Caliper pistons popped out while installing...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
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St. Jude Contributor
Caliper pistons popped out while installing...
Hey everyone, it's been awhile since I've posted. I'm knee deep in my front end and engine rebuild. And I have a question.
I was trying to fit the front right caliper over the rotor, and I went to push the brake pads in to provide clearance for the rotors. I had a lot of difficulty, one piston would go in, the other would push out. Then, two pistons popped right out of their bores, and brake fluid went everywhere.
What do I do? Can they simply be reinstalled? Is this a sign that new calipers are in order? Before this happened, my brakes were nice and firm, no leaks.
What do you all think?
Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
I was trying to fit the front right caliper over the rotor, and I went to push the brake pads in to provide clearance for the rotors. I had a lot of difficulty, one piston would go in, the other would push out. Then, two pistons popped right out of their bores, and brake fluid went everywhere.
What do I do? Can they simply be reinstalled? Is this a sign that new calipers are in order? Before this happened, my brakes were nice and firm, no leaks.
What do you all think?
Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
Been there...done that. I only had one come out on me and not very far but fluid did leak out a little. I got it back in without much effort, bled the caliper and my brakes are fine. I even use DOT 5 fluid and have manual brakes. My pedal is very firm. I am doing a front end rebuild right now and cut some pieces of wood to fit between the brake shoes to hold them it is working so far and I should be able to use the wood as a spacer when I go to reinstall the caliper on the rotor.
John
John
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From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
I think that if you would have opened the bleeder. The pistons would have slid right back in...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
DOH! Imagine me slapping myself, right now.
You are right. Open the bleeder, pads move in.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I'm at that point, right now, where I need all the help I can get. I want so badly for this car to be done, that I'm throwing money at simple things. You better believe I had my finger on the trigger of a new caliper purchase.
Thanks guys! :yesnod:
You are right. Open the bleeder, pads move in.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I'm at that point, right now, where I need all the help I can get. I want so badly for this car to be done, that I'm throwing money at simple things. You better believe I had my finger on the trigger of a new caliper purchase.
Thanks guys! :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (Desertdawg)
I think that if you would have opened the bleeder. The pistons would have slid right back in...
Brake fluid will eat paint faster than you can say "Ah schlitz!!"
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
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From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
I was about ready to send out a search party for ya. Sounds as though things are progressing well on your projects.
As far as the pistons go, you should be able to get them in with a little effort, just be sure not to bugger up the seals.
I'll be ready to drop my engine in this week, wanna help?
Let me re-phrase that, I need help.
Stew
As far as the pistons go, you should be able to get them in with a little effort, just be sure not to bugger up the seals.
I'll be ready to drop my engine in this week, wanna help?
Let me re-phrase that, I need help.
Stew
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
I bought a caliper piston retainer that slides over the caliper and holds the pistons in place then you install the caliper then it slides right off. Think I got if from ZIP or Mid American. Made it alot easier to work on them. It is just a formed piece of sheet metal but was worth the $10 or so I paid.
[Modified by Fevre, 7:37 AM 7/2/2002]
[Modified by Fevre, 7:37 AM 7/2/2002]
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: I can walk to MA
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (Fevre)
If memory serves me ...
The two important things to remember here are :
Keep everything CLEAN. If the piston and seal are dirty - take them
all the way out and clean well - and light compressed air. Carefully
wipe the bore clean - if needed
When working the piston back into the bore, the seal will need help.
Use a 10mil feeler guage to help (gently) shoe-horn the seal edge
into the bore. Be careful not to scratch the bore.
You may even consider (since it is basically apart) a new seal kit. If the bores aren't scored badly, the new seals will give your calipers a new
lease on life.
Why you listening to me ? :smash: My vette's in a gazillion pieces !! :seeya
The two important things to remember here are :
Keep everything CLEAN. If the piston and seal are dirty - take them
all the way out and clean well - and light compressed air. Carefully
wipe the bore clean - if needed
When working the piston back into the bore, the seal will need help.
Use a 10mil feeler guage to help (gently) shoe-horn the seal edge
into the bore. Be careful not to scratch the bore.
You may even consider (since it is basically apart) a new seal kit. If the bores aren't scored badly, the new seals will give your calipers a new
lease on life.
Why you listening to me ? :smash: My vette's in a gazillion pieces !! :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (BSeery)
Brake fluid will eat paint faster than you can say "Ah schlitz!!"
John
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
I usually open the bleeder(s) and then use a 4" spackling knife as a shim to hold the pistons out of the way and help ease the pads in.
Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention.
Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,179
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From: waller texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (LATNC3 (Rod R))
take a dull bladed screw driver and work the piston seals back into the bore.I just rebuilt my caliper and thats how i did it.have had no leaks since.you can get caliper rebuild kit for around 11 bucks i think i paid for kit.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Caliper pistons popped out while installing... (joeveto)
Thanks for all the replies.
Stew! You have mail. I can help you, if you still need it. I'm busy Wednesday, but I'm pretty free after that.
Stew! You have mail. I can help you, if you still need it. I'm busy Wednesday, but I'm pretty free after that.
