Brake Calipers: How do you remove the pistons?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by Phil97SVT
I usually put a small piece of 2x4 between the pistons / caliper and apply compressed air. They pop out.
Don't get your fingers in between the piston and the other side of the caliper. The pistons come out with a lot of force.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I agree with all the above on the cautionary notes.
If you multiply the surface area of the piston by the air pressure used you'll have some idea how much force your fingers or other parts of the body will receive.
Bob
If you multiply the surface area of the piston by the air pressure used you'll have some idea how much force your fingers or other parts of the body will receive.
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I did the same, but used a few pieces of wood to build thickness, then pushed it out in increments by removing the air, then a piece of wood, etc. so they didn't come out all at once. Hope this makes sense.
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Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
This might seem stupid but make sure you push out the piston that's NOT inline with the hole in the back, first. That way you can push the 2nd piston out with a screwdriver or other long skinny instrument.
Dope
Dope
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: los angeles calif.
compress air with shop air blower tool a cupple of shop rags in between pistons and cal and blow. rags act like a pillow no damage to piston be careful!!! watch those finger or take them to local shop should do it for free no biggie just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 0
From: Kailua HI
Put cloths all around it and place it in a bucket and shoot air gently in the nipple, be careful I nearly shot a guy one time.
Originally Posted by RedRider98
I bought a set of calipers that I am having a local shop powdercoat. how do you remove the pistons from the calipers?
Bryan
Bryan
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 317
From: Key Largo Florida
I though I might mention something that might save you some grief I just experienced. I just did a set and the shop that did the work was either lazy or just sloppy and ended up sand blasting parts of the inside of 3 of the caliper cylinders removing the coating that GM had put on them. I suspect I'll end up having leaking issues with these although I'm not 100% sure.
Funny the powder coater said we do these all of the time and no one else ever complained. What an idiot!
HTH!
Fred
Funny the powder coater said we do these all of the time and no one else ever complained. What an idiot!
HTH!
Fred
