Wilwood Rear Caliper Leak

[Papa]

I have brake fluid leaking from my driver's side rear caliper. It's a Wilwood solid axle style ordered with my kit. Does anyone know if this can be easily rebuilt or if I need to send it back to Wilwood? I've verified the leak is not coming from the banjo bolt or the bleeder screw, but from the piston area.

Dave

[rich grsc]

I think a call to Wilwood, could give you the answer.

[Papa]

I think a call to Wilwood, could give you the answer.

Of course that would be the obvious answer, but I'd still like any first-hand experience from others if anyone has any to offer.

[CaptB]

I had weeping leaks when I first set everything up, tightened the fittings a little and that worked. Sounds like you had working brakes and they started to leak though.

Good luck.

[Papa]

Yep. Noticed fluid on the inner wheel. Cleaned the caliper and bracket and checked a day later to find fluid on the bracket. The banjo and bleeder are dry.

As Rich suggested, I called Willwood and this must be repaired in-house by them. So, I get to remove the caliper and send it in. Should be around two weeks once they receive it to have it on its way back to me. They charge $40 + parts and return shipping.

[ggunter]

I noticed my rear calipers are just seeping a bit around the pistons. I'll take a pic and send it to Wilwood and see if they want to do anything with them.

[Blitzboy54]

Yep. Noticed fluid on the inner wheel. Cleaned the caliper and bracket and checked a day later to find fluid on the bracket. The banjo and bleeder are dry.

As Rich suggested, I called Willwood and this must be repaired in-house by them. So, I get to remove the caliper and send it in. Should be around two weeks once they receive it to have it on its way back to me. They charge $40 + parts and return shipping.

They should be paying you. Under no circumstances should a caliper fail that early. Especially one as expensive as that one. I have multiple cars that are 100k plus miles on the original calipers that have never leaked.

[Papa]

They should be paying you. Under no circumstances should a caliper fail that early. Especially one as expensive as that one. I have multiple cars that are 100k plus miles on the original calipers that have never leaked.

I feel the same way, but Wilwood doesn't provide any warranty on their parts. I assume that is because they assume that the parts will be used in racing or high-performance applications.

[Avalanche325]

Welcome to the world of race car parts.

Not much warranty. And don't expect much to last 100,000 miles either.

[RFracer]

I have brake fluid leaking from my driver's side rear caliper. It's a Wilwood solid axle style ordered with my kit. Does anyone know if this can be easily rebuilt or if I need to send it back to Wilwood? I've verified the leak is not coming from the banjo bolt or the bleeder screw, but from the piston area.

Dave

Dave,
I raced cars with Wilwood calipers for years. Likely the o-ring wasn’t seated in assembly. Unless the calipers are corroded it’s an easy rebuild. As others have mentioned check hoses and fitting first. Pop the piston out, place the o-ring in the caliper groove and push the piston back in. It’s a little messy but easy. A complete o-ring kit costs less then $15 dollars. Check out the link below.

https://www.wilwood.com/pdf/howtostories/Caliper_Rebuild.pdf

Rich

[Papa]

Rich,

The caliper that is leaking is a CPB style that they don't offer a rebuild kit for, I asked. I will let them rebuild it.

[RFracer]

Rich,

The caliper that is leaking is a CPB style that they don't offer a rebuild kit for, I asked. I will let them rebuild it.

Sorry to hear it. Didn’t understand that from your original post. I’ve got an older style separate e-brake set up. Hope they can turn it around for you promptly.