Brake calipers leaking

[sevenracer]

I track two 1st gen cars, and 3 out of 4 front calipers have started leaking after just a few events.

Is this a common problem? I'm not running brake ducts yet. Could excess heat cause this failure?

Thanks,
Neil

[ddewhurst]

Neil, were the calipers new & when ?

Were the calipers old & rebuilt & when ?

Were the calipers old shit ?

Is the leak comming from the piston o-ring through the piston cover ruber boot ?

Is the piston cover rubber boot soft as rubber should be or is it hard & cracky ?

If the piston cover rubber boot is NOT SOFT the piston o-ring is also most likely not soft also.

I have raced a 1st gen for 4 years approx 30 race dates plus some open track days & never had a leaking caliper. Started with original old shit that worked well & then installed new cailpers two years ago. Will rebuild the calipers this winter because the left front is starting to hang up & not release the disc. Have always had Mazda Comp brake ducts directing air to the center of the disc.

David
CenDiv
Spec-7 # 14

[sevenracer]

The first 2 were rebuilt ones that I rebuilt again. One of these started leaking. I rebuilt a 3rd time, and it leaked again.

Both the other two started leaking at the same time. These two calipers are old shit that came on the car when I bought it. The boots are "hard and cracky".

I was mainly wondering if I needed to make rebuilding the calipers part of my normal car prep. It doesn't sound like that's required.

Guess I'll be getting brake ducts sooner instead of later.

Thanks!

[theenico]

Next time you rebuild them check the pistons and piston bores for burr's or scratches. I always clean mine up with a brake hone (looks like a miniature cylinder hone). Good luck.

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Nico
KCRaceware (816) 257-7305
[email protected]

[bcarter]

Hey guys, where do you get the rebuild kit? After 3 seasons, I have found my left front leaking. It was OK at the last race, but I took the wheels off about a month later, and the caliper is leaking around the piston..

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G. Brooke Carter
Wheat Buckley Racing
# 10 Challenge Car
2003 Class Champion
Calgary, Alberta
http://www.guyons.com/pictures/photos_cars/06_30_rx7_brook2_150.jpg

[Allen Brown]

Brooke...Shouldn't you be off at the beach? (of course...just watching the waves...)

I have a magazine, but don't remember the name. They did have rebuild kits listed, and I have a rear caliper that is in need of a rebuild. I'll send you an email with Ph number and name once I find the magazine.

Enjoy the winter...We just had a dumping of snow two days ago...The first snow always hurts the most.

[bcarter]

Allen,

I AM at the beach, in Spain....no snow !

No race car either, but thinking about next year already...

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G. Brooke Carter
Wheat Buckley Racing
# 10 Challenge Car
2003 Class Champion
Calgary, Alberta
http://www.guyons.com/pictures/photos_cars/06_30_rx7_brook2_150.jpg