Help! Calipers Driving Me NUTS

Could you C3 owners please check your front calipers and tell me if "weeping" is a normal condition? I've just installed a second set of new stainless calipers, and they weep, (just one little drop), like the last set of brand new calipers that I replaced because they too were weeping one small drop every day. If this condition is normal I'll live with it. IT"S DRIVING ME NUTS, (to say nothing of making me broke!)

[silver 80]

weeping? NO mine don't leak.
where are you getting your calipers?
I would suggest VB&P for calipers.
tom

Well, this latest set I bought from E-bay, and on the box it said "Lonestar Caliper". The previous set came from a local auto parts shop. Don't know who did the rebuild. Both sets are the Delco Morraine, w/ SS sleeves.

Both sets seem to be leaking from the bottom where the inboard and outboard halves join.

[Greekman]

Fast Eddy, I had my front calibers replaced with Delco-Morraine rebulits by a Chevrolet dealership and they don't leak, not even a drop. I have had to stand on the brakes several times since and they are fine.

I don't think "weeping" is normal.

Sorry guy.


.

[ChuckG]

Shouldn't leak or "weep" ONE drop. Are you sure they're not leaking from the brake hose connection? Maybe something is simply dripping down to the bottom of the caliper. I've bought stuff from Lone Star and not had a problem. Chuck

I don't understamd what's up with these calipers. They don't seem to be leaking from the brake line. I'm using new braided SS lines. Both times I've used new copper gaskets and really reefed on the wrench.

Could it have anything to do with the fact that the car's not being driven?? Does heat genrated from the braking action somehow seal the rubber O-rings?

Here's something interesting, on the installation card there was a note that stated,
"On cars that are not drivenfor long periods it is uggested that you depress the brake pedal weekly to keep calipers from weeping"

Never heard of that before.

Ed

[c4ever]

I just replaced my fronts on the 82, no leaks. Boy this is the second go around with the fronts for ya. I know I wanted to go the VB&P route when I did mine. Maybe you can get your money back and buy the VB&P calipers( I don't think there is a core charge?) and put an end to it once and for all. Everything I've ever heard about these calipers is good.

Good Luck with it.

Carlo

They shouldn't leak at all but did you use the O' ring type pistons or the original lip seal pistons.

The o'ring pistons are far better then the lip seal but as I understand your post the leak is from the seam between the caliper halfs. This is strange if you used new o'rings there. Is it possible that the pistons are leaking and its just running down to the caliper bottom.

Vette Brake products sell a piston upgrade kit. It is new pistons and the O'ring type seals for all four calipers for about 130.00. This will include new o'rings for the caliper halves also. You need s/s calipers but you already have them.

I would give them a call at 1 800 237 9991. They can help you figure it out. There website is VBandP.com but a phone call would probably get better answers.

Roy

[Brettmc]

new or quality rebuilt calipers should not weep. my guess is your not getting either. changes source of calipers. i bought some rear calipers from advance auto months back and drive my car bout 30-60 miles/week with no leaks or weeping. also, do a search for that company name on corvetteforum.com.

Thanks for the reply guys. My pistons aren't leaking. this I know for sure because the first set of calipers, I split apart after I removed them and noted that the pistons seals were tight and dry.

I think, if anything the leaks are coming from the O-rings where the brake fluid crosses from the inboard half to the outboard half.

Ya know, I've spent around $275 on front calipers, (which I have not put a single mile on), and I just don't want to spend any more money on em for now.

I'm wondering now, if brake heat will somehow seal them?? I may have to just wait and see. The car won't be ready to drive for another six months anyway.

Ed

You might try a thin coat of RTV on the o'ring. You shouldn't need that but it's a cheap fix if it works.

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-from what you describe it seems the weaping is not at the active seals outward, but rather between the castiron-caliper material and the pressed-in stainless-steel sleeve member; --the actual weeping migrating through from the original brake-line inlet-port and just before the hole in the sleeve where the weeping-oil is bypassing the brake-system! If so, it would'nt really effect normal breaking-action, but its not a good thing, as it could also conversely let air seep-in as hot brakes sit and cool-down!! Just my 2c worth... ~Bob vH

fast eddie,

I have heard that after you change out calipers/brakes that you need to seat the o=rings. I hear that by driving the car and pressing on the brakes very hard and sharp, you seat the seals.

I did some brake work on my 77 myself and I had two leaking calipers, one front and one rear. I tried this, and my rear caliper stopped leaking, my front did not. I replaced the front, every thing's fine now.

My rear was like yours, just a drop a day or so, just enough to take the garage floor sealant off!!! I have kept a close eye on it, and there is no leak. hope THIS helps. I think I read this in the haynes manual.

Oh I did this in a parking lot on a weekend. be safe.


GIT R DONE_____________________BORDERBUM

Thanks Borderbum. What you say does make sense. There are O rings between the caliper halves. Abrupt pressure would have a seating effect. I'll try it. Part of the problem may be that I'm not driving the car. Most people who put new brakes in, go out and use them.

Thanks

fast eddy

[DDLS1]

fast-eddy,

If you have taken the calipers apart then you should replace the o-ring. It may be that the o-ring seat was not properly cleaned, or the o-ring was pinched during assembly, or even incorrectly torqued. Get new orings at your local parts store, carefully clean the seating surfaces and re-assemble torquing the bolts evenly on either end. O-rings properly installed, of the correct size, should not leak, hot or cold, use or no use and do not require any seating or break-in.