'78 SC brake job - cost & parts advice?
11-26-2002, 03:36 PM
#1
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
'78 SC brake job - cost & parts advice?
I've just been informed that my calipers are leaking in front (both sides!). The car has about 120K miles and has been tracked, but well-maintained mechanically. Is this unusual to require both at this time?
Also, my mechanic quoted $256 each on the calipers (new, via Worldpac). Is that a reasonable cost? Any recommendations on getting them elsewhere for less? Labor would run about $500 if they could do the job while they're replacing discs and pads, but it will have to be done later as I need the car back today.
Also, my mechanic quoted $256 each on the calipers (new, via Worldpac). Is that a reasonable cost? Any recommendations on getting them elsewhere for less? Labor would run about $500 if they could do the job while they're replacing discs and pads, but it will have to be done later as I need the car back today.
11-26-2002, 04:28 PM
#2
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Well don't know if its common that both calipers went at the same time BUT you always want to replace brake components such as calipers, pads, and rotors in pairs NO MATTER WHAT.
Ok...The cheapest way out is rebuilding your calipers yourself but this is messy and time consuming...but cheap(repeat)...I think the caliper rebuild kits are $15 a caliper.
The easiest way is --- to buy rebuilt calipers from Vertex (www.vertexauto.com). Rebuilt calipers are $98.00 a piece with $100 core charge(refunded once you send them your old calipers). Then all you need is some pads possibly rotors($60 each). Changing out the calipers is an easy job for the weekend mechanic...so think about it. If you do it yourself you could have 2 new calipers and pads are your car for less than $250....add new rotors and your still under $400 for the complete job!!!
Good luck, let me know if you need any other info,
--Brian
Ok...The cheapest way out is rebuilding your calipers yourself but this is messy and time consuming...but cheap(repeat)...I think the caliper rebuild kits are $15 a caliper.
The easiest way is --- to buy rebuilt calipers from Vertex (www.vertexauto.com). Rebuilt calipers are $98.00 a piece with $100 core charge(refunded once you send them your old calipers). Then all you need is some pads possibly rotors($60 each). Changing out the calipers is an easy job for the weekend mechanic...so think about it. If you do it yourself you could have 2 new calipers and pads are your car for less than $250....add new rotors and your still under $400 for the complete job!!!
Good luck, let me know if you need any other info,
--Brian
11-26-2002, 04:39 PM
#3
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info, Brian. My mechanic also made the point that Worldpac doesn't sell rebuilt calipers for "safety reasons." Should I be at all worried about going with the rebuilt ones considering that I do track the car?
11-26-2002, 07:45 PM
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The rebuilt units will have passed inspection as to the components that need to be replaced (i.e. pistons, piston cylinders, caliper) The only remaining parts that can be replaced are the seals, dust covers and securing clip (included in a rebuilt kit for $15), unless a piston needs replacing. The only advantage, if any, to the new v. rebuilt calipers is that you have new metal.
11-26-2002, 08:36 PM
#5
Technical Specialist
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When the brakes start leaking, you need to replace the rubber seals. That's all. If you're mechanically inclined, get the $15 set of seals and do it yourself. You also need to be able to bleed your brakes when you're done. On tech.rennlist.com a how to article is <a href="http://tech.rennlist.com/911/pdf/add/Brakecaliperrebuildprocedurebobspindel.PDF" target="_blank">here</a> and some good advice <a href="http://tech.rennlist.com/911/pdf/brakecaliperrebuildobservawaltfricke.PDF" target="_blank">here</a>, and, from Pelican Parts, one with pictures <a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_caliper_rebuild/911_caliper_rebuild.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. Rebuilding them, as others observed, is really pretty easy. Perhaps you can bribe a friend to help/do (German beer can work as a bribe, after the work is done 
). Otherwise, I've known people who have used the Vertex rebuilt units successfully, including one club racer.
). Otherwise, I've known people who have used the Vertex rebuilt units successfully, including one club racer.
11-26-2002, 11:32 PM
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I rebuilt my calipers not too long ago and it was very simple to do. I think I paid under thirty dollars for the rebuild kits. plus a can of super blue fluid, and I already had the power bleeder. I painted the calipers while they were off the car, and that made the job way easier. pads are about forty bucks for the set and I think I paid about sixty a piece for my zimmerman cross drilled rotors. Mine took a little longer since I painted my calipers, I think you could easily do it in a day otherwise. Oh yeah the only tool I had to buy to do this was a set of dentist picks to get the old O-rings out, just be careful when you have one of those things in the bore of you caliper it could get ugly quick with a hiccup or sneeze.
11-27-2002, 08:34 AM
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I have a '78 SC and I rebuilt the calipers - it is a fairly straight - forward job. The most important part is to maintain absolute cleanliness throughout the rebuild process. The pistons will need careful inspection - sometimes they partially seize in the bore of the caliper and suffer wear on one side.
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11-27-2002, 11:27 AM
#8
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the good advice, guys. I'm still working on my dissertation--which some of you may recall from my occassional postings to the old e-mail-based list. So time is short. I'm going to go with the Vertex rebuilds. Thanks for the links, Bill. I'll check them out for future reference. The least I can do is learn to bleed them myself--at least until I'm a doctor...
