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Brake calipers
dirty130 - 22/1/06 at 08:31 PM

Hi I have a little question about brake calipers how the hell do u get the seals back in? Its only the dust seal and where could i buy new ones from? I was thinking of using a compressor to remove the piston but i don;t really want to remove the piston. any help? thanks

stevec - 22/1/06 at 08:36 PM

I think the piston has to out to get the dust seal in,

Johnmor - 22/1/06 at 08:43 PM

Beware when you remove the piston with a compressor, even 20lbs of pressure will crush youre finger if they get in the way.
Put something beween the caliper arms(wood) to stop the piston coming right out suddenly.

The dust seal can usualy be replaced without taking the piston out completely, use brake fluid to lubricate it.

cryoman1965 - 22/1/06 at 08:48 PM

Adapt a grease gun to fit or use an air compressor. Replace oil seal while its out.

I purchased my kits from Totton Motor Factors 023 80863631. Cost about £20 for Dust covers and oil seals. Possible cheaper else where.

When refitting a little bit of patience and a vice will make the job easier. Take note on johnmors point of safety.

[Edited on 22/1/06 by cryoman1965]

mark chandler - 22/1/06 at 10:07 PM

Getting the dust seals back in tends to be tricky, nigh impossible wit the the caliper bolted together.

I split the calipers (watch you do not lose the small 'o' ring) then use a big socket as a drift to get the dust seal in squarely. You will only get one attempt at this. If you have a piller drill you can use this as a press.

Regards Mark

britishtrident - 23/1/06 at 07:30 AM

Don't put a gease gun or air compressor near it --- the former even the slightet trace of mineral oil ruins seals and and the latter because compressed air is dangerous too much stored energy.

Pump te piston out using the brake pedal then clamp the pipe.

jeeby_man - 23/1/06 at 07:30 AM

i used an airline at work to 'pop' the pistons out very carefully,then split the calipers to inspect/change the seals
cheers
ian

britishtrident - 23/1/06 at 07:31 AM

Also you don't need to split the caliper.

britishtrident - 23/1/06 at 07:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jeeby_man
i used an airline at work to 'pop' the pistons out very carefully,then split the calipers to inspect/change the seals
cheers
ian


This is very dangerous --- because air is compressable compressed air is stored energy. Always use hydraulic pressure.

DaveFJ - 23/1/06 at 08:54 AM

popped mine out with a footpump - no problems

mackei23b - 23/1/06 at 10:13 AM

Hi there

I used a compressor for mine, along with a piece of wood as previously suggested.

I got brake seals and new pistons from:

http://www.biggred.co.uk

They were vert helpful and a good price!

Cheers

Ian

dirty130 - 23/1/06 at 07:45 PM

thanks alot some great ideas il try a foot pump first. im still building the car and to get the brake lines and pedals in will take ages. I think taking heed of saftey side of it will be a good idea for me. The pic is in october not much has changed since then Rescued attachment DSCF0051.JPG
Rescued attachment DSCF0051.JPG

dirty130 - 23/1/06 at 07:47 PM

infact a lot has changed since then i thought it was a different picture. The engine is now in and the im now working on some sheeting becuase i got board with the calipers then uni got in the way of things

NS Dev - 23/1/06 at 07:55 PM

Good to see another new car coming along!!

Good luck with the build and uni work!!

blueshift - 23/1/06 at 11:03 PM

Beware of splitting M16 calipers. there are issues with reuse of the bolts, and the difficulty of sourcing replacement bolts that was enough to make me decide to trade mine in for professionaly rebuilt ones. all discussed in the archives.