Leaking Brake Calipers

[Fox213506]

I want to know something about the calipers on these cars. I took my calipers apart to change my brake pads. I put them back together and now they leak all over the place and have even ruined my wheels. I looked in the FSM and it said if i took the the Calipers apart i would need new ones. By taking them apart i mean i unscerwed the four bolts and took the side that said ''Nissan'' side completley off. Do i need to tighten the bolts more or is the FSM right? The bolts are tight enough and are near the point where they might brake if i tighten them more.

P.S. i still have my cooling problem in case anyone was bored you can look the tread up 'Hole in my coolant bottle" and help me out. Now it takes 1/4 gallon of coolant about every 3 days but seems to be no leaks.

[Milo (San Antonio)]

Sure the fluid isn't coming from the pistons on the inside of the caliber? That is a known place to leak fluid as the seals get old and break down and leak.

[Watermelonwarrior]

i did the same thing when i first got my car. im pretty sure you will need to buy new calipers. i bought mine for $60 each from auto zone or maybe it was oreillys.

[Fox213506]

I will pull them apart tonight and look at the pistons. Boy these cars demand attention.

[Zwicked]

Just a note for next time, you don't need to disassemble the calipers to change the brake pads.These are probably one of the easiest designs to change pads. If you aren't (but should) resurfacing or changing the rotors, you just need to pull the pins out and the pads come right out the top and drop new ones in.you will of course likely have to compress the pistons again so the thicker pads will fit, but it's that simple.If you need to remove the rotors to resurface or change them, the calipers still do not need to be disassembled.If you did disassemble the calipers and the pistons came out, you will likely now have to rebuild them to stop the leak as the seals are likely damaged and new ones may not seal against a worn surface.

[Fox213506]

Any write ups on how to rebuild them?

[Zwicked]

I haven't seen a tech writeup, but if you go to the brake section of the manual:

http://300zx-twinturbo.com/cgi-bin/manual.cgi

and read through it, it does show the disassembly procedure. You would need to buy a kit and hone the bores.Might be better off getting rebuilt calipers as then you won't have to worry about leaks and frustration, plus have warranty.

[Canyoncarver]

As stated, if you disassembled the two caliper halves, they need to be replaced. Some people have accidentally loosened the screws holding them together and managed to get them back together without leaking.

Your brakes aren't something that you want to have in any condition short of perfect.

[Fox213506]

Well this is going to be an expensive experience, thanks to everyone who replied, but i have to fix my temp gauge, cooling system, tires, muffler, steering first. The brakes have good stoping power and will try to buy rebuilt ones. Can i just buy the rebuid kit from Concept Z Performance?

[Canyoncarver]

Can i just buy the rebuid kit from Concept Z Performance?

No. The rebuild kit doesn't address the problem with the calipers having been dis-assembled.

[nsrZ32]

Your brakes aren't something that you want to have in any condition short of perfect.

Exactly.

To the original poster....you live and learn. Atleast now you'll have cool Z related paper weights

[Fox213506]

All right new brake calipers will be added to my parts list. Thanks for the help. i was trying to go with the cheap fix with the rebuild kit. Guess i will read the FSM befor i do dumb stuff like this.