Converting to sleeved disc brakes

[igasper10]

How big of a job is it going to be to convert my 74's standard-type calipers to sleeved ones? There's a lot of stuff out there about sleeved calipers & o-ring calipers. Enough to be completely confusing! Is there a difference between the two? If so, which one is better? Once again, I'm counting on the knowledge of CAC members to help me out! Thanx in advance...

By the way, I have the standard-type replacement calipers on all 4 wheels with new lines. Can't seem to get the brake light to go off, and the pedal still goes almost to the floor after pressure bleeding.

ian

 

[resto75]

Changing calipers is a easy job. Jacking up the car and taking off the tire is the hard part. There is very little work involved in removing the calipers. You need to buy the stainless steel lined calipers and I would go with the O'ring style over the OEM lip style. They will be the longer lasting of the two. Check out Vette Brake Products website as they can supply what you need as well as most of the Corvette part suppliers.

 

[igasper10]

What's the difference between the lip style & o-ring style?

 

[ChuckG]

If you have "replacement calipers" on your car now, are you sure they're not SS sleeved already? The sleeving process simply restores the caliper bores.

From that point, you can put the original "lip" style seals with the original pistons back in, OR you can convert to the O ring type which require a special O ring piston.

Most of the time, if you can't get good pedal after bleeding, you're pumping air into the system through rotor runout.

The original style pistons "ride" on the rotor. If it's out of round, etc., the constant motion pumps or sucks air back through the lip seal, introducing air.

The O ring pistons are different. The O ring holds the piston away from the rotor, so even if your rotors are wobbly, it won't pump air back into the system.

The real cure to the problem is to check rotor runout on all 4 wheels. Should be .003 or less to prevent air pumping. Chuck

 

[JR-80]

You're saying even after you bleed them your pedal still goes to the floor? How old is your master cylinder? If it's the original I'd replace it.

 

[igasper10]

Its a new M/C. It looks like somebody started on the brakes before selling, but gave up. (new lines, calipers, m/c)

ian

 

[resto75]

How old is the brake fluid. If you want to start out right pump out all the old stuff and get the lines full of the new stuff. You might also check into bleeding the master cyl. because it may be air locked.