How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

[Monte M.]

Today I popped the calipers off my 72 because they were bleeding a little. The car has been sitting for years, so the fact that they are dripping a little is not a huge issue.

But, when I opened the caliper up, it has brass sleeves. I know stainless steel (SS) was a pretty popular fix a number of years ago, but I have not heard much about brass.

They are in great shape with no wear pattern of any kind.This might be partially due to the fact that the car has only had 3,000 put on it sense 1978.

My plan is to do a very light hone and put new seals in them.

Why brass versus SS?

Is one a ton better than the other?

[Ronald L.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Monte, brass is even softer than cast iron, but expect more corrosion resistant that iron to the glycol water pitting. SS impervious - there might be someone around that remembers the brass sleeves, from my mid 70's experience, even then it was sending these out to have ss as the various honing and seal replacements did not last a driving season. I still have those old 'tools' inclusive of the socket style caps used to seat the boot seals occupying shelf space.

[Dick W.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

I have seen a few sets done with brass, in fact a local machine shop used to do brass sleeving. I don't think there is really a big difference either way, SS is just more common and all the major rebuilders us SS today..

I just sent a set of wheel cylinders and a master cylinder out to have them brass sleeved. I have no preferences either way, just that White Post has done brass for as long as I can remember.

[Terry M.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

I thought White Post did brass. Someone else can confirm.

[Dick W.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

I thought White Post did brass. Someone else can confirm.

Hmmmm......we were posting at the same time, yes White Post does brass. I have always used them for non Vette items. They have been around for many, many years.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

I had White Post do my master cylinder and it was done in brass but I don't know what they do for calipers. If the calipers were sleeved then the most likely cause of the leaking is not pitting in the bore allowing fluid around the seals, it is most likely that the seals are deteriorated to the point that they just don't seal. New seals would most likely solve the problem. I replaced the piston and seals in the rears on my '69 years ago with o-rings and they have never leaked and it also solved the air pumping issue. I know that this does nothing to correct a runout issue but it stopped the air in the lines immediately and allowed good bleeding with a good pedal for years.
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Today I popped the calipers off my 72 because they were bleeding a little. The car has been sitting for years, so the fact that they are dripping a little is not a huge issue.

But, when I opened the caliper up, it has brass sleeves. I know stainless steel (SS) was a pretty popular fix a number of years ago, but I have not heard much about brass.

They are in great shape with no wear pattern of any kind.This might be partially due to the fact that the car has only had 3,000 put on it sense 1978.

My plan is to do a very light hone and put new seals in them.

Why brass versus SS?

Is one a ton better than the other?

Monte, I don't think I would hone the brass inserts as they are soft. If they look good I would just use a very fine steel wool to to scuff the surface or leave them alone. As long as there is no wear you should be good to go .Ed

[Brian M.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

They did my 67 master in Brass.

[Monte M.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Ed,
Thank you for pointing that out. That is why I wrote "light hone" but if you think a light scuff with steel wool is better, I will give that a shot.

I have heard of a lot of things sleeved in brass. It is that I have never heard of the Corvette calipers being done that way. These would have had to have been done before the mid 80's.

It is good to know it is normal, whatever that is, and should be just another project. I do agree that the reason they are leaking is just old tired seals.

In your guys opinion, (open can of worms) should I just use a regular rebuild kit, or is there something better out now that is that much better. The piston and squared off "O' rings for example.

Appreciate the input.

[Edward J.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

My opinion is use the lipped seals, they'll last you another 6/7 years. as with most vintage corvettes they only get driven a few thousand miles a year. unless your in the warmer climates. Be sure to change out the fluid every 2or 3 years.

[Monte M.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

I am lucky enough to live in California. The 72 has so few miles (39K) because of things going on in my life and just not getting around to putting it back together. The 65 is driven almost every weekend. When the 63 is done, it will do a year or so of being a trailer queen, with minimal driving. But after that, I hope to drive it into the ground. When my son gets the car, he can restore it again if he wants, but I do not believe in saving all the mileage for someone else.

I am very lucky to live out here where I was upset when I found a 2" by 3" area on the birdcage of the 63 that I had to cut out and replace. I have to admit we restore cars out here, but I have seen some of these cars come back from a very dark place. The guys doing it are artists. All the metal work, then they start on the car, if you will.

Driving the cars does seem to keep the calipers from leaking. Like many other things, being dormant is one of the worse things you can do to these cars.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[Joe L.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Ed,
Thank you for pointing that out. That is why I wrote "light hone" but if you think a light scuff with steel wool is better, I will give that a shot.

I have heard of a lot of things sleeved in brass. It is that I have never heard of the Corvette calipers being done that way. These would have had to have been done before the mid 80's.

It is good to know it is normal, whatever that is, and should be just another project. I do agree that the reason they are leaking is just old tired seals.

In your guys opinion, (open can of worms) should I just use a regular rebuild kit, or is there something better out now that is that much better. The piston and squared off "O' rings for example.

Appreciate the input.

Monte-----


Absolutely no "light hone" and no "light scuff". I wouldn't use anything more abrasive than crocus cloth and, with brass, I'd probably prefer not to use even that.

[Monte M.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Joe,

I know the brass is somewhat soft. As I have gone back and taken a better look at them, one does need a little cleaning up, but the others seem to be just fine. There is one small area that needs a little dressing of some kind. However I dress it, I want to be consistent all the way around. At this point I think I will get it all cleaned up, then start with the lightest process I can come up with. I think it will be very minimal touch up to have it back to the way I want it.

If I run into any issues with it, I will be back here picking your brains so I do not do anything that causes me to have to re-sleeve it, again.

Wish me the best and I might have to not only have my fingers crossed, I might actually have to keep my eyes open when I do it.

With the advise you all have give me, I feel pretty confident that this should not turn into anything more than replacing the seals.

Thanks again for the advise and I surely let you know if I need a little direction.

Monte

[Jim T.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Monte doing all the rebuild work on the calipers would be a good time to switch to silicone brake fluid. Silicone brake fluid does not absorb moisture like DOT3-4 and does not require a complete fluid change every 2-4 years. Some NCRS members have had silicone fluid for over 20 years. You can see through the silicone fluid to the bottom of a brake master cylinder that has silicone installed fluid for years. My 68 and 70 has been changed to silicone for over 20 years.

[Paul J.]

Re: How Common Are Brass Caliper Sleeves

Monte doing all the rebuild work on the calipers would be a good time to switch to silicone brake fluid. Silicone brake fluid does not absorb moisture like DOT3-4 and does not require a complete fluid change every 2-4 years. Some NCRS members have had silicone fluid for over 20 years. You can see through the silicone fluid to the bottom of a brake master cylinder that has silicone installed fluid for years. My 68 and 70 has been changed to silicone for over 20 years.

You beat me to it, Jim. The longest that I've had silicone fluid in a car was 26 years. While that was not on purpose, it worked fine, and there was no need to change it. The fact that it is not hydroscopic will save any brake system.

Paul