Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

[Charlie P.]

Finally getting around to working on my 1981. It has been sitting for 2 1/2 years. Car has 7,300 miles and the calipers were leaking. I assumed they were original calipers. When I started taking them apart, I found they were all free and had been stainless sleeved. Pistons and sleeves look fine.

They could have been changed 25 years ago, for all I know. I am assuming that the seals "went bad" and are allowing the leaks. Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Charlie

[Gene M.]

Re: Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

I think you nailed it. Redo the seals flush and if car sits a lot use silicone dot 5 brake fluid.

[Gary R.]

Re: Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

Charlie
If sleeved then they have been replaced. Typically they are rebuilt with lip seals although many sell O-rings seals now.
I can pass along what has worked for my the past 30 years.
1- I only use DOT3 fluid
2- I use SS lines calipers with lip seals
3- I use a motive bleeder,works better then any other home method and as good as a pro pressure bleeder.
4- I pump the brakes at least a couple of times a month.
5- If stored for more then 2-3 months I use the motive to flush out the old fluid that probably absorbed mositure.
6- I set bearing endplay to 0015-002 and rotor runout to under 002"
7- replace the hoses if they are older then 8 years, the ID swells and closes. I saw a 69 catch fire from this once when the caliper locked up.

My Brakes are hard and stop. Never used O-rings, slotted rotors,DOT4 or 5 BF.

Good luck
Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

Charles,

Lip seals are fine, the problem is when our cars sit the weight of the piston flat spots the lip seal and leaks occur. The solution is every couple weeks pump the brake pedal and this will keep the seal from flat spots.

[Charlie P.]

Re: Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

Thanks for advice guys. The rears seem to be O.K., but I found the front sleeves seem to have a different type of stainless with a finish that looks non-machined. Also, some of the sleeves of were severely corroded! Looks to me like sub-standard material was used. I will exchange the fronts (since they are not original anyway), and put new piston and dust seals in the rears.

Charlie

[Joe L.]

Re: Rebuilt/sleeved calipers are leaking

Thanks for advice guys. The rears seem to be O.K., but I found the front sleeves seem to have a different type of stainless with a finish that looks non-machined. Also, some of the sleeves of were severely corroded! Looks to me like sub-standard material was used. I will exchange the fronts (since they are not original anyway), and put new piston and dust seals in the rears.

Charlie

Charlie------


There are "el cheapo" stainless steel sleeved calipers out there and, based on your description, I expect that's what was used on your car. This type of caliper is the kind often found in automotive parts stores, sometimes selling for a fairly low price. On these, every possible "corner is cut" to turn these things out as cheaply as possible. The sleeves are often DECORATIVE STAINLESS, not the 304 or 316 used by quality rebuilders. Very often, the pistons are re-used even though most long-in-service pistons are not fit for re-use. The absolute cheapest seals and dust boots are also used.