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| 1988 rear brake options (Page 1/2) |
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Dave Deerson
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MAR 08, 05:32 PM
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After diving in many old threads(nothing new since early 2024) about finding out of stock seal kit,pistons and NOS parts, what is the current state of affairs with regard to replacing/rebuilding the rear calipers on our 1988s? I have made a return to the Fiero scene(street car, at least) after a 20+ year hiatus, and want to start collecting the bits needed for my new project. I haven't yet had the chance to call TFS, but will this coming week, so what am I in store for? Are parts/whole calipers truly NLA for the rear of the '88?
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cartercarbaficionado
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MAR 08, 07:31 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Dave Deerson:
After diving in many old threads(nothing new since early 2024) about finding out of stock seal kit,pistons and NOS parts, what is the current state of affairs with regard to replacing/rebuilding the rear calipers on our 1988s? I have made a return to the Fiero scene(street car, at least) after a 20+ year hiatus, and want to start collecting the bits needed for my new project. I haven't yet had the chance to call TFS, but will this coming week, so what am I in store for? Are parts/whole calipers truly NLA for the rear of the '88?
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pretty much yeah. few places have rebuilt calipers so a brake upgrade is gonna be needed at some point.
its been a bear finding any oem fiero brake part for over a year
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Vintage-Nut
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MAR 09, 10:29 AM
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IF you have 'good' '88 rear cores and you'll purchase 'remanufactured' calipers or pay to get your cores rebuild; you won't have any problem.
IF you want to rebuild '88 calipers as a DIY project; yes - getting the calipers or the parts will take more effort...
------------------
Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles
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Dave Deerson
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MAR 09, 02:23 PM
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Vintage-Nut, are you inferring that a commercial brake re builder will have access to ALL new soft parts of a rear caliper? I ask because it seems that all recent related threads give the impression that: A. Commonly available rebuilt rear calipers are not addressing the elusive seal inside of the piston and just cleaning and replacing the readily available main piston and dust seals and B. That the supplies of internal piston seals and replacement pistons have completely dried up.
I left out that I am not a typical DIYer as I have been an Auto Tech for almost 40 years with my own shop, so operations such as blasting,vapor honing, and machining are routine. I am just looking for parts to rebuild my own,or find an outfit that can completely refurbish them, but if the best option moving forward will be to install interchangeable front calipers at the rear and then add some sort of spot caliper to act as a parking brake, then so be it.
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olejoedad
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MAR 09, 02:33 PM
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I run front calipers on all four corners on my Formula.
No need for the parking brake.
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Dave Deerson
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MAR 09, 02:44 PM
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A parking brake is a requirement for me.
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Vintage-Nut
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MAR 09, 08:50 PM
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| quote | Dave Deerson:
are you inferring that a commercial brake re builder will have access to ALL new soft parts of a rear caliper? |
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Not ALL, but I believe a 'good' remanufacturing business will have access to all the rubber parts.
| quote | | I left out that I am not a typical DIYer / I am just looking for parts to rebuild my own, or find an outfit that can completely refurbish them |
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I'm a DIY guy too, but I know when is better to pay a service. When I researched the '88 rear caliper rebuild, especially the piston actuator / parking mechanism, I sent them to a 'pro'.
*Yes, the internal piston actuator seal is not in any kit; however, I believe a PFF member posted a seal that will work.
*Yes, replacement rear piston assemblies aren't available; my research on PFF was that some members found ball bearing and washer parts to rebuild the assembly, and I believe a good remanufacturing business can rebuild them too. MANY members had reported problems from 'poor' remanufacturing businesses about the piston actuator 'guts'.
SO, I didn't even attempt the rear piston actuator / parking mechanism, and I sent my cores to Cambro that has been in the caliper business since 1976 through one of their authorized dealers because we cannot send them directly.
I'm happy with the results...
 [This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 03-10-2025).]
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Dave Deerson
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MAR 10, 09:48 AM
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Good to know, I'll look them up.
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richard in nc
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MAR 10, 05:03 PM
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fierobear
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MAR 10, 06:25 PM
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A Fiero friend said he used "calipers online . com" to rebuild his 88 calipers. He was happy with the results. I plan to use them as well.
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