'78 Needs a Brake Caliper

[Greg A.]

Reviving my '78 from storage and found a severe pull to the right on braking. The left front caliper shows a fair amount of leakage. The brakes are the one system I haven't had to touch in the five years I've owned the car, other than to replace the fluid every couple years.

I've browsed the archives and found some recommendations on what to do, but I want to make sure I've got this right. I don't have the time to do this myself right now, so I'll have to have my mechanic (specializing in Corvettes) do the work.

I spoke to a prior owner of the car and he told me that he had the brakes "re-done" when he bought the car and brought it out of "deep" storage. I asked if he had them re-sleeved and he said, "um, yeah." So I guess I can't count on any of the calipers being SS sleeved, but want to verify what others would recommend:

- If SS sleeved, have the sleeve polished and install new seals. Do I do just the leaking LF, or the RF too?

- If not sleeved, have the original re-built, or do a core exchange? Do I go with O-ring pistons or original design? This is a Top Flight car and I do want to keep it as original as possible. Do both fronts, all four, or just the leaker?

Thanks for any advice.

Greg.

[Tom R.]

Re: '78 Needs a Brake Caliper

Greg:

I did my calipers in the 78 about ten years, SS sleeved and with the lip ring style...I don't think O rings were out yet. At the time, three were leaking and we did all four.

A few years ago...it started all over again and we did three on the basis of warranty with VBP which offset some cost. Should have done all four and converted to O style. Instead within the year, I was doing the fourth at which time I converted only the rear to O ring...they've been solid since.

Also during the interim...had to do the master cylinder as well. BTW, I use silicone fluid. The lesson for me is once they go...eventually they go. My suggestion bite the bullet and do them all at once. You'll save brake fluid and patience!