Fresh C3 brake problems

[naz235]

So I've gone and made myself some new problems

I found my front calipers to be leaking, and suspecting the obvious, opted to remove and inspect the inside of the caliper piston bores. Sure enough, there was a decent amount of fluid dripping from the piston seals. The calipers had been sleeved and were in fairly good shape, so I opted to rebuild them. Removal and disassembly went well, and 3 of the 4 pistons went in smoothly. #4 was a problem child and ended up getting stuck in a bore because I cocked it in sideways a bit and then actually broke the damn thing trying to wiggle it back out. $2 part and $8 in shipping later, i put it all together and go to bleed it.


A few brake pumps later and I hear a nasty pop, and an even more disturbing dripping sound. I brake cleaned the caliper down and found it seemed to be dripping from the seam in the caliper housing. Is it possible that the fresh new o-ring blew, or is it more likely that I blew one of the fresh new lip seals?

 

[Antz81]

So I've gone and made myself some new problems

I found my front calipers to be leaking, and suspecting the obvious, opted to remove and inspect the inside of the caliper piston bores. Sure enough, there was a decent amount of fluid dripping from the piston seals. The calipers had been sleeved and were in fairly good shape, so I opted to rebuild them. Removal and disassembly went well, and 3 of the 4 pistons went in smoothly. #4 was a problem child and ended up getting stuck in a bore because I cocked it in sideways a bit and then actually broke the damn thing trying to wiggle it back out. $2 part and $8 in shipping later, i put it all together and go to bleed it.


A few brake pumps later and I hear a nasty pop, and an even more disturbing dripping sound. I brake cleaned the caliper down and found it seemed to be dripping from the seam in the caliper housing. Is it possible that the fresh new o-ring blew, or is it more likely that I blew one of the fresh new lip seals?

I would guess its one of the lip seals. The o-rings are fairly reliable. Although in saying that I've also had leaks past the sleave as well, but these tend to be a very small leak

 

[bill81vette]

the lip seals are notorious for leaking..When I did my '81 i did a little
research on the brakes and found this out.I was going to rebuild mine with o-ring but opted to
purchase remans,as there has been rust in a couple of them.never had a problem wit them in 10 years!

 

[Hib Halverson]

If the leak is coming from the part line between the caliper halves and the caliper bolts were tightened properly, my guess is you blew out one of those little o-rings.

 

[naz235]

I found the problem, and it was just as I suspected. Air had blown out one of the lip seals and split it cleanly, the caliper housing o-rings were intact.

Luckily, RockAuto had sent me a defective kit so I ended up with a few spare lip seals after I received the other wheel's kit.

So thats one of the 50 leaks taken care of