Front brake calipers 1972

[1972avantiisme]

I am the new owner of a 1972 Avanti. The car sat for a long time and the front brake calipers appear to be stuck or very stiff. I believe they are the original style with dual cylinders one on each side of the rotor and are held on to a center structure with 4 bolts.

All the local parts houses and on-line have replacement calipers listed but they are single piston and do not resemble the ones on the car at all. What are these for?

I took one of the piston/cylinders off and pulled it apart and the cylinder wall is pitted. Has someone out there rebuilt these, and if so how does one hone out the cylinder?

Any suggestions besides buying rebuilt ones from a Studebaker parts supplier for $90 a piece, 4 required?

Thanks, Ted

[ron@crall.com]

I's been many years but I have rebuilt a number of Studebaker disk brakes, however dual cylinders on each side is new to me. I thought that Avanti II was still using the Studebaker system. Could you send a picture?

[Avanti83]

Depends on how much you want to use the originals. At $360 for the calipers and about $200/ea for the rotors you are arriving at the point a Turner brake system could make sense. http://www.turnerbrake.com/carkits.html

Another choice is SBCA96, Tom is a forum member. He builds brackets to adapt a larger Mustang setup to Avanti's. Search under his forum name, this post should give you a start. http://www.aoai.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=345&hl=%2Bdisc+%2Bbrake+%2Bbracket

Both will give you a better setup than the originals and you'll be able to buy more modern parts from most Auto stores.

Bob

Edited July 21, 2015 by Avanti83

[mfg]

Bendix Dunlop wheel cylinder overhaul kits used to work well and were very inexpensive. The inside of the caliper piston housing must be corrosion free though.

I'm not sure if those kits (which are basically just the rubber seals) are still available. Why not call Dave Thibeault and ask him...He would definitely know! Tel # 978-897-3158.

[1972avantiisme]

Some Bendix wheel cylinder kits came with the car but I am afraid that the cylinders are pitted. I haven't got there yet but was wondering how one would hone them smooth if the are pitted.

A picture of the caliper showing cylinder/piston on each side attached.

Sorry, Unfortunately I was not able to send picture as the file was too big.

[WayneC]

Some Bendix wheel cylinder kits came with the car but I am afraid that the cylinders are pitted. I haven't got there yet but was wondering how one would hone them smooth if the are pitted.

A picture of the caliper showing cylinder/piston on each side attached.

Sorry, Unfortunately I was not able to send picture as the file was too big.

The single-piston systems in local parts stores are likely for later model Avanti's with Chevy chassis.

The solution you choose will depend on your mechanical skills, or the willingness of a local mechanic to do the work.

In my opinion honing is a job for a machine shop, and may or may not work, depending on the depth of the pits.

Pitted cylinders can be re-sleeved with brass or stainless, but sleeving is about as expensive as buying new cylinder assemblies (probably around $500 or more for 4 cylinders, plus shipping).

New wheel cylinders can be found (increasing in cost) in original, or a slightly larger diameter, or cast from stainless steel.

Lastly, as stated by Avanti83, you can convert to a system that uses more modern components (probably near $1k in parts)

http://www.applehydraulics.com/brakes.htm(call or email them for sleeving cost for the unusual Stude cylinders)

http://www.studebakerswest.net/product.sc?productId=562&categoryId=76

http://xks.com/i-7084309-gr-64932067-wheel-cylinder-2-1-8-new-assembly.html

http://www.studebaker-info.org/steeltechinstall.html(but I don't think Steeltech still exists)

http://www.turnerbrake.com/carkits.html

As stated by Bob, SBCA96 has a nice front-brake conversion alternative, assuming he still offers it... he sells front brake brackets he designed, and specifies the parts that you have to purchase over-the-counter (rotors, calipers, hoses, etc); there is some machining required on the Stude hubs.

[drat]

I have a pair of calipers for sale, they worked great when i took them off. It was my rotors that needed replacement so i went with the turner system.

[Avanti83]

Just for the record, the deluxe Turner Kit is $660 with $48 added for shipping. The economy kit is $240 plus $13 shipping and included the adapters and shipping with some other miscellaneous parts. Judicious shopping could keep the total cost in the $500 or so range.

Bob

[1972avantiisme]

Great information and very helpful to a newbie Avanti owner. I am currently out of town and will pursue these suggestions next week.

Thanks

Ted

Re; calipers for sale, I'll have to get mine apart to see what I have.

Thanks

[1972avantiisme]

Rebuilt calipers about a month ago. There was some pitting and I was able to remove that with a dremel grinder and a lot of hand sanding with 100 grit paper. Assembled with a rebuild kit and so far no leaks. Saved a bunch of money by doing it myself. Of course all rubber hoses had to be replaced to get fluid to all brakes.

Thanks for all the help.

Ted