers have " vb" stamped on the sides of the caliper and also a serial number. Mine were vb stamped so I knew what I had. If yours has been rebuilt or sleeved by someone else there might be a issue using VBP parts. If you measured the inside of the s/s sleeve and then call VBP they could probably tell you. I believe they are the same ones that some of the major corvette suppliers like Ecklers sell.

If you had to redo yours after two years it probably was the lip seal type and not the o ring. Also VBP calipers are warrenteed for life to the original purchaser. Even if you get the lip seal type which they still also sell.

You shouldn't hone the s/s steel sleeves just clean them up with a litttle very light emory soaked in brake fluid and then clean them out good with brake cleaner. After you dry the brake cleaner out of them reassemble the pistons and seals using brake fluid to lube them up. Rebuilding a caliper takes 5 min after you get them cleaned up.

My advice is if they are s/s sleeved and you don't know by who, have someone check them with a micrometer and then give VBP a call at 1 800 237 9991

Roy

 

[resto75]

Heidi

The s/s won't wear out so it can be reused. Now the rotors are a different story. If they can't be turned again due to being turned before, you have to replace them. I would call around to every parts supplier in town as I have gotten a broad price range on rotors from different suppliers before.

If you decide to just do the fronts first thats OK but you have to redo both sides at once. Ya just can't do the side that leaks especially if your changing from lip to o ring style.

Roy