Well, my project this weekend was to install new brake pads on the front of my 66' and, things didn't go so well. I took the caliper off the rotor so I could resurface the back side of it with the 3M resurfacing disc and this went okay. However, looking at the rotor (passenger side front) I noticed that one of the pistons was a little wet with a small residue of brake fluid around it so I didn't reinstall it. I really didn't want to have to but, should the rotor be replaced and if so, which vendor should I contact for a new caliper? Thanks
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Re: C2 Brake Caliper Question
John,
In my mind, the decision to replace or rebuild depends on whether or not the caliper/calipers are the original ones to your car. If they are the originals and all the casting numbers are correct, I would definitely keep them and have them rebuilt.
When I had my original '65 calipers sleeved and rebuilt, I had the work performed by Lone Star in Texas. They are the only ones that I could find that would sleeve "first series" calipers (which I believe were used on '66 cars). They will rebuild and send your original calipers back to you. It costs more than ordering calipers from a catalog, but it was worth the money to me.
Good luck with your '66.
Regards,
Gene -
Re: C2 Brake Caliper Question
Gene, These are not the original calipers. I need to know if there is a wet area around one of the pistons is it standard procedure to replace the caliper with a new unit or not worry about it.Comment
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Re: C2 Brake Caliper Question
John, The piston with the slight wetness is "on it's way out". BUT, I have the same situation on the right rear. I'm going to just live with it unless it gets bad enough to get to the floor. I discovered it when installing new tires last year, just a little dampness around the top part of the pad.So far, it hasn't even leaked enough to lower the fluid level in the MC or affect the braking performance.What you do is up to you, of course. Perhaps resealing the offending piston or changing it out for a sleeved caliper since you've got the existing caliper off is the best idea.Comment
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Re: C2 Brake Caliper Question
John - it certainly should be fixed....since you say these are not the originals, then see if the units are sleeved already. If so, a rebuild with new pistons and seals in all 4 pistons in that caliper is in order. If it has not been sleeved yet, don't even bother to rebuild....just get a sleeved caliper from a supplier.....CraigComment
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Re: C2 Brake Caliper Question
John-----
You certainly don't need to replace the rotor because the caliper is leaking. However, you may have meant to say "caliper" and not "rotor".
In any event, as others have responded, you should repair or replace the caliper. The chances are that, if it's not the original caliper (all 1966 original caliper halves begin with the casting number "546"), then it's likely alreay been sleeved. In that case, all you really need to do is to rebuild the caliper using new pistons, seals, and boots. This is not very difficult. However, if you would rather not do it yourself and the caliper is known to be non-original anyway, then simply exchange the caliper for another rebuilt unit.
I prefer Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation of Clarence, NY, Vette Brakes of Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL, or Carter's Corvette of Livermore, CA (the latter is my favorite). However, any of the major rebuilders are ok. You don't want one of the "no-name" or "el cheapo" "economy" rebuilds. Many of these use DECORATIVE stainless steel for the sleeves and not the high quality 304 or 316L used by the quality rebuilders.
Keep in mind that if your calipers have been previously sleeved, the rebuilder might not accept them as a core. So, that may mean another $50 per caliper.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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