Corvette Brake Calipers – Original Style vs. O-Ring Seal
One of the most popular questions asked when replacing Corvette Brake Calipers on Midyear and C3 Corvettes is: should I install the original style brake caliper (Lip Seal Design) or the newer O-Ring Seal style? The correct answer is not to install one over the other, but to decide which caliper will be better suited for your restoration or Corvette Brake Overhaul. Not sure which brake caliper is right for you?
Corvette Brake Caliper
Original Shark-era Corvettes had the lip seal design caliper installed. With that said if you would like to keep your Corvette 100% correct then the lip seal is the way to go. However, be aware that prolonged inactivity and/or worn brake components are the enemy of the lip seal design and can very quickly cause your Corvette’s Brake Calipers to leak. If you enjoy exercising your Corvette heartily, or, conversely, your pride and joy often sits for extended periods, O-ring seals are the better choice. They are superior in design all around and offer the best sealing possible.
Now available at Zip Corvette are both front and rear brake caliper o-ring conversion kits. These kits will allow you to convert your Corvette’s Brake Calipers from the original lip seal design to the long lasting o-ring design pistons. The kits include four o-ring style pistons for front and rear calipers, o-rings, dust boots and caliper fluid seals. There are enough components in each kit to convert a single caliper to the o-ring design.
How do you install DB-542. Do they go on the inner pad, outer pad or both?
Jon,
The kit you are asking about is the brake pad shim kit for 1965-1982 Corvettes. The shims go on both the inner and outer pads and simply slide over the outer edge. There are enough shims in the kit to install on the front brakes only.
I have one leaking Corvette brake caliper with lip seals. Can the coversion to o-ring seals be done on just one caliper at a time, should they be done in pairs, or all four at once? Right now only one caliper is leaking so I would like to only rebuild the one at this time.
Mark,
It is recommended that you convert your Corvette’s brake calipers in pairs. Either both rear calipers or both front calipers.