Help with Brake rebuild

[coptertom]

Pre-Help question with Brake rebuild:

I have an 81 that I am getting ready to dust off after three yrs of sitting and attempt to rebuild the Brakes. I plan on replacing the calipers, rotors, brake lines and master cylinder.......I shouldn't have a problem with anything but the rotors, (which I've never worked on ). The Haynes manual that I have really does not give in good detail, how to replace them. Before I get started, does anybody have some advise on the proceedure or possibly instructions on how to remove them and of course install the new ones. Any help would be great...Before I get myself in a real mess!

 

[Tritium007]

I got some good information in this recent thread. Good Luck!

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75493

Mike

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Do NOT replace the rotors unless they absolutely need it- they are not a routine throw away item like modern cars!

 

[JohnZ]

Why folks who want to work on their own cars use generic Haynes and Chilton manuals baffles me; get the GM Shop Manual that takes you through the whole procedure step-by-step, with lots of photos and illustrations.

 

[coptertom]

Since I plan on getting my 81 up and running...........it makes sense to purchase a GM Shop Manual. Besides, pictures as they say are worth a thousand words! Thanks....

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-the GM Corvette/Shop-manual...

----S T I N K S; -JohnZ must have a special printing that never made it to the public, --i find the aftermarket-manuals are much more informative, albeit still lacking... ~Bob vH

 

[GaryS]

----S T I N K S; -JohnZ must have a special printing that never made it to the public, --i find the aftermarket-manuals are much more informative, albeit still lacking... ~Bob vH

I guess I am in John's corner here. The aftermarket manual are only good for really generic stuff. For example, find out how to test the TCS system or find its basic components in Haynes/Chilton. Try to figure out how to do a thousand things and then you go back to the manual that GM used. The only down side to GM manuals is that they reference tool "J2345" and you wonder what the heck that is. I don't understand your comments here? I doubt that ANY aftermarket manual for any car is better than the one from the manufacturer.

Gary

 

[bill81vette]

i agree with gary and johnz....the chiltons and the haynes manuals are good forthe basics but once I got my service manual,I don't even look at the haynes book anymore!!!!!



BILL....

 

[coptertom]

I just purchased a GM Shop Manual last week and waiting to get it in the mail. I figure that it certainly can't hurt to have it........Now however, since I live down here in Sunny South Florida (where of course we seem to get a piece of every Hurricane), Ms. Wilma decided to blow her way into town and delay my brake project a bit. O'h well.........at least now I will have a couple of days to read up!

 

[Evolution1980]

It's been a while since I replaced all my rotors. I didn't actually do any of the wrenching. But I seem to recall looking over my mechanic's shoulder. Doing the back seemed to pose a problem because of the failed/seized e-brake. ...or maybe that was just a problem during caliper replacement... hmm...now I don't recall. :confused How's this for a worthless post? :L :L
You're going about it the right way though.. Read twice, Wrench once.

 

[The73vetteman]

Back to the brake question .......

I've changed all the calipers and the front rotors on my '73. I remember two kinda difficult parts:

1. the front rotors are rivetted to the hub so you have to drill out the rivets to separate the two items. That's a bit of a b**** unless you have a really sturdy drill press.

2. everyone tells me it's critical to minimize the runout when you reassemble the rotors and hubs. I used a coke can for shim material and got the runout down to under 0.003". It's been eighteen months and no problems yet!

One additional thing I did was to replace the front bearings. I figured with the hubs off it made sense. Of course this kind of thinking can lead to a bad case of 'while-I'm-at-it-itis' and you end up doing a frame off .......

By the way, I suggest you get the 'O' ring seal ss sleeved calipers from VB&P.

John

 

[Mr. Chuck]

My 81 shop manual had since I purchased car new, has full service & rebuild details on entire brake system, especially the rotors checks, specs and how to address any out spec issues. I agree, if at all possible, rework rotors. SM also details other wheel components that you need to check that impact the car's brake system performance.