Topic: Rebuilding Calipers ?
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
The wife keeps bugging me to share this sooo...Had a bad experience last week. 30 mi. from home in the '81, came to a stop sign and the brake pedal went to the floor. I was out in the country and had just passed a town so I went back to an auto parts store and checked the brake fluid, front resevior empty. Bought some fluid, filled it and got my pedal back, figuring I had a small leak even though I had rebuilt the whole system including calipers 5000 mi. ago. Continued towards the city, stopping twice at signs before I got on the freeway and drove 10 mi. to my final destination. Took my exit heading into heavy traffic and went pedal to the floor again. Now I don't much care for that kind of adrenaline but remembered my p-brake (the rear brakes should have been working fine but I swear they are USELESS. sure wish you could adjust the porportioning valve) and managed to ease into traffic, flow through 2 signal lights and finally came to my protected left turn and ease her to a stop with a few cars ahead of me. When the light came green I got the car moving again and as I came to the intersection the lady in front of me couldn't execute a U-turn in one smooth motion, she had to stop. I had no place to go so I swerved to the right but the driver already occupying that space was quick to express his displeasure with me. Nobody hit anybody else, I don't know why, but thank the Lord I got to my Dad's without losing the vette but no tools around. Got her home via a AAA flatbed (sweet) and dug right in. The caliper halves had separated on the right front caliper. I never would have dreamed. Well no wonder those 2 bolts were so hard to remove when I rebuilt. Torqued to 130 ft. lbs. and heavy on the lock tight. Boy did I feel like a dummy. I didn't use thread locker the 1st time, so I re-did every thing and even added new lock washers and used my impack gun to reassemble. Now addmitting this is very embarassing but it's worth it if I can prevent just one other guy from making the same mistake........... ok, you can stop laughing now 
.
.Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
Click to see larger views!
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
At least you got it fixed! Face it, we all do bonehead stuff! You were just lucky to not cause any further damage!
Barry
2011111017209r.jpg)
WOW Jimmy, I'm sure glad that you and Mellisa had someone watching over you.
Good job on your part to keep things safe.
"STUFF HAPPENS"
Good job on your part to keep things safe. "STUFF HAPPENS" 
corvette440hp
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Not laughing here! Glad ya'll were not hurt, or worse.
I've never used locktite on the caliper half bolts, but I DO always use an impact to tighten them....if you do not have access to an impact, you can bolt the calipers to the supports, and then use a long breaker bar to tighten the bolts.
Good info to pass along, too, for those planning on doing calipers. Those bolts are tight for a reason!
I've never used locktite on the caliper half bolts, but I DO always use an impact to tighten them....if you do not have access to an impact, you can bolt the calipers to the supports, and then use a long breaker bar to tighten the bolts.
Good info to pass along, too, for those planning on doing calipers. Those bolts are tight for a reason!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
SO glad to hear you were able to avoid any injury and damage to vehicles. Blest to have good reactions by yourself and the drivers around you. I've had too many issues with brakes on "The Toy" so maintaining a solid pedal is a priority.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate your feedback.
Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
Click to see larger views!
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)