Changing the brakes on your C3 corvette:

If you’re like me you enjoy getting your hands dirty working on your car and keeping it in shape with some love. Making sure you have good brake pads on your Corvette is one of the most important maintenance jobs you can do, and can be done in just a few hours by yourself.

Items Needed:
-A floor jack
-Jack stands
-Wheel wrench
-Large pliers
-A socket set and ratchet
-Light sand paper
-Small hammer

Step 1
Use your wheel lug wrench to loosen the lugnuts. This will be easier to do while the car is on the ground, because once it is lifted the wheel will spin as you try to loosen them. DO NOT REMOVE THE LUGNUTS

Step 2
Check your brake fluid level under the hood. If the level is very low it could mean more problems than just worn brake pads. Be sure to check this after installing the new pads as well.

Step 3
We are now ready to get to work. Jack your Corvette up and place your jack stands underneath it. Look for a safe flat metal area on the underside of the chassis where the jack stands will not slip or cause damage. Now remove the lugnuts on both front wheels and take the wheels off.

Step 4
There is a pin running through the top of the brake calipers that also runs through your brake pads to hold them at the right place on the rotors.  On the back side of that pin there should be a clip holding the pin in place.  Remove that clip and remove the pin running through the caliper.  If the brakes have not been serviced in a long time you may need to tap this pin out with a small hammer as the dirt and brake dust can get the pin stuck in place.  Be careful when removing this pin not to damage it unless you plan to replace it as well.  Once you have the pin out, it’s a good idea to lightly sand off any dirt and/or rust.

Step 5
Compress the pistons by pushing them into the caliper. This ensures that the new brake pads have room to clear the rotor. Slide the new brake pads into the caliper. Then replace the caliper pin and the pin on the back side of the caliper.

Step 6
Inspect your brake pads and calipers to make sure everything is in order and then put the wheels back on. Hand tighten the lug nuts then use a calibrated torque wrench to tighten them further. Once these are tight you can remove the jack stands and lower your Corvette. Check the brake fluid to see if it needs to be filled.

Step 7
Burn out of your driveway and hit the road for a cruise.

Check out some of our beautifully restored C3 Corvettes below

http://www.hobbycarcorvettes.net/corvette/1972-mille-miglia-red-corvette-t-top/
http://www.hobbycarcorvettes.net/corvette/1972-sunflower-yellow-corvette-lt1-convertible/
http://www.hobbycarcorvettes.net/corvette/1970-daytona-yellow-corvette-stingray-convertible-4spd-all-original/