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Topic: Brake Caliper Suggestions

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/18/19 8:17pm Message 1 of 22
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Rutherfordton, NC - USA
Joined: 5/21/2019
Posts: 34
Vette(s): 1972 Ontario Orange Convertible, 454, 4 Speed with Air

Looking to replace my 72 original four calipers due to leakage. Any suggestions as to which ones I should buy? Looking for good quality calipers and good deals. Thanking you in advance!




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Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/18/19 8:53pm Message 2 of 22
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

Vette Brakes and Products sells st-st lined calipers.  Probably other vendors also.  I suspect there's only one or two actual manufacturers.




1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/19/19 7:45pm Message 3 of 22
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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 can also get the SS sleeved calipers from local auto parts places. I have two on my '74 that came from Autozone...one I installed 20+ years ago.




Joel Adams
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Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/20/19 8:33am Message 4 of 22
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

From experience, Anything remanufactured from ANY auto parts store is Junk! I have a 72' as well, and had Multiple problems with remans. I went with Lone Star out of Texas. They have quality products, and NO problems after replacement of SS inserts. 




Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/20/19 9:45am Message 5 of 22
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Joined: 1/27/2003
Posts: 62
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray and 2004 Six-speed Convertible

If I'm not mistaken, Vette Brakes closed up shop earlier this year. If you are a DIYer at all, they are not that hard to rebuild. There are several videos on YouTube depicting caliper rebuilds (the Ecklers Garage is a good depiction but I emailed them and they no longer rebuild your calipers but do have units available for purchase). You have to make sure the interior surfaces of the caliper are not rusty and pitted but if they're in good shape you can get a rebuild kit and refurbish them yourself. I do agree with ManchesterShark regarding stainless steel sleeves if you do it yourself or have it done. Then you get the added bonus of keeping the originals on your Vette. Good luck!




Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 12/27/19 3:22pm Message 6 of 22
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 2/7/2019
Posts: 1
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Survivor; L82, M21 close ratio 4spd, AC, Leather, gymkhana suspension.

Lone Star Caliper out of Texas has a good product and you can specify the correct date code for your car.




Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 1/10/20 10:09am Message 7 of 22
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Howell, MI - USA
Joined: 2/23/2019
Posts: 1
Vette(s): 1981 Numbers matching, Red w/Silver Leather Interior, Original, 49000 miles. Multiple Trophy winner.

I had the same problem for years. Changed 4 sets of calipers in just 6 years. Last fall I installed a set of Wilwood by Duntov Motors calipers out of Texas. I replaced EVERYTHING!!! Master cylinder, lines, calipers and pads. I am a very happy Corvette owner now.




Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 11/22/21 4:09pm Message 8 of 22
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Bear, DE - USA
Joined: 11/19/2021
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 1976 Corvette (current), 1959 Corvette (sold 2011), 1981 Corvette (sold 1993)

I am now in need of the same.  At least 2 of the calipers (front) are leaking on my '76.

I am not eager to rebuild them myself, as I do no have any equipment to hone them if they are having issues.  I want to order a set and just throw them on the car.

I read in an earlier post that AutoZone might have them.  Anyone have part #'s?   I see NAPA has them, but the descriptions online are vague.  I also considered ones from Summit Racing, but the reviews are very mixed, and I do not want to replace a leaking caliper with another leaking caliper!

Anyone shop at Pep Boys anymore?

 

Thanks in advance!



|UPDATED|11/22/2021 4:09:25 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 11/22/21 5:11pm Message 9 of 22
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1522
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.

You can call Lone Star Caliper and ask them if they supply anyone near you or on ebay.  They told me Corvette World here sold them and it was reasonable.

Lone Star kinda gets you for shipping (although I haven't checked them recently).

I see kits on ebay that say remanufactured in USA for around $400.



|UPDATED|11/22/2021 5:11:08 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



   

Re: Brake Caliper Suggestions

Posted: 11/22/21 7:24pm Message 10 of 22
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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

I have two calipers on my '74 from Autozone. They do typically have them in stock. Not the best solution, but they do work, and are reasonably priced. In some cases, they are stainless steel sleeved, depending on who their vendor is at the time.

Driver side front part # C138

Passenger side front part # C139

 



|UPDATED|11/22/2021 7:24:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



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"

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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