Back caliper leaking?

kshacklett · 07-16-2008, 07:03 PM

I got in my car today and had no brakes. They wouldn't pump. No warning. Nothing. Sure enough there's a puddle next to where the left rear wheel had been parked.

It looks as though it leaked from the back of the caliper somewhere, as opposed to leaking through the cylinders. My Haynes book says the rear calipers can't be serviced. True?

The caliper is now off and disconnected from the brake line. I have it sitting up with fluid in it hoping to see where it's leaking, but the only suspicious place is in the back right above where the emergency brake shaft comes in. There's an opening that seems to be sealed with something rubbery, and it has leaked a little since I've had the caliper off.

Suggestions?

Thanks

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Check the article in the Tech Articles section of this website about rebuilding the rear brakes.

There's another take on it over on the 914world BBS. Eric Shea of PMB Performance wrote it up and posted pics. He also rebuilds calipers, and as far as I can tell he does stellar work.

--DD

kshacklett · 07-17-2008, 09:49 AM

Thanks as usual, Dave. The tech articles say it all. I'll try to remember to look there first next time.

djpateman · 07-17-2008, 01:38 PM

When it comes to leaks from the parking brake lever area, the only real solution is to send them to Eric for a complete rebuild. This is one job that belongs to the pros.

kshacklett · 07-18-2008, 10:06 AM

Okay so how do I contact Eric and do you know what it costs? Pelican's rebuilt kit is temporarily unavailable so I'm nosing around trying to find one, but it looks like a hassle to rebuild so buying a rebuild is looking pretty good.

Can someone explain dual bleeders and speed bleeders?

ein 6er · 07-18-2008, 05:27 PM

http://www.pmbperformance.com/page/page/1477706.htm

eric rebuilt a set of calipers for me, i highly recommend him!!

Eric_Shea · Eric_Shea's Garage

Thanks Guys! (your checks are in the mail).

K, if you're leaking out of the handbrake arm seal (which is really just a dust seal) then your inner adjuster seal is shot. At this point, nothing short of a full rebuild will suffice. I've seen hundreds of these things, if you have a bad inner seal it's mor than likely due to hardening of the seal. That means your outer seal is probably fairly hard as well.

Dual bleeders will denote a late style caliper vs. early (change-over was 72.5). Speed bleeders are "basically" a one way valve that allows a single person brake bleed. Very handy and available here at our FLHWS (friendly local hosts web site).

kshacklett · 07-19-2008, 12:59 PM

Eric, Can you give some particulars? How much per side and how long a turnaround?

This problem seemed to come on rather suddenly but the sad fact is I hadn't checked the fluid in a long time. When I think about it, my brakes have lousy for a while. I've had to step on them pretty hard. I notice that the wear pattern on the pads looks suspicious, as though they that brake is barely functioning. I should probably check the other side carefully.

Lesson learned: Don't ever be lulled by that fact that every time you check fluid it's full, especially with your brakes and more especially with a 35 year old system. Had I been a little less lucky I could have suffered anything from major expense and hassle to death.

Thanks to everyone for input.

Eric_Shea · Eric_Shea's Garage

$249.00 plus a $100.00 Core charge. Shipping is $9.30

We only do them in pairs because, if one is bad... so is the other.

http://www.pmbperformance.com/page/page/4741552.htm

Turn-around is about 1 week right now.

kshacklett · 07-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Thanks for the info. I've decided that since I have more time than money I'm going to give rebuilding a go.

I might change my mind real quick so let me get this straight: I pay 358.30 up front, you send calipers ASAP regardless of whether you receive my cores, then when the cores show up you refund 100. Right?

Eric_Shea · Eric_Shea's Garage

Yes Sir.