SSBC Performance Brake Systems FAQ's

There are 2 type of calipers we use. One is called a fixed mount (right, top) and the other is a floating caliper (right, bottom). These caliper are used on many different type of cars. Most commonly, smaller calipers float, larger calipers are fixed. The larger calipers are commonly used with 12” - 14” rotor diameters. These rotor/calipers require 16” wheels or larger.

One Piece: This type of rotor is used for most applications. The original rotor was a cast 2 piece rotor. We now reproduce this rotor as a one piece “Unicast.” This rotor is better than the original and has improvements to handle more heat. We add slotting to improve rotor life. The slots sweep the pads clean, allowing the rotor to run cooler.

Two Piece: This type of rotor is used for special applications. The addition of an aluminum center section (hat), allows us to make limited or custom applications. This can be bolted on to rotor diameters as large as 15.” This same rotor “hat” is used in racing to reduce sprung weight.

Front brakes can only do so much. Most rear drums do very little for stopping power, which is usually why they last 2 - 3 times longer than the front pads. By adding rear disc brakes, you can add as much as 30% more brake force to your braking system.

Many muscle cars had upgraded rear axles as well as larger front spindles. This is due to engine size, suspension upgrades and even mid year model changes. All domestic models have at one time or another experienced this situation. Older vehicles, street rods and muscle cars also may be modified. This is why we offer over 400 different specific applications.

Many of the early muscle cars did not have power brakes. Power brakes were an option on 1967 and later models. Because of the increased valve overlap used in higher horsepower engines developed in many cars, there was not enough vacuum to run the boosters. Many of the restored muscle cars have the same problem. Manual disc brakes work fine. Boosters are designed to use less effort to stop. We offer many kits with manual or power disc brakes.

18” of vacuum is required to allow a booster to operate correctly!

When installing or replacing a master cylinder, it is critical that all air is removed from the master cylinder. This can easily be done by bench bleeding the master cylinder prior to installation. Using the SSBC master cylinder bleeder kit (#0460):

1. Place your master cylinder in a vise by the ears (not body). Make sure it is level.
2. Attach a piece of clear plastic hose to the short end of one of the plastic nozzles. Do the same to the other hose and nozzle.
3. Clip the plastic bridge to the wall and push the ends of the hose through the holes so they are SUBMERGED in the reservoir on either side of the wall.
4. Press the tapered end of the nozzle FIRMLY into the cylinder port hole with a twisting motion. Repeat this procedure on the other port hole.
5. Fill the reservoir with CLEAN brake fluid recommended by the manufacturer.
6. Using full strokes, push the piston in, then release. Do this until ALL the air bubbles have disappeared from the clear plastic hose.

(CAUTION-MASTER CYLINDER WILL NOT BLEED PROPERLY UNLESS HOSES ARE SUBMERGED IN BRAKE FLUID UNTIL THE BLEEDING PROCESS IS COMPLETED.)

Now mount master cylinder and avoid brake fluid leaking out of front and rear ports during installation.

When installing brake calipers, lines and hoses, how do I bleed the system?

Always bench bleed master cylinder first, then the system. There are four methods: gravity, pressure, vacuum, and pedal bleeding. The most common is pedal. This process is as follows:

1. Pedal bleeding is a 2 person job - one person pumps the pedal, and the other operates the valves. Open each bleeder valve individually, then depress the pedal one full stroke. The person watching the valves looks for air bubbles and closes the bleeder valve before the pedal is slowly returned to the released position. (NOTE: To assure that no air is siphoned into the system, a plastic hose should be connected to the valve. The other end of the hose should be submerged in container of brake fluid. Also, the valve must be closed at the end of each stroke before releasing the pedal.)
2. Continue in this manner until all calipers are bled.
3. After each caliper is bled, refill the master cylinder and frequently check the reservoir.
4. Bleed the longest line first, following this order: right-rear-outer, right-rear-inner, left-rear-outer, left-rear-inner, right-front and left-front.

Many of the early muscle cars did not have power brakes. Power brakes were an option on 1967 and later models. Because of the increased valve overlap used in higher horsepower engines developed in many cars, there was not enough vacuum to run the boosters. Many of the restored muscle cars have the same problem. Manual disc brakes work fine. Boosters are designed to use less effort to stop. We offer many kits with manual or power disc brakes.

18” of vacuum is required to allow a booster to operate correctly!

The best type of brake pad for any car will depend on both how the vehicle is being used and the type of vehicle itself. Using a full race type pad on your street car would be just as dangerous as trying to stop a race car with O.E. organic pads. Factors like vehicle weight, brake temperature, and how the vehicle will be used should be considered when choosing the proper brake pad. For this reason, Stainless Steel Brakes stocks multiple brake pad compounds for most popular cars and trucks.

1. In most cases, Air is trapped in the lines or calipers. Try re-bleeding the system. Do not force new fluid into new brake lines. It may foam and be very difficult to bleed. Make sure that the bleeder screws on the calipers are facing upward!
2. If all the air is out of the system, the pushrod from the booster may need adjustment, under the dash, to make it longer. Do not extend it too long or it will not allow the fluid to return, causing brakes to drag. Your pushrod may not be adjustable. If the pushrod can be made longer, try ¼ turn adjustments at a time. SSBC stocks adjustable pushrods for many vehicles. In addition, the pushrod between the Booster and the Master Cylinder may need adjustment. Not all Booster to Master pushrods are adjustable.
3. You may have a bad Master Cylinder. Before you determine this, you should make sure that all the air is out of the system. When installing a new Master Cylinder, always bench bleed first. If you did not, take off the Master Cylinder and bench bleed it. (See Bench Bleeding Instructions below)

The side that the car is pulling to is the caliper that is working. Re-bleed the opposite side and try carefully stopping again.

The Booster may not be getting enough vacuum to operate. On some high lift cams, the engine does not develop enough vacuum. The Booster needs at least 16” of vacuum to operate correctly at idle. If you do not have at least 16 inches of vacuum at idle, you may have to add a vacuum pump to your system.

Check for vacuum leaks. There may be leaks in the intake manifold or hoses that would cause low vacuum.

The Booster may be bad. Do a vacuum test. If the Booster can retain a vacuum for three minutes after the vehicle is shut off, it is not a bad Booster (refer to steps 1 & 2). All Master Cylinders must be bench bled in a vise before being installed on the vehicle.

When installing or replacing a master cylinder, it is critical that all air is removed from the master cylinder. This can easily be done by bench bleeding the master cylinder prior to installation. Using the SSBC master cylinder bleeder kit (#0460):

1. Place your master cylinder in a vise by the ears (not body). Make sure it is level.
2. Attach a piece of clear plastic hose to the short end of one of the plastic nozzles. Do the same to the other hose and nozzle.
3. Clip the plastic bridge to the wall and push the ends of the hose through the holes so they are SUBMERGED in the reservoir on either side of the wall.
4. Press the tapered end of the nozzle FIRMLY into the cylinder port hole with a twisting motion. Repeat this procedure on the other port hole.
5. Fill the reservoir with CLEAN brake fluid recommended by the manufacturer.
6. Using full strokes push the piston in, then release. Do this until ALL the air bubbles have disappeared from the clear plastic hose. (CAUTION-MASTER CYLINDER WILL NOT BLEED PROPERLY UNLESS HOSES ARE SUBMERGED IN BRAKE FLUID UNTIL THE BLEEDING PROCESS IS COMPLETED.)

Now mount master cylinder and avoid brake fluid leaking out of front and rear ports during installation.

Bleeding steps for Dual Port Master Cylinder

If you have a master cylinder with dual port holes (4 port holes - 2 on each side), it is necessary to bleed both port sides of the master cylinder. If both sides of the master cylinder are not bled, there will be air trapped in the master cylinder and your brakes will not function properly.

To bleed dual port master cylinders:

1. Follow steps 1 - 6 above on the side you will be hooking the brake lines to. Plug the other side.
2. Once the air bubbles are no longer visible in the plastic hose, open the bleeder screws in the supplied plugs and allow the mater cylinder to gravity bleed. DO NOT push the master cylinder piston in while the plugs are gravity bleeding.
3. When clear, steady streams of fluid are coming out of both bleeders, close and tighten the bleeders. Give the master cylinder piston several strokes, making sure there are still no bubbles present in the clear plastic tubes.
4. Remove the tubes and plastic fittings and mount the master cylinder on the vehicle being careful not to spill brake fluid on any painted surfaces.

Your choice of pads should be determined by how and where you drive the vehicle. If you drive in heavy stop and go traffic you would need a different pad than someone who is road racing. Contact SSBC for the correct application.

When brake fluid turns brown, it is time to change the fluid. The brown color indicates that the fluid has absorbed water and dirt. D.O.T. #3 & #4 fluids absorb water. Silicone brake fluid is not for track racing.

The front reservoir is usually larger than the rear. In some cases, they are the same size. As a rule, for GM cars & trucks, the rear reservoir is for the rear brakes. On Ford cars & trucks, the front reservoir is for the rear brakes. On front wheel drive vehicles, the brakes are split diagonally. Each bowl of the master cylinder services one front wheel and one rear wheel. This will be important if you are installing a distribution block, proportioning valve, or residual valve. Hint: The larger bowl will feed the disc brakes.

The best place to install a proportioning valve is after the distribution block. Do Not install it between the Distribution Bock and the Master Cylinder. You will not be able to get a hard pedal. Anywhere after the Distribution Block and before the rear flex hose is acceptable for installation.

Flex hoses should be replaced every time the calipers are serviced. They flex up and down, just like a shock absorber.

They are also under high pressure internally. Flex hoses have a rubber liner that will collapse over time. If it does collapse, it will act as a check valve and not allow fluid to return to the Master Cylinder.

No. When the flex hoses are replaced, re-bleed the brake system. Normally what happens is that bleeding causes a harder brake pedal. A better bleeding job and taking your time will result in the same situation.

Not likely. A soft pedal is usually a sign of air in the system due to poor bleeding. Flex hoses have nylon webbing that is molded into the internal rubber. It is very strong and will hold up to 3,000 P.S.I.

Most vehicles, power or non power brake, develop 1,200 P.S.I. When you panic stop or jump on the brakes hard, a surge of 1,400 P.S.I. can be achieved. If a factory proportioning valve installed on the vehicle, the rear brakes are only developing 600 – 700 P.S.I. Drum brakes require lower pressure because they grab more quickly. When rear disc brakes are installed, the rear brake pressure may be increased to 800 – 1,000 P.S.I. or more. A good way to check the pressures and to see if the system is working correctly, use a pressure gauge screwed into the bleeder port (SSBC part # A1704). A vehicle with less than 600 P.S.I will not stop!

The front bearings should always be torqued. Not just hand tightened. Bearings usually require 12-15 Ft./Lbs. of torque. Then you will probably need to back off a little to align the cotter pin hole. Do Not over tighten; the bearing life will be shortened. This procedure only applies to rear wheel drive vehicles with separate bearings and races. On vehicles with one piece sealed bearing assemblies or hub assemblies, refer to a service manual.

If you have positraction, use a Hypoid or Limited Slip additive that is designed for your particular rear end. If you do not have positraction, any type of 80 –90 weight gear lube is acceptable. Fluid should be changed often if you are trailering or any type of extreme usage. This fluid does brake down with time and usage.

1. Spindle Properly secured to ball joints and tie rods with castle nut and cotter pin.
2. All mounting bolts properly tightened.
3. Wheel bearings properly packed with grease.
4. Inner bearing must be installed before grease seal.
5. Rotor / bearings slide onto spindle with ease.
6. Washer, castle nut properly torqued and cotter pin installed.
7. Calipers installed and properly torqued.
8. Spin rotor and check for any interference. (If any interference is found, resolve problem before driving vehicle.)
9. Flex lines are properly installed with no interference.
10. Power booster (if applicable) installed properly.
11. Master cylinder bench bled according to the instructions.
12. All brake lines are properly tightened and free of leaks.
13. Turn wheels lock to lock and check for any interference.
14. Place wheel onto vehicle and spin the wheel to make sure there is no interference between the brakes and wheel.

1. All bolts on base bracket properly tightened.
2. All caliper mounting bolts properly tightened.
3. Rotor slides onto axle with ease.
4. No interference with rotor and any other parts (splash shield, brackets, etc.).
5. Caliper is centered over the rotor (because of difference in axle lengths, you may have to shim caliper in or out).
6. No interference with caliper and rotor.
7. All brake lines are tight with no leaks.
8. Parking brake is properly adjusted and not dragging, with vehicle on ground.
9. Adjustable proportioning valve installed (if applicable).
10. Distribution block modification made (if applicable).
11. Brake system properly bled.

WITH EVERY NEW SET OF ROTORS AND PADS, YOU SHOULD GIVE YOUR VEHICLE 200 - 250 MILES OF EASY DRIVING TO PROPERLY SEAT THE PADS TO THE ROTORS. DO NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE UP TO 60 MPH AND JAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE THE FIRST 200 - 250 MILE BREAK IN PERIOD IS OVER, OR YOU WILL GLAZE THE PADS AND ROTORS.

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We have an extensive network of dealers stretching across the United States and into Canada, ranging from large mail order catalog companies to your favorite speed shop in your town. Feel free to search our site to find the part number(s) you are interested in and then contact the store of your choice to order.

(If your store of choice does not carry our products, ask them to contact us about becoming a dealer - we can usually get their account set up that day and process your order with minimal delay.)

SSBC has an extensive network of trusted online dealers, please click here to purchase your SSBC products from one of our online dealers. If you cannot find an item that SSBC manufactures from one of our dealers please let us know by calling 800-448-7722 or you can email us at info@ssbrakes.com.

You can also buy directly from us over the phone by calling 800-448-7722. Our business hours are 8:30AM - 5:30PM EST Monday - Friday or on our website 24hrs a day. You can also send us an email by clicking on the Contact Us link, making sure to include your contact and vehicle information and we will then contact you to complete your order. Also, our fax line is available 24 hours a day at 716-759-8688. We accept all major credit cards and ship via UPS.

In many cases, it may be beneficial for you to order from your local dealer. You can search an SSBC dealer near you by clicking here. Many dealers stock our products and may have the parts you want readily available, allowing you to get your order quicker. Besides saving shipping time, ordering from your local dealer may also reduce your shipping costs.

Thank you for choosing SSBC Performance Brake Systems!

NEED TO RETURN A PART?

Please follow these instructions for a seamless return.

* Did you call our Technical Assistance (716-759-8666) before you decided to make a return? If not, you should do so now.

* You must have a Return Goods Authorization Number (RGA) issued to you prior to returning any item. If you return without an RGA #, you run the risk of not receiving credit.

* Make sure to include the completed Return Form with invoice and RGA # with your parts.

* Whenever possible, please return item in original box with invoice and RGA # clearly marked on the outside of the box.

* Any return must be shipped postage paid - NO collect shipments will be accepted.

* All returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee.

* All warranty items will be sent ground UPS. Any other type of shipping service will be at customer’s expense.

It is a good idea to insure the returned part(s) for the full value to protect yourself against loss. We strongly suggest you ship by UPS or U.S. Mail, no BUS or AIR shipments will be accepted. All foreign returns must have authorization.

NOTE: Under no circumstance should any product(s) or part(s) be returned without prior authorization number (RGA #). Any part which, in our opinion, shows evidence of being used, installed contrary to SSBC instruction, defaced, subjected to improper handling, packaging or shipping by the customer will not be eligible for exchange, refund or warranty consideration.

1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation (SSBC) warrants to the original purchaser that all products of our manufacture are free from defects in workmanship and material under normal use, driving conditions and service for the period of one (1) year, except stainless steel parts which are warranted against corrosion for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle. SSBC parts used in race applications - such as rotors and brake pads - and improperly installed components are not warranted. Components which are purchased from other suppliers and resold by SSBC shall conform to the Warranty policy of that supplier.

Our obligation under this Warranty is limited to making good at our factory any part which shall be returned to us, freight prepaid, and which our examination shall disclose to our satisfaction to have been defective when shipped, our obligation being limited to the repair or exchange of any part or parts which may thus prove defective. Our Warranty does not cover any costs for installation, re-installation, or removal of any warranted product. A return authorization number and a copy of the original invoice are required prior to returning merchandise. Unauthorized return voids the Warranty. All returns are subject to a 20% restocking charge. We assume no liability for incidental or consequential damages including the cost of diagnosis, cost of replacement parts or installation labor, loss of vehicle use, loss of time, inconvenience or any other expenses.

The foregoing Warranty is exclusive and is in lieu of all other warranties (whether written, oral or implied) including Warranty of merchantability in other respects than expressly set forth above and Warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and of all other obligations or liabilities on our part. We neither assume nor authorize any other person or entity to assume for us any other liability in connection with the sale of our products. This Warranty shall not apply to our products or any part thereof which have been subject to accident, negligence, alteration, abuse, misuse or dis-assembly. We make no Warranty whatsoever in respect to accessories, labor or parts not supplied by us. The term “Original Purchaser” as used in this Warranty shall be deemed to mean that customer to whom the product was originally sold. There are no warranties which extend beyond the face of the product hereof.

Click on this link to register your product today! Warranty Registration.

1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation (SSBC) warrants to the original purchaser that all products of our manufacture are free from defects in workmanship and material under normal use, driving conditions and service for the period of one (1) year, except stainless steel parts which are warranted against corrosion for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle. SSBC parts used in race applications - such as rotors and brake pads - and improperly installed components are not warranted. Components which are purchased from other suppliers and resold by SSBC shall conform to the Warranty policy of that supplier.

Our obligation under this Warranty is limited to making good at our factory any part which shall be returned to us, freight prepaid, and which our examination shall disclose to our satisfaction to have been defective when shipped, our obligation being limited to the repair or exchange of any part or parts which may thus prove defective. Our Warranty does not cover any costs for installation, re-installation, or removal of any warranted product. A return authorization number and a copy of the original invoice are required prior to returning merchandise. Unauthorized return voids the Warranty. All returns are subject to a 20% restocking charge. We assume no liability for incidental or consequential damages including the cost of diagnosis, cost of replacement parts or installation labor, loss of vehicle use, loss of time, inconvenience or any other expenses.

The foregoing Warranty is exclusive and is in lieu of all other warranties (whether written, oral or implied) including Warranty of merchantability in other respects than expressly set forth above and Warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and of all other obligations or liabilities on our part. We neither assume nor authorize any other person or entity to assume for us any other liability in connection with the sale of our products. This Warranty shall not apply to our products or any part thereof which have been subject to accident, negligence, alteration, abuse, misuse or dis-assembly. We make no Warranty whatsoever in respect to accessories, labor or parts not supplied by us. The term “Original Purchaser” as used in this Warranty shall be deemed to mean that customer to whom the product was originally sold. There are no warranties which extend beyond the face of the product hereof.