O-ring Caliper Seals

[John Malina]

I've not been able to find anything on the Tech Board specific to other's experiences with O-ring calipers sold by Vette Brakes. They say they sell more o-ring calipers than with the original seal design. My '69 has sleeved calipers from Muskegon Brake with original seal design, and I've replaced the calipers under warranty 3 times since '93 due to leaks. All rotors .004-.006in runout. Car sits Nov1 - April 1. Clean DOT4 fluid. Would appreciate hearing of any experiences out there.

[Donald O.]

Re: O-ring Caliper Seals

I've had them on my 67 since '84 and she sits from Nov. to April also. Absolutely no problems. Just my 2 cents. Don

[Jerry Clark]

Great Results For My 69

My 69 brake problem is all but legendary, constant air in the system despite rebuilds, new master, rubber hoses and rotor replacement. When I finally exhausted all avenues open to me, I rebuilt all four corners with the zero tolerance kits...NO MORE AIR and the best brakes I have had since restoration.

good product in my opinion.

jer

[Chuck G.]

Re: Great Results For My 69

Put O ring kits in the rears last year because that is where most of my problems were. Just got finished doing the fronts with the O ring kits. My rears have been great...no air for a year....2000 miles on the NCRS road tour. My fronts without the O rings needed a "bleed job" in Kentucky prior to making it to Bowling Green. Chuck

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: O-ring Caliper Seals

John: I agree wholeheartedly with Cuck and Jerry. I had the same air pumping problem with my 69 to the point that I had no rear brakes at all. I rebuilt the rears with an o-ring rebuild kit from Vette Brakes in Sept 98 and have not had one bit of trouble since. BTW The rebuild was very easy.

[Jim T.]

Re: O-ring Caliper Seals

I have never had a problem with air in the brakes in my 68 and its been on the road all these years. However with my 70 after warranty work was done on the rear wheel bearings by a Chevy dealer and they removed the rivets that held the discs to the spindle, problems with air in the calipers was continuous. It did't go away until I had the rear spindles and discs rivetted by Bairs. The best money I ever spent to make a problem go away. I only wish that I had the information earlier and knew about the excellent service available from Bairs in 1973-75.

[David LaRussa]

Zero Tolerance vs. Vette Brakes Kit

Whats the difference between these two...in terms of design,quality,price?

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Zero Tolerance vs. Vette Brakes Kit

HI David:

If your question revolves around the difference between "Zero Tolerence" and "O Ring" piston kits, they are one in the same. Vette Brakes has dubbed them Zero Tolerence. they sell for approximately $25.00 a corner.

jer

[David LaRussa]

Re: Zero Tolerance vs. Vette Brakes Kit

Jerry, There was a company on the west coast at one time. I think they went by ZTI (Zero Tolerance, Inc). I was wondering if someone knew the difference between their product and Vette Brake's. Thanks for your response.

[Joe L.]

Re: Zero Tolerance vs. Vette Brakes Kit

Jerry-----

Vette Brakes may have purchased the design or licensed the manufacture of these pistons. Originally, these pistons were developed and/or manufactured by a firm called "Zero Tolerance, Incorporated" of Fortuna, CA. I believe that one of or the only principal of this firm was a fellow by the name of Willard Kendig. Later, the firm or some "off-shoot" of it moved to Visalia or Turlock, CA.

The original Zero Tolerance pistons were clear anodized (bare aluminum appearance) and had a flat surface on the face of the piston.

The Vette Brakes pistons are "gold" anodized and appear to have a "V-shaped" indention on the face of the piston. There are also some slight machining differences between the original Zero Tolerance and current Vette Brakes O-ring type pistons. I don't think that any of these differences represent any significant functional difference, though.

[Jerry Clark]

I Have To Say

How the Hell do you remember all this stuff

jer

[Joe L.]

Re: I Have To Say

Jerry-----

You know, now that you mention it, a LOT of people have asked me that same, exact question and pertaining to a LOT of subjects besides Corvettes. I don't have an answer, though. I may have had one once, but I forgot it.