How To Remove Caliper Piston......
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
How To Remove Caliper Piston......
I am having my calipers powder coated and need to take them apart to do so. I have them in half and just need to remove the 4 pistons. This is on my 81. Around the outer bore of the caliper there looks to be a small brass ring. Then there is a rubber boot and in the middle there is a round piece of steel that pushes against the pads. I am not sure how to remove the pistons, I do not care if the boots get ruined because I plan on re-building the whole caliper when they are done. Thanks for any help in this matter.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The outer seals are not held in very tightly. You can use something like a small screwdriver to slide down between the piston and the seal and pry up gently under the outer portion of the seal. It should pop out easily without causing any damage.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
If you have the caliper halfs apart, the easiest way is to lay them on a block of wood and shoot some air into the brake line hole in the caliper half. Be sure you have the bleeder in and tight so there are no leaks. On the other half (with only a bleeder in it), use the bleeder opening. Laying them on a block of wood will restrict the cross caliper passage enough to let the air pop the piston out.
I would turn your air pressure down a bit and keep your hands away from the pistons because they will pop out (with the outer seal) with some force. If both pistons don't come out initially (one will definitely pop) stuff a rag into the now open bore and shoot some more air into the caliper and the other will pop out.
Just be careful because they will pop out with force.
Good luck... GUSTO
I would turn your air pressure down a bit and keep your hands away from the pistons because they will pop out (with the outer seal) with some force. If both pistons don't come out initially (one will definitely pop) stuff a rag into the now open bore and shoot some more air into the caliper and the other will pop out.
Just be careful because they will pop out with force.
Good luck... GUSTO
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Carolina raised but in Loveland CO for tha duration
I am having my calipers powder coated and need to take them apart to do so. I have them in half and just need to remove the 4 pistons. This is on my 81. Around the outer bore of the caliper there looks to be a small brass ring. Then there is a rubber boot and in the middle there is a round piece of steel that pushes against the pads. I am not sure how to remove the pistons, I do not care if the boots get ruined because I plan on re-building the whole caliper when they are done. Thanks for any help in this matter.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Just be careful when you use a screwdriver to get the outer seal out. Do not let the screwdriver score the piston bore. It could mean buying new calipers again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
When both halfs are assembled with pistons, join the two halfs together and insert the bolts. There is a small o-ring seal between the two caliper halfs that must be placed correctly before joining the two halfs. There is a cavity in one of the halfs that the o-ring sits in so it is not difficult to keep it in place while you join the two halfs.
I tighten the two bolts snugly, but wait until the caliper is mounted to make it easier to torque them tight.
Good luck... GUSTO
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Carolina raised but in Loveland CO for tha duration
For what it's worth, I upgraded to calipers sleeved with stainless steel 23 years ago and the bores still look new. Absolutely no pitting or corrosion. You may consider upgrading to o-ring pistons if you haven't done so.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
There really is no trick to it... Insure the seal is on the piston, (lip seal or o-ring) then place the outer seal (the one with the retainer attached) over the piston and slip the assembly into the piston cavity. If you are going to use the springs, be sure they are installed behind the piston correctly as you insert the piston into the bore. Then using a large socket (one that covers the metal retainer) and gently tap the retainer into the bore. Once the retainer is seated, just move to the next piston and repeat the procedure.
When both halfs are assembled with pistons, join the two halfs together and insert the bolts. There is a small o-ring seal between the two caliper halfs that must be placed correctly before joining the two halfs. There is a cavity in one of the halfs that the o-ring sits in so it is not difficult to keep it in place while you join the two halfs.
I tighten the two bolts snugly, but wait until the caliper is mounted to make it easier to torque them tight.
Good luck... GUSTO
When both halfs are assembled with pistons, join the two halfs together and insert the bolts. There is a small o-ring seal between the two caliper halfs that must be placed correctly before joining the two halfs. There is a cavity in one of the halfs that the o-ring sits in so it is not difficult to keep it in place while you join the two halfs.
I tighten the two bolts snugly, but wait until the caliper is mounted to make it easier to torque them tight.
Good luck... GUSTO
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I think this technique works with an O-ring seal but I disagree about just pushing the piston into the bore with a lip seal. I tried that with one of my pistons and the seal flipped inside-out. It goes into the bore but it is oriented the reverse of the way it should be. I found I had to use a piece of wood ( my wife had some cuticle pushers or some dang thing that had a softly pointed/flattened end) to gently push the edges of the seal into the bore (lubed with brake fluid) as I worked the piston in so that the seal maintained it's correct orientation. The next time I rebuild the calipers I'm going to use O-ring seals.
Rick B.
Rick B.
With a lip seal, I do get the seal wet with brake fluid as well as the inside of the bore. Then while inserting the piston, I gently twist the piston as I push it in. The twisting motion and wet bore have always worked to get them in without turning them inside out. The secret to success I believe is getting it started in the bore carefully and correctly.
Good luck... GUSTO
