caliper piston removal

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Jul 4, 2006 | 02:02 PM

Lucky68

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 38

Likes: 0

From: MA

caliper piston removal

Hey,

I have my caliper off, and the halves are split. I want to take off the boot, how do i do this without ruining it? It seems like it is melted on the the insert that is in the caliper. do i just rip it off to get the piston out?

thanks

Jul 4, 2006 | 02:07 PM

Duke94

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 6,640

Likes: 287

From: Ann Arbor Michigan

The boot has a metal ring overmolded around it. It then gets pressed into the caliper housing. Almost impossible to get them out w/o damage. They should be replaced anyway.

Jul 4, 2006 | 02:11 PM

GaryS

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 1999

Posts: 2,897

Likes: 0

From: Moon Township PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky68

Typically, you can't remove the piston without damaging the boot. I always replace the seals, both the boot and the inner "doughnut" seal, every time I open a caliper up. You may have to order the kit from your local auto place or your favorite Corvette catalog.

Often, the piston won't come out of the caliper half without a fight. The trick is to use air pressure from a compressor to blow it out. CAUTION HERE! Use low pressure because anything too high and the piston will come out like a shotgun slug. Put a rag over the piston and hold it on with your free hand, put your rubber nipple from the air hose gun nozzle into the bleeder and give a quick, short burst of air. Again, use very low pressure. You can always increase the pressure in small increments until it comes out. Don't ask how I know about this.

Gary

Last edited by GaryS; Jul 4, 2006 at 02:24 PM.

Jul 4, 2006 | 02:13 PM

Hammerhead Fred

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,094

Likes: 298

From: Midlothian VA

They can be gently pried out intact with a flat head screwdriver.
Simply pry from below the ring and work your way around.
They are cheap and easy to replaced so reusing them, while possible, is not recommended.

Jul 4, 2006 | 02:37 PM

Lucky68

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 38

Likes: 0

From: MA

thank you, i can't get the ring from the OD even with a tiny screwdriver tip, it is too tight. I guess I will just tear the boot and possibly get the ring out from the ID if i can.

Thanks, i'll get it out somehow...

Jul 4, 2006 | 05:55 PM

redvetracr

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 18,126

Likes: 174

From: WI

push the piston down, then use a medium size screwdriver under the metal lip of the boot, twist the screwdriver and it should pop....and as posted above DO NOT REUSE the boot or the lip seal.
...redvetracr

Jul 4, 2006 | 07:10 PM

cmac72

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 193

Likes: 0

For under $10 you can pick up a seal puller from Autozone - works much easier than a screwdriver and can be used to pull other seals around the car. I agree - replace all the rubber parts inside once you pull the pistons.

Jul 4, 2006 | 07:31 PM

JBB

Instructor

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 202

Likes: 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

Often, the piston won't come out of the caliper half without a fight. The trick is to use air pressure from a compressor to blow it out. CAUTION HERE! Use low pressure because anything too high and the piston will come out like a shotgun slug. Put a rag over the piston and hold it on with your free hand, put your rubber nipple from the air hose gun nozzle into the bleeder and give a quick, short burst of air. Again, use very low pressure. You can always increase the pressure in small increments until it comes out. Don't ask how I know about this.

Gary

I would just add that a piece of 2x4, inserted in the caliper (in place of the brake pads) catches the piston(s) nicely when they fly out.