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Thread: Brake calipers leaking

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    charlotte
    Posts
    44

    Default Brake calipers leaking

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Wauwatosa, WI, USA
    Posts
    2,658

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    charlotte
    Posts
    44

    Default

    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!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    120

    Default

    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.

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    158

    Default

    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..

    ------------------
    G. Brooke Carter
    Wheat Buckley Racing
    # 10 Challenge Car
    2003 Class Champion
    Calgary, Alberta

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    193

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    158

    Default

    Allen,

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

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

    ------------------
    G. Brooke Carter
    Wheat Buckley Racing
    # 10 Challenge Car
    2003 Class Champion
    Calgary, Alberta

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