brake questions...

[aggie91]

I have a rebuild started. I know that I will need to replace the master cylinder since it is leaking down the firewall.

What I am not sure about is the calipers. The fronts are stock truck calipers that were new in 1998 and the rears are rebuilds from a ford versilli(sp?) from the parts store also in 1998. The truck has been sitting since about 2000. Are the seals OK or should I just replace the calipers with rebuilt units?? For safety reasons, I think that I will replace them, but wanted opinions from you guys...

[Wild83C10]

Has it been sitting outside or in a garage? Do you live in a dry part of Texas? I wouldn't think the calipers would be bad even though it's been 9/10 years. I would definitely inspect them at the very least. Make sure you inspect the rubber lines as well.

The rear has disc or drum brakes? If they are drums then the brake cylinder may need to be replaced, those typically go bad before anything else.

[aggie91]

Thanks for the input. It has been outside most of that time. It has discs front on rear. I think that I will put rebuilt calipers on from the parts store. And ALL new lines....

[Wrenchbender Ret]

If the pistons push back into the caliper smoothly & the boots are good the calipers should be OK. You can put kits in them yourself.

[aggie91]

Thanks, for only $12 each I can replace the front calipers with rebuilts from O'Reilly's. The rears are from a 1980 Lincoln Versailles the rebuilt ones are expensive or not available. I ordered seal kits, but I may inspect them a little closer before attempting to rebuild them myself.