Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Advise on Brakes

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 5:31pm Message 1 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Fox Island, WA - USA
Joined: 6/20/2005
Posts: 4068
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48

Okay I've got a really bad pull to left when applying the brakes and I believe I have a bad caliper on that side in the front. 

I was thinking I'd like to redo all the calipers and maybe go with drilled/slotted rotors or something.  Like I've said before I'm no mechanical genious so I'm looking for advise on what you all think I should do.

I'm not looking to spend a bazillion dollars on the brakes, just new calipers and maybe upgraded rotors.  Anyone know of any good deals anywhere?  Thanks for the help. 




MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 5:51pm Message 2 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
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
You could have a bad caliper on the other side. If the right side is not working, then the only braking force you would have is on the left. I know this doesn't really answer your question, but....


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"

Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 6:27pm Message 3 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
East Hanover, NJ - USA
Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525
Vette(s): '68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C

Mark,

I sent my front calipers (leaking) to Lone Star Caliper.  The price & service were great for correct units that were stainless steel sleeved.  Unfortunately, the car is still on jack stands and I can't tell you how they work.

Good luck,

Anthony




Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 6:33pm Message 4 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Fox Island, WA - USA
Joined: 6/20/2005
Posts: 4068
Vette(s): 1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]You could have a bad caliper on the other side. If the right side is not working, then the only braking force you would have is on the left. I know this doesn't really answer your question, but....[/QUOTE]

Huh, ya know Joel that makes more sense   I guess its bad on the pass. side, the reason for it pulling left

Thanks Anthony, how long did it take to get the calipers back?  I'll look them up online

cilrah38845.7734375


MARK
LIFETIME MEMBER #117

Click here to see my new friend P-Racer
"Keep up the Pace"

Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 7:08pm Message 5 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
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
Lone Star stuff is top notch. About 95% of the 'Vette owners around here use them. It's really nice that they are right here locally, too!
They use the stainless sleeves, and o-rings on the pistons, instead of the normal "lip" seals. No mo leaks!! And, the o-ring set-up isn't as prone to pumping air into the calipers if the rotors are a wee bit off.


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"

Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/8/06 7:57pm Message 6 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7313
Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
SOLD - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
"BLUBYU" - '04 Coupe

A couple of years ago I bought a caliper rebuild kit (o-rings and pistons) and overhauled all four of them myself.   Having never done that before I didn't think it was too  hard - just followed the steps in the repair manuals and took my time.  No leaks and they've been rock solid ever since.  And I'm no mechanical genious either. 

One other thing to look at is the flexible lines from the frame to the calipers.  If they're rubber they can fail internally and not release the pressure on the rotor.  That's what cooked the right front rotor on "The Toy", forced the replace of all four (because all were below spec for turning again - THANKS P.O.!!!  ) and the rebuild of the calipers.  The flexible lines were the least cost items of the whole job.




Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Advise on Brakes

Posted: 5/9/06 7:27am Message 7 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
East Hanover, NJ - USA
Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525
Vette(s): '68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C

Mark,

If I recall, it was about 2-3 weeks & it was $75 each.  I did it in the winter & I told them it was no rush, but they may be able to do it faster.

For the price, I reccomend sending out both front calipers.

If time is an issue, there are repro castings out ther that you can get in a couple of days without a core.

Anthony




in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)