MK3 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I am trying to remove the pistons on a pair of MK3 Spit brake callipers that have never been used for about 10 years. I want to fit new seal kits. I have the callipers off the car and on the bench but there is no room to get a pair of grips in to grab hold of the pistons so I can twist them out.Should I connect them back to the brake line and use hydraulic pressure to try to force them out ? Or maybe a foot pump using air pressure ?They look very rusty but I think they sit just in a rubber seal within the calliper so although they look seized they should come out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I managed to get mine out by using a big screwdriver in the groove of the pistonBetter options would be as you suggested though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rui Guimaraes Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Hih pressure compressed air... Even when they look very rusty makes it an easy job!As soon as the first piston moves and wants to pop off hold it to with a clamp until the other moves too.Regards,RG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilfisken Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 When i couldnt get a pair of pistons out in a pair of old calipers due to lack of compressed air they finally came out when i hit them at the edges with a flat chisel aimed as much outwards as possible taking turn to hit it from all sides in an alternating fashion. It takes time but in the end they give up. Placing the caliper body in a vise helps a lot.Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 The easiest way is just to reconnectYou can then also use a lever to force the pistons back in ,which is an easy way of releasingOnce in be liberal with WD 40 then pump back out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepy Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Easy with compressed air, use one of the air line blower nozzle thingys, (cant think of the name) and place a small piece of rubber tube on the end, so you get a better seal to the caliper.Then place a piece of wood where the brake pads normally go, this will stop the piston shooting off, spraying brake fluid everywhere and possibly hurting yourself.When using this method, on calipers with more than one piston, it lets the piston come out, but not fully, (as the first piston to come out is always the loosest one) then you clamp that one so it can go no further, then proceed to remove the others! Job done! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepy Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Or if that's worrying you, or you don't have access to a compressor, then do it on the car.Connect back up to the system, and pump the foot pedal until it pushes out the piston, (but not fully, or you will have a big mess)Then place a bowl beneath the caliper, and remove it and the piston. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blubayou Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I got recon calipers from Canley.Very little more in terms of cost as your pistons will be shot.Look like new, work like new :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I have found an airline is just not enough to release sticky pistons. The pressure (140psi on mine) is inadequate, I reckon a brakeline produces nearer 1000psi, and seem to be far more effective. Even then I have had a few that just refuse to budge, even after all sorts of mad attempts :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Dunno about in Triumph land, but when I've done Landy callipers I've bought a couple of spare gallery seals and split the calliper to make it easier to get the pistons out/seals in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK3 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 6797 wrote:Dunno about in Triumph land, but when I've done Landy callipers I've bought a couple of spare gallery seals and split the calliper to make it easier to get the pistons out/seals in.I have to admit I had thought of doing that but every book says don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I tend to play it safe with things like brakes. Took a lot of advice before I did it - once I'd done it that way I never went back to mucking around trying to get seals and pistons to fit with the calliper in 1 piece.BUT always made sure I had spare gallery seals before splitting them.YMMV and all the usual disclaimers re: safety and brake systems apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paudman Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 4277 wrote:I have to admit I had thought of doing that but every book says don't do it.I was like that myself until a few months ago. I don't mess with brakes, but found out how to do it safely... ;D You can split the callipers, just replace the small seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkytph Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 mine were siezed solid i connected them to grease gun and they came straight out its amazing how much pressure you can get with a good grease gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drofgum Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 658 wrote:mine were siezed solid i connected them to grease gun and they came straight out its amazing how much pressure you can get with a good grease gunI agree, but expect to: A. Have a lot of work to get the grease out. B. replace the pistons. This may save the caliper bodies though. Cheers, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK3 Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 The brake system is in bits at the moment so I will temp bolt a calliper to the o/s bracket and couple it direct to the rebuilt master cylinder with a spare pipe and try to get the pistons out with hydraulic pressure.If that fails then I'll perhaps have to split the callipers.Has anyone got the part number / supplier of the calliper seals if I do have to split them ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilfisken Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I dont remember the exact part number but Canley Classics sell them, Im not sure they show up in the normal catalouge so mail or call and you should easily get them. Good luck! BTW, if you do a search for 'buckeye triumph brakes' google should get you a page showing caliper rebuild of a TR with lots of pics. Not exactlly the same calipers but almost and very informative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK3 Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 3182 wrote:BTW, if you do a search for 'buckeye triumph brakes' google should get you a page showing caliper rebuild of a TR with lots of pics. Not exactlly the same calipers but almost and very informative!http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/Brakes/Front/Front.htmfound it, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohamer Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I split my calipers when I rebuilt the brakes, not a problem. It actually makes it really easy to work on the calipers with them split. The little seals are not expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6 M Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 490 wrote:I was like that myself until a few months ago. I don't mess with brakes, but found out how to do it safely... ;D You can split the callipers, just replace the small seal.Ohhh, who was the culprit who changed yer mind then !!!! ;)Split em, there is nowt in there to brek. you can then get the piston edges in a vice,and twist em oot.go back n forth, also use some brake fluid as lube, its suprising how old rubber can get sticky.M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt6power Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I have used a stirrup pump from a friends air gun when 150 psi wasnt enough from the compressor. It was able to go to around 800 psi and the second piston came out with a pop at around 350 psi. Worked well and I would do this again if needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK3 Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 I got new piston seals and replaced the calliper seal between the two halves of the calliper. What torque setting should I use on the bolts that hold the 2 halves of the calliper together ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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