As many of you know, I've stated my LOW OPINION of most commercially rebuilt parts on numerous occasions in the past. Although it does not involve a Corvette, I've had another experience with commercially rebuilt parts that reinforces my opinion once again. Specifically, I recently got involved in a rear brake job on my old 1989 Cadillac Eldorado (my back-up for my driver car). I discovered that the calipers needed to be overhauled or replaced. With some trepidation, I decided that I'd buy a set of rebuilt calipers to "keep it simple". My local Delco dealer did not have Delco-branded calipers immediately available but did have Raybestos "Professional Grade" rebuilt calipers so I purchased those. These calipers included the caliper bracket and were supposed to be ready to install pads and bolt on. Quite frankly, I expect that the Delco-brand would have been no different----rebuilt calipers from the same rebuilding source but in Delco boxes.
Opening the boxes, I was not really very impressed with the apparent quality of these calipers but I figured they'd work OK. Well, I found that with the new OEM GM pads I installed and FULLY SEATED ON THE CALIPER AND PISTON there was insufficient space between the pads to accommodate the rotor. The maximum space between the pads was 0.430 and the rotors are 0.494" thick. Even if the rotors were at discard thickness the rotors would not fit between the pads mounted in the calipers.
Of course, the rear calipers on the car are a little complicated since there is an integral mechanical parking brake mechanism. However, I had the pistons in the absolute most retracted position possible. I struggled with this for HOURS and NO WAY could I achieve a situation in which I could get the rotor between the pads. I even purchased a set of cheap aftermarket pads hoping that they would be thinner. They wouldn't work, either.
So, what's the problem? I don't know. The cores the calipers were rebuilt from appear to be correct. So, I expect the problem relates to some of the internal parts that were used to rebuild the calipers----possibly some off-spec pistons, actuator screw, or other parts which affect the position of the piston in its most retracted position. I wasn't going to take them apart to find out. I'll just return them.
So, what now? I guess I'll have to rebuild my existing calipers. I KNOW they worked and I usually have pretty good luck rebuilding my own components.
The whole point here is BEWARE OF COMMERCIALLY REBUILT parts. I've gotten burned a pretty good percentage of the relatively few times I've used them. It seems to me that anything resembling quality control is sorely lacking on these. In fact and for example, the parking brake cable bracket attached to one of these calipers was loose out-of-the-box and the "stubs" of the outboard pad retaining clips of pads that previously resided there were still to be found in the caliper body! Oh, and in case you're starting to think these things were probably remanufactured in China, Taiwan, or Mexico, put that out of your mind. The box clearly stated "Remanufactured in USA".
While the above example involves a Cadillac Eldorado, commercially rebuilt parts are also obviously available for Corvettes, too. My recommendation: AVOID IF POSSIBLE AND BEWARE IF PURCHASED.
Opening the boxes, I was not really very impressed with the apparent quality of these calipers but I figured they'd work OK. Well, I found that with the new OEM GM pads I installed and FULLY SEATED ON THE CALIPER AND PISTON there was insufficient space between the pads to accommodate the rotor. The maximum space between the pads was 0.430 and the rotors are 0.494" thick. Even if the rotors were at discard thickness the rotors would not fit between the pads mounted in the calipers.
Of course, the rear calipers on the car are a little complicated since there is an integral mechanical parking brake mechanism. However, I had the pistons in the absolute most retracted position possible. I struggled with this for HOURS and NO WAY could I achieve a situation in which I could get the rotor between the pads. I even purchased a set of cheap aftermarket pads hoping that they would be thinner. They wouldn't work, either.
So, what's the problem? I don't know. The cores the calipers were rebuilt from appear to be correct. So, I expect the problem relates to some of the internal parts that were used to rebuild the calipers----possibly some off-spec pistons, actuator screw, or other parts which affect the position of the piston in its most retracted position. I wasn't going to take them apart to find out. I'll just return them.
So, what now? I guess I'll have to rebuild my existing calipers. I KNOW they worked and I usually have pretty good luck rebuilding my own components.
The whole point here is BEWARE OF COMMERCIALLY REBUILT parts. I've gotten burned a pretty good percentage of the relatively few times I've used them. It seems to me that anything resembling quality control is sorely lacking on these. In fact and for example, the parking brake cable bracket attached to one of these calipers was loose out-of-the-box and the "stubs" of the outboard pad retaining clips of pads that previously resided there were still to be found in the caliper body! Oh, and in case you're starting to think these things were probably remanufactured in China, Taiwan, or Mexico, put that out of your mind. The box clearly stated "Remanufactured in USA".
While the above example involves a Cadillac Eldorado, commercially rebuilt parts are also obviously available for Corvettes, too. My recommendation: AVOID IF POSSIBLE AND BEWARE IF PURCHASED.
Comment