Topic: Special Brakes???
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Former Member
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Chicago, IL - USA
Joined: 11/30/2007
Posts: 37
Vette(s): 1976 L48 T-top, Automatic, ps,pb,a/c, Everything stock. Good car in great shape.
Hi All,
I have yet another dumb question...does the Vette have special brakes or can I take it anywhere to have it looked at...local brake places? I don't have the skill set to work on it myself and want to make sure it is ready for the spring...
1976VetteGuy 2008-03-11 07:30:55
I have yet another dumb question...does the Vette have special brakes or can I take it anywhere to have it looked at...local brake places? I don't have the skill set to work on it myself and want to make sure it is ready for the spring...
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Former Member
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Corvette brakes work like any others. You should be able to find pads locally. If you need calipers, be sure they use American made, stainless steel lined calipers. rebuilt ones are as good as new ones if done by a quality rebuilder. Because Corvettes don't usually get driven as much as your family car, you should bleed the brakes every couple of years to remove contaminants. If you do, your calipers should last indefinitely. Make sure they know there are two bleeders on each caliper.
Larry
Larry
Hey Monte,
There are lots of choices out there for your brakes. Here's a few to consider;
www.muskegonbrake.com (I bought mine there.)
Larry is absolutely right about bleeding your brakes! Get it done more frequently than on whatever car you use daily.
Good luck with it!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
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
The only real issue(well...two issues) with Corvette(Shark) brakes is getting the rotors perfectly machined to run true on the car, with NO run-out.
Bleeding them is also a bit tricky, but a competent brake shop, or general repair shop should be able to handle it with no problem.
Bleeding them is also a bit tricky, but a competent brake shop, or general repair shop should be able to handle it with no problem.
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"
No such thing as a dumb question...!!!
The fronts are just like any other disk brake setup so, like Joel said, those should be no problem for any good shop. The rears are alittle bit different with the drum style parking brake setup inside the rotors. Make sure to get a good stainless steel kit for those replacement parts.
The only other thing that is a bit different from most daily drivers is the Vette's calipers - 4 pistons at each wheel.
I had the brakes overhauled on "The Toy" right after I bought it and the shop quoted me a price for the job. When I came back later to pick up the car they informed me they had quoted me their price for a normal caliper job, not a 4 piston caliper job. He admitted upfront that it was their mistake so we split the additional cost - they ate the extra labor and I paid for the extra cost for the parts. Seemed fair to me. (btw - I have been back there for other work since then.)
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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