Cracked brake caliper piston

evanescent03 · 06-03-2016, 02:58 PM

So some of you may have seen where I installed my pads wrong and destroyed a rotor. Turns out one of the pistons is cracked.

What does this mean as far as braking power/safety? Seems like it could last like this for a while under compressive strength. I intend to fix it but cant do it anytime soon... definitely not before my event at Thunderhill tomorrow. If that's the case may be I should just wait to see what the 1LE will have so I can upgrade to that?

Anyone with real knowledge on these who can lend advice?

Thank you!

Matt

PolynesianPowerhouse · 06-03-2016, 05:45 PM

Is the edge cracked or the face?

Not sure how demanding Thunder hill is on these cars, but it's prob more than an autox event.

Depending on where and how bad the piston is cracked, a total failure from the crack could cause fluid leakage on a brake failure level.

When I upgraded the pistons on my w6a'S to the thermal coated pistons, taking apart the 6 piston caliper enabled me to see how it all worked.

Like said depending on location of the crack, you may or may not wanna push it too much.

possibly_burrito · 06-03-2016, 06:09 PM

Post pictures.

Your enemy in this situation is heat, not the pressure by itself. When piston will heat up, the crack will expand.

evanescent03 · 06-03-2016, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolynesianPowerhouse

Is the edge cracked or the face?

Not sure how demanding Thunder hill is on these cars, but it's prob more than an autox event.

Depending on where and how bad the piston is cracked, a total failure from the crack could cause fluid leakage on a brake failure level.

When I upgraded the pistons on my w6a'S to the thermal coated pistons, taking apart the 6 piston caliper enabled me to see how it all worked.

Like said depending on location of the crack, you may or may not wanna push it too much.

140+ mph zone plus others at 100 spots... more speed is good for air cooling but I think most tracks take a larger toll on brakes than most autox... but each are definitely abusive.

It seems like I will be taking a risk if I went out like this... It seems like in some scenarios it would last a long time butt would be pretty upset with myself if I had a catastrophic failure and destroy the car even with insurance...

Thanks for the input... disassembling the caliper was a good experience for you!! Nice! I wish I had time to dig into it but I don't right now

Quote:

Originally Posted by possibly_burrito

Post pictures.

Your enemy in this situation is heat, not the pressure by itself. When piston will heat up, the crack will expand.

No photos unfortunately ... tech said the crack was small now but I definitely put a strain on these things so I don't want to push it. I read about a guy who had one split and drain all his fluid (SRT 10 ram) ... luckily it was before he left the parking lot but knowing that's a possibility. . No thanks.

I appreciate the input!

TRACK DAY CANCELLED FOR TOMORROW :( there will be a next time!

possibly_burrito · 06-04-2016, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanescent03

TRACK DAY CANCELLED FOR TOMORROW :( there will be a next time!

Maybe that's for the better?

PolynesianPowerhouse · 06-04-2016, 08:05 AM

Yea, this post had me thinkin all night.

It's like bitter sweet that you have to cancel it, but at the same time, safety first.

Similar to the Dodge ramSRT issue, I've seen a piston seal failure at summit point raceway locally, and it's basically the same outcome as if someone cuts that corners brake lines.

Been following your posts and vids on various tracks including my fave in the US, laguna... and it would suck to see any dmg to the car over a failed part.

It's sucks to make the call, but good call in my view.

And def working with a disassembly on calipers, it's a whole new world of learning with piston options, sizes and thicknesses.

evanescent03 · 06-05-2016, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolynesianPowerhouse

Yea, this post had me thinkin all night.

It's like bitter sweet that you have to cancel it, but at the same time, safety first.

Similar to the Dodge ramSRT issue, I've seen a piston seal failure at summit point raceway locally, and it's basically the same outcome as if someone cuts that corners brake lines.

Been following your posts and vids on various tracks including my fave in the US, laguna... and it would suck to see any dmg to the car over a failed part.

It's sucks to make the call, but good call in my view.

And def working with a disassembly on calipers, it's a whole new world of learning with piston options, sizes and thicknesses.

yeah - I was really hoping some expert would chime in and say "dude, no worries, if it explodes you'll only lose a little braking power, the car may pull slightly to that side but it won't be catastrophic."

I got no such answer. Learning that I could dump the fluid if the piston splits completely made it a no-brainer for me. not worth the risk at all. I wasn't sure how they were sealed from the inside, if at all.

I wish I could've gotten to Thunderhill but not yet. it'll be a while before I get the chance to get back on track since i'm starting a pretty intense training program tomorrow. i'm hopin that i'll be able to do a Saturday at Laguna, Sonoma or Thunderhill once in a while. My forum involvement will probably also fall off pretty sharply but I may lurk a little. Hopefully you've been entertained following some of my videos!

I lost a track day but happy to know I didn't take unnecessary risk .. I've got a family so, like I said, no brainer once I realized I could open the system up.

thanks for the input!

fighting irish · 06-06-2016, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanescent03

If that's the case may be I should just wait to see what the 1LE will have so I can upgrade to that.
Matt

The 1LE will have the upgraded 6 piston brake kit which is already available. It is a bit pricey, but should help with brake fade vs stock.

http://www.shopchevyparts.com/perfor...-92286463.html

mbar · 06-06-2016, 09:48 AM

Glad you did the right thing with cancelling your event.
You might want to play it "dumb" and get the dealer repair the problem under warranty. Pads and rotors should not be covered, but the piston might be...

irmb · 06-06-2016, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanescent03

yeah - I was really hoping some expert would chime in and say "dude, no worries, if it explodes you'll only lose a little braking power, the car may pull slightly to that side but it won't be catastrophic."

I got no such answer. Learning that I could dump the fluid if the piston splits completely made it a no-brainer for me. not worth the risk at all. I wasn't sure how they were sealed from the inside, if at all.

I wish I could've gotten to Thunderhill but not yet. it'll be a while before I get the chance to get back on track since i'm starting a pretty intense training program tomorrow. i'm hopin that i'll be able to do a Saturday at Laguna, Sonoma or Thunderhill once in a while. My forum involvement will probably also fall off pretty sharply but I may lurk a little. Hopefully you've been entertained following some of my videos!

I lost a track day but happy to know I didn't take unnecessary risk .. I've got a family so, like I said, no brainer once I realized I could open the system up.

thanks for the input!

You made the right call.

That said - a cracked piston won't blow apart or blow fluid. It can leak fluid - but based on it being surrounded on all sides - it aint going to totally self destruct.

I'd say if you were limping home on the highway - prolly ok. HPDE events require way too much braking - plus any fluid on the track puts others at risk as well.

06-03-2016, 02:58 PM	#1
evanescent03 Drives: '19 SS 1LE/'19 Rubicon/'20 AT4 Join Date: May 2015 Location: USA Posts: 505	Cracked brake caliper piston So some of you may have seen where I installed my pads wrong and destroyed a rotor. Turns out one of the pistons is cracked. What does this mean as far as braking power/safety? Seems like it could last like this for a while under compressive strength. I intend to fix it but cant do it anytime soon... definitely not before my event at Thunderhill tomorrow. If that's the case may be I should just wait to see what the 1LE will have so I can upgrade to that? Anyone with real knowledge on these who can lend advice? Thank you! Matt

06-03-2016, 05:45 PM	#2
PolynesianPowerhouse Big Samoan ina little car Drives: 2016 camaro Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tofiga Island Posts: 1,872	Is the edge cracked or the face? Not sure how demanding Thunder hill is on these cars, but it's prob more than an autox event. Depending on where and how bad the piston is cracked, a total failure from the crack could cause fluid leakage on a brake failure level. When I upgraded the pistons on my w6a'S to the thermal coated pistons, taking apart the 6 piston caliper enabled me to see how it all worked. Like said depending on location of the crack, you may or may not wanna push it too much. __________________ Don't sit around and watch everyone else live YOUR dreams...DO SUMPT'N When I see posts asking "whats the best intake, exhaust, etc" .... the answer to that is like a grandfather telling his grandkids "if you put salt on a birds tail, it'll let you catch it" #ThinkAboutIt "Winning Tip: Don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it. GO TEST IT!" - Dennis Grant

06-04-2016, 08:05 AM	#6
PolynesianPowerhouse Big Samoan ina little car Drives: 2016 camaro Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tofiga Island Posts: 1,872	Yea, this post had me thinkin all night. It's like bitter sweet that you have to cancel it, but at the same time, safety first. Similar to the Dodge ramSRT issue, I've seen a piston seal failure at summit point raceway locally, and it's basically the same outcome as if someone cuts that corners brake lines. Been following your posts and vids on various tracks including my fave in the US, laguna... and it would suck to see any dmg to the car over a failed part. It's sucks to make the call, but good call in my view. And def working with a disassembly on calipers, it's a whole new world of learning with piston options, sizes and thicknesses. __________________ Don't sit around and watch everyone else live YOUR dreams...DO SUMPT'N When I see posts asking "whats the best intake, exhaust, etc" .... the answer to that is like a grandfather telling his grandkids "if you put salt on a birds tail, it'll let you catch it" #ThinkAboutIt "Winning Tip: Don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it. GO TEST IT!" - Dennis Grant

06-06-2016, 09:48 AM	#9
mbar Drives: 2016 1SS Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: DC Posts: 927	Glad you did the right thing with cancelling your event. You might want to play it "dumb" and get the dealer repair the problem under warranty. Pads and rotors should not be covered, but the piston might be... __________________ 1SS, Black, Black Wheels, A8, MRC, NPP

06-03-2016, 06:09 PM	#3
possibly_burrito Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: May 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 27	Post pictures. Your enemy in this situation is heat, not the pressure by itself. When piston will heat up, the crack will expand.

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