Warning on CPP Big Brake Kit 2nd Gen

[ks71z28]

I recently installed this Rear Big Brake Kit on a customers car from CPP or Classic Performance parts. I was sold on it being a complete ready to bolt on kit with parking brake. Well the fun started there!
The kit showed with NO instructions. Being familiar with Camaros, I was able to bolt all up. Hard lines did not match and would be crushed by bump stop if not modified. The parking brake cables, were marked long and short, not left or right. The right side cable was 5" too short, which I modified and made work, but then the cable was too short, so an extension was made. I somehow got this thing bolted up, oh did i mention it uses calipers with Ford cast into them, and they are re-built units, not new, evident by the mismatched bleader sizes.
So about 2 weeks later the customer called and said rear caliper is leaking. I drove 3 hours to check out. Oh my God! The caliper is actually hitting the inner wheel tub on the driver side, evident by bent metal. The hose was nearly sawed in half!
I called CPP and they advised me that this has NEVER happened before, but said since the car is lower than stock this contributed to the issue. I explained the car hits the caliper long before the bump stop. They are sending out a "different" bracket to solve this issue that they claim has never happened before. Amazing they had a solution, I will advise if it works. Anyone want to buy a rear brake kit, it is slightly used!
Buyer beware on some of these poor quality manufacturers, i thought I would share my experience. in the meantime i have a pissed customer who wants his car fixed.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/1-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/4-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/2-1.jpg

[modular93fox]

just wondering... if you said one was tooo long and you trimmed it, and then you said ones too short so you had to make an extension... did you cut them when you should have just swapped them??

[MrQuick]

Kore3 or piece kits work the best.


Vince

[732ndgen]

I was in the same boat.wish I would have spent more and never would have had any probs.

[ks71z28]

just wondering... if you said one was tooo long and you trimmed it, and then you said ones too short so you had to make an extension... did you cut them when you should have just swapped them??
No, that wasn't it. But... the one labled "short" was longer than the one labled "long" watchout for Chinese knock-off kits and parts, they are made for profit, not performance, there is a difference!

[Taman]

That's why I buy American. I am in the tool and die industry and see how bad the bargin Chineese stuff is. It is amazing that they had a fix for a problem that doesn't exist.

[ks71z28]

That's why I buy American. I am in the tool and die industry and see how bad the bargin Chineese stuff is. It is amazing that they had a fix for a problem that doesn't exist.
Put the word out and keep buying American, it is the only hope for this nation, china owns our Azz, and we need to buy it back! I am a manufacturing Engineer in California, you know how little we manufacture in California these days!

[MrQuick]

problem it that its hard to know what is imported and what is not.
I guess find a vendor and stick with it.

I love factory GM stuff....even if it is foreign made.
vince

[ks71z28]

problem it that its hard to know what is imported and what is not.
I guess find a vendor and stick with it.

I love factory GM stuff....even if it is foreign made.
vince
Ask where it is made, and if it was made in the USA, they likely would let you know, I do!

[Steve1968LS2]

I've installed several CPP brake kits over the years.. never any problems with fitment.

As for the Ford calipers.. that's pretty common on rear brake calipers, heck, my strange and my Currie rearends both came with Ford rear disc brakes (I think off of an expidition).

As for the "rebuilt" guess, it might of been nice if you had asked them before putting that online.. since it really is a guess on your part. Then again, that's how the internet works.

Did you ever call them and ask for instructions? Maybe they didn't make it into the box, it's not like they don't HAVE instructions.

Anyways, I'm not doubting you had issues and in this hobby that does happen. It sounds like they did try to take care of your problems when you contacted them, didn't they?

I have a CPP big brake kit I'm supposed to help a friend install on his '67 El Camino in a week or so. I will report back if there are any problems.

[Steve1968LS2]

Put the word out and keep buying American, it is the only hope for this nation, china owns our Azz, and we need to buy it back! I am a manufacturing Engineer in California, you know how little we manufacture in California these days!

You know the biggest problem with operating ANY business in California is? Especially manufacturing or any businesses that use machines or God forbid chemicals?

The CA government.. they work off a punative system that makes it insanely expensive and difficult to operate in this state.

As for China/Tiawan/Korea ... I try to avoid those parts on my car, not necessarily because they are automatically bad, but because I would perfer American parts. And China owns our azz because our govt can't say no to spending.. not so much because of manufacturing.

[ks71z28]

I purchased these parts due to the large exposure in national magazines, like the one you work for Steve. I was not happy with their customer service, or their parts. I deal with lots of aftermarket companies, Cpp did not do their homework on this kit, and I have to pay a steep price for that, likely I will find a better solution with another part. Again maybe this is a case of 2nd gen camaro syndrome, where kits aren't given as much attention as their older brother!

[The WidowMaker]

maybe you got the wrong kit. did you show them a pic of the supplied bracket? any way one got mixed up? all of their directions are on their site, not that they shouldnt have been in the box though.

[732ndgen]

for me it took alot of calls to cpp and they fessed up that the 2nd gens differ in some cars and i sent my mesurments and they fixed the problem but what a pain in the ass

[TnBlkC230WZ]

I'd hate to list all the issues I had with my 4 wheel brake kit from CPP. Defective rotors, master cylinder and calipers. Incorrect hardware. missing parts and the issues kept comming. CPP replaced some of the parts and I purchased some, such as the master cylinder and bearing covers. The last straw was bleeding the rear brakes. Worked on that for a few months while assembling the car. CPP kept telling me I didn't know how to bleed brakes. They didn't care that I was bleeding brakes on old Chevys when they were new or that I've upgraded brakes on MBs and VWs. Turns out the mating surface where the hose attaches to the caliper wasn't perfectly flat. I had to grind the calipers down with a dremel.

Got to love "Made in China"

[ks71z28]

for me it took alot of calls to cpp and they fessed up that the 2nd gens differ in some cars and i sent my mesurments and they fixed the problem but what a pain in the ass

What was their fix, or better yet, what was YOUR issue. There are no instructions on the website to assist this kit in any way. I build cars and manufacture parts, so I do have some skills, but I have lost about 10 hours labor, and now I have to drive and trailer a customers car 6 hours to get it to my shop, and hope the "fix" CPP has come up with will remedy the issue.

When a company runs full page ads in every magazine, you tend to think they are on top of things. I realize that there are snags in the production of parts, but get you stuff worked out before putting parts on the market, and Pleeeeze don't make your customers feel like they are the problem, when you know very well there is an issue or potential issue with a product. my posting this was to point out to other 2nd gen owners or fab shops likemyself, that this kit has issues. I wouldn't have purchased it for my customers car if I had been warned prior. So I have put the warning out and I am through, I hope no one has been offended, BTW the tech guy had no interest in hearing about any type of changes or fixes to the kit, I am a Mechanical Engineer and would have been very willing to work with them to sort this out.

[The WidowMaker]

ive only dealt with them in person and its been fine, but ive heard many complaints about service over the phone. maybe they need to realize that all of the ad money does nothing when you have internet forums full of bad press.

[ZZ430]

ks71z28, sorry to hear about your problem.

Is it possible for you to fix the car on site instead of the long haul with a trailer?

I'm also in the business, and I've had to do just that myself.

[H2Ogbodies]

I've got issues with CPP on their suspension line of parts for GM A-body cars-they really do need to get a clue as to how parts should fit imo. I too know what I am doing and besides the cheasy grey finish, the control arms interfered with the backing plates and lower ball joints. A real pita getting it all resolved. My opinion is if they let crap like that go out, they are the last people I need to talk to in terms of making it right...I've been doing this for awhile and I have no time for crappy parts. I took care of it all myself. So yes, CPP is on my "Don't Buy" list.

[Cannon]

I havn't had any problems with parts from CPP yet (knock on wood). but everytime I order from them, everything has been on backorder!

[Taman]

I would say that was a problem.

[67RSSY1]

Well my story with these guys goes like this... Ordered $2500 worth of parts on April 19th, received May 3rd, steering box sent, had to return it and I'm still waiting for the box to come in. May 27th and counting.

Also I bought upper and lower control arms" Made in the USA" I was told, They had 2 rips in the control arm ball joint boots and I was missing some washers that go on the ball joint.

Talked to Danny and he is helpful but I have to keep on bugging him to get any progress.

Disappointed in the wait, my car is sitting on jack stands. Parts look nice for what its worth lol.

[ks71z28]

I did receive my new brackets, they likely won't work either, but they forgot to send the new brake hose that was half sawed through.


As for USA made control arms i doubt it, although poor assembly may be american made, we need to change our whole outlook on purchasing and cost. We need jobs here folks, sorry if assembling parts isn't glamourous, but hey if it pays the house payment and buys parts for the hotrod, do it. BTW I make and assemble parts all day, kinda rewarding!

[1BAGTO]

I have had problems with CPP also, pretty sure I won't be using them again. Sorry about your problems bud.

[PCHRODS]

We have installed several sets of CPP brakes on cars in the past, they are a great entry level brake swap for someone the wants to convert to disc brakes. CPP does a great job of taking all the guess work out finding and matching components for a easy to install brake conversion. But if you want some serious stopping power go with a baer kit!! If you are planning on racing it even at an entry level the brakes are the most important of your car build!!

[silver69camaro]

I would ask the customer if the housing has ever been shortened. Those integrated parking brake clipers have lots of overhang and need a longer housing to make sure they will clear everything.

Something to think about anyway.

[silver69camaro]

As for the Ford calipers.. that's pretty common on rear brake calipers, heck, my strange and my Currie rearends both came with Ford rear disc brakes (I think off of an expidition).


Back to integrated parking brake calipers, the Ford units are much better than the Cadillac ones...probably why the kit has them.

[H2Ogbodies]

CPP does NOT do a good job of matching parts....otherwise, how would they let a brake kit go out that has the lower a-arm ball joint pocket interfering with the stock backing plate which rubs into the back of the rotor? Not acceptable imo.