Brake experts, my caliper is leaking fluid...

I have a big problem. There is a leak in my caliper. I checked the bleed valve to see if I did not tighten it enough after I bled my brakes two weeks ago, it was dry, but the caliper itself is covered in brake fluid. It is the p***enger side, fortunately and it has a dual reservoir M/C. Funny thing is that the car stops just fine.

I guess it must be ******* fluid out of the piston bore in the caliper? Just my luck. So much for my Christmas present to myself, I’m going to be buying calipers, might as well do both. Besides the usual ‘why me’ question, the question is why?

I haven’t had the time to do anything other than the most cursory check in the parking lot. The caliper is all wet and the primary reservoir is down about 1/4 from full, the rear is still full. I believe I can make it home since it is not a bunch of stop and go driving, but what a pain in my ***.

 

I dont know much about modern stuff but dontcha just need another O-ring?

 

I guess 1968 is modern...

 

yeah , just take the caliper apart and inspect it for any rust, grooves , pits , etc....clean it up with a hone if it's ok , then put in new O-ring seals....it could be that simple

it's possible that the seal is just bad

 

Caliper? That rail has disk brake? Wow.

If rebuilding your own brake calipers makes you nervous, check your local parts joint.

The last disk caliper I bought at my local AutoZone was $16.99 exchange.

You may have to order it, but I bet it is no more than 29 bucks at the VERY most.

Good luck, -Abone.

PS. I'm drinking a beer for you. (And for me..)

 

You didn't mention if they are used calipers, rebuilt, etc. If they are used and were sitting around then the piston or bore may be rusted up, rubber o-ring gets funky, once they get some pressure on them they leak. Just dissasemble and inspect. If there is any rust on either piston or bore clean it up, it any pitting remains the part is toast. Replace sealing ring with a new one and re***emble, using brake fluid as lube when it goes together. Or, like the man said, go check with a local parts place, a lot of calipers are being rebuilt and they are dirt cheap.

 

Replace it. Unless its funky, it should be relatively cheap! How much is being able to stop worth to you???

 

I investigated prices and they are surprisingly cheap. Whilst I'm at it I'll do the pads as well.

I drive this car as a daily, no garage queen. As to whether or not they are rebuilts or what have you, I dunno because it has the brakes on it now when I bought it in 2001.

Abone, yeah power disk brakes, and a posi rear. I really am surprised that nobody jumped on it when I offered it for sale, so **** it, I'll keep it for a while longer.

 

Viva La Auto Zone!

I would just buy a new one. Sounds like your leaning that way already. The tool may be more expensive then the caliper.

 

probally is leaking at the cylinder, but did you check the brake line? it could be leaking where it connects to the caliper.

 

I neglected to mention that JSM, it was the first thing I checked, fine.