[Gehrkmania]

I just rebuilt the front calipers on my '67. The brakes seem to be working fine, but I am seeing a little brake fluid on the garage floor. The guy at the brake shop showed me where a little fluid was getting past a couple of the boots, but said if it's holding pressure - I should be ok. He said it felt like the piston had a lot of play and might be worn out.

Like I said - they are working just fine, but I can't imagine that any brake fluid leak can really be 'o.k.'

New (reman'd) calipers for that car are like $150 each. Anyone have any cheaper suggestions on a fix?

[go2fast]

Not OK. You need to replace the piston(s) or get a rebuilt caliper. Besides, if fluid can get out, air can get in.

[ville69]

NEVER take a chance on faulty brakes when you know there's a problem.

[Steptoe]

The guy at the brake shop showed me where a little fluid was getting past a couple of the boots, but said if it's holding pressure - I should be ok.Get a new brake shop
I dont know what things are like in the States..
Here..All cars go thru a 6 month Warrant of Fitness (WoF) no pass no drive.
For brakes.
No pedal fade ...and u will have that
no leaks...u have that
the slightest crack, run on a hose...fail
At 30 km/hr the car must stop in 7 meters and hand brake must stop in 12 meters...
If the WoF inspector misses and is audited he can be suspended or loose his licence
If a repair is not done correct...as in your case...and someone dies..criminal manslaughter charges...same goes for WoF inspector.

At least Replace seals etc in both front calipers, at minium

Your statement I quoted above...bottom line...scares the crap out of me.

[JimM]

I agree with the others, ANY brake fluid leak is automatically terminal.

Assuming you have the 4 piston calipers, I highly recommend you bite the bullet and call vettebrakes for stainless sleeved replacements, you'll never even have to think about them again, as long as the car shall live.

It's a design flaw in those calipers, the bores rust if there's any moisture in the system, and since the o-ring is on the piston instead of in the bore, they leak when they rust. It's not curable, except with stainless sleeves in the bores. Had a 69 vette once, been there, done that, have the t-shirt.

[Gehrkmania]

Being able to stop is definitely among the top 4 or 5 things I consider important

I guess, like you said - I am just going to have to bite the bullet and spring for some new calipers.

When the guy at the brake shop looked at the calipers - I had just rebuilt them, and he suggested that the pistons might be worn out, or the brakes might just need to be driven around and used a little, and the leak might go away. Since it hasn't, and I really have a hard time believing that ANY leak on a car is 'OK' - I guess I do need to find a new brake shop!

How would I know if the calipers I have were SS sleeved? When I rebuilt them - the sides of the bores were really nice and shiny silver. The bottoms of the bores were pitted and had a little rust from where the springs were sitting.

[Camaro Dave]

When you see fluid leaking out of the boots, the leak is only going to get worse. Don't take any chances when it comes to something as important as brakes.

[Pauly]

Thats Soooooo NOT ok!!! If air is going past it also is being sucked in. you may need to get the caliper sleeved or/and a new piston. Look around for a local caliper rebuilder they are out there sometimes hard to find but usually are cheap if you bring them the caliper

[Gehrkmania]

Well, I found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2485163496

I am trying to reach the seller to ask some questions, but so far it looks like a pretty good deal...

[Pauly]

Call these guys they are right around the corner from me and do quality work
http://www.ssbrakes.com/