Are these calipers trashed?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
I just received them in the mail today. I was just curious if the outer cup that the pistons ride in was replaceable. I plan on gutting them and having them powdercoated and installing new pistons, seals etc etc but I wasn't sure that part could be ordered.
I looked at them and said WTF out loud.
I looked at them and said WTF out loud.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Dallas TX
I believe you can get the pistons and all the seals and everything for them. I think either DRM http://dougrippie.com/ or some of the other vendors would be able to help you out. I hope you got a hell of a deal on those.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
I believe you can get the pistons and all the seals and everything for them. I think either DRM http://dougrippie.com/ or some of the other vendors would be able to help you out. I hope you got a hell of a deal on those.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: Dallas TX
Well I have seen calipers only on here for about 1000 in what looked to be great shape. So I would say with needing be fully rebuilt and probably powder coated but not neccesary around 500-700 for the full set. Closer to the 500 range I think would still be a really good deal since I think piston replacements are under $200 for better than stock ones and then the seals i am not sure how much but i would think only another 200 at max for everything else to rebuild them to better than new and if you can find somene local a good deal on powder coat of like $25 per caliper would just bring you back up to the price of some of the ones in great shape but you would have better pistons which make a difference especially if planning to roadrace or autox.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08
For what it's worth, here is my suggestion: I would rebuild them with the following parts:
1. Replace all of the OEM aluminum pistons with stainless steel pistons. The upgraded stainless steel pistons are available from Doug Rippie Motorsports.
2. Without a doubt, install new inner o-ring seals and dust boots in each of the piston bores.
The stainless steel pistons as compared to the factory aluminum pistons will provide much better service life with regard to reducing the chance of boiling the brake fluid in extended HPDE activity.
1. Replace all of the OEM aluminum pistons with stainless steel pistons. The upgraded stainless steel pistons are available from Doug Rippie Motorsports.
2. Without a doubt, install new inner o-ring seals and dust boots in each of the piston bores.
The stainless steel pistons as compared to the factory aluminum pistons will provide much better service life with regard to reducing the chance of boiling the brake fluid in extended HPDE activity.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,827
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Looks like they have had some heavy duty track use. It looks like just the outer boots are burned off which is normal after several track days. The calipers can be rebuilt using GM Parts although the pad pins may be a little hard to remove. Once they get heated up they tend to freeze in their holes. Since you are powdercoating the calipers I suspect you aren't planning on using these calipers on the track so going with stainless pistons is a waste of dollars.
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I've seen worse. My suggestion is just rebuild them with stock GM parts. You are on your own with regards to pads.
The pistons can be cleaned up pretty easily with a sand paper or a non-metallic brush and a Scotch Bright scrubbing pad In Austin, its hot and dry here most of the time so buying new pistons are not really needed in my opinion.
The pistons can be cleaned up pretty easily with a sand paper or a non-metallic brush and a Scotch Bright scrubbing pad In Austin, its hot and dry here most of the time so buying new pistons are not really needed in my opinion.
Navigator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I've seen worse. My suggestion is just rebuild them with stock GM parts. You are on your own with regards to pads.
The pistons can be cleaned up pretty easily with a sand paper or a non-metallic brush and a Scotch Bright scrubbing pad In Austin, its hot and dry here most of the time so buying new pistons are not really needed in my opinion.
The pistons can be cleaned up pretty easily with a sand paper or a non-metallic brush and a Scotch Bright scrubbing pad In Austin, its hot and dry here most of the time so buying new pistons are not really needed in my opinion.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
I KNEW I should have gone with my gut and not bought these.
I put air to them but only 2 pistons would come out. I had to pry the other 4 out and ruin them.
Does anyone have some spare stock pistons I can buy?
Also, I can't see how these seals come out so I can buy new ones. The seal I circled in green.
I put air to them but only 2 pistons would come out. I had to pry the other 4 out and ruin them.
Does anyone have some spare stock pistons I can buy?
Also, I can't see how these seals come out so I can buy new ones. The seal I circled in green.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,827
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The dust seals can be removed by using a small flat bladed screw driver to pick them out of the grooves in the caliper. Unless you have the GM recommended tools to hold the pistons in place while applying air pressure you will have to use a block of wood to keep them from coming out all the way. If you didn't use a piece of wood when you applied the air one piston came out and released the air pressure. You are lucky you got two instead of one. Using a piece of wood allows you to get a hold of the pistons that are partially out of the caliper and pull them the rest of the way out. Here are the instructions from the service manual.
Tools Required
CH-47954 Caliper Seal Installer
Removal Procedure
Important: Cap or plug the brake hose so as not to allow the brake system to become contaminated and to prevent fluid leaks.
1. Remove the brake caliper from the vehicle.
Important: Use a vise or holding fixture that has soft jaws to prevent damage to the aluminum body of the caliper.
2. Install the caliper in a vise.
3. Using the appropriate tools, position the tools between the inner and outer brake pads so that when the compressed air is applied, the pistons will not move.
Important: The following service procedure should be repeated until all pistons have been removed from the caliper.
4. Using the C-Clamp from the CH-47954 , hold the brake pad opposite the piston to be removed from the caliper.
Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Caution in the Preface section.
5. Apply filtered, non lubricated compress air to the piston.
6. Remove the piston (1) from caliper.
7. After the inboard and outboard pistons have been removed, move to the next piston and repeat the clamping procedure until all pistons have been removed.
8. Using a long medium-bladed screwdriver, remove the dust seal (2) from the caliper body. Use caution as not to damage the caliper.
9. Using a small flat-bladed pocket screwdriver or equivalent, remove the piston seal (3).
Important: Perform the following service procedure only if the brake pipe is damaged.
10. Remove the brake pipe between the inboard and outboard pistons.
Installation Procedure
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Important: Finger tighten the brake pipe before torquing to proper specification.
1. Install the brake caliper brake pipe between the inboard and outboard pistons.
Tighten
Tighten the fittings to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
2. Position the piston seal (3) in the bore.
3. Install the piston (1) in the bore.
4. Position the dust seal (2) in the piston bore.
Important: When the dust seal is seated, the dust seal maybe slightly above the surface of the caliper, this is normal. The inner surface of the caliper is slightly curved.
5. Using the CH-47954 , install the dust seal in the following manner:
5.1.
Position the C-Clamp and cup on the caliper.
5.2.
Align the tool on the dust seal for the proper installation of the dust seal.
5.3.
Slowly apply pressure to the dust seal.
5.4.
Check the alignment of the dust seal to the bore.
5.5.
If the position of the tool and dust seal has changed, reposition the tool on seal.
5.6.
Fully seat the dust seal in the piston bore.
5.7.
Repeat this procedure for the rest of the pistons that need to be serviced.
6. Remove the brake caliper from the vise.
Important: In the following service procedure, do not damage the dust seal.
7. Using a small flat-bladed pocket screwdriver, install the dust seal in the groove in the piston.
8. Install the brake caliper.
Tools Required
CH-47954 Caliper Seal Installer
Removal Procedure
Important: Cap or plug the brake hose so as not to allow the brake system to become contaminated and to prevent fluid leaks.
1. Remove the brake caliper from the vehicle.
Important: Use a vise or holding fixture that has soft jaws to prevent damage to the aluminum body of the caliper.
2. Install the caliper in a vise.
3. Using the appropriate tools, position the tools between the inner and outer brake pads so that when the compressed air is applied, the pistons will not move.
Important: The following service procedure should be repeated until all pistons have been removed from the caliper.
4. Using the C-Clamp from the CH-47954 , hold the brake pad opposite the piston to be removed from the caliper.
Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Caution in the Preface section.
5. Apply filtered, non lubricated compress air to the piston.
6. Remove the piston (1) from caliper.
7. After the inboard and outboard pistons have been removed, move to the next piston and repeat the clamping procedure until all pistons have been removed.
8. Using a long medium-bladed screwdriver, remove the dust seal (2) from the caliper body. Use caution as not to damage the caliper.
9. Using a small flat-bladed pocket screwdriver or equivalent, remove the piston seal (3).
Important: Perform the following service procedure only if the brake pipe is damaged.
10. Remove the brake pipe between the inboard and outboard pistons.
Installation Procedure
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Important: Finger tighten the brake pipe before torquing to proper specification.
1. Install the brake caliper brake pipe between the inboard and outboard pistons.
Tighten
Tighten the fittings to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
2. Position the piston seal (3) in the bore.
3. Install the piston (1) in the bore.
4. Position the dust seal (2) in the piston bore.
Important: When the dust seal is seated, the dust seal maybe slightly above the surface of the caliper, this is normal. The inner surface of the caliper is slightly curved.
5. Using the CH-47954 , install the dust seal in the following manner:
5.1.
Position the C-Clamp and cup on the caliper.
5.2.
Align the tool on the dust seal for the proper installation of the dust seal.
5.3.
Slowly apply pressure to the dust seal.
5.4.
Check the alignment of the dust seal to the bore.
5.5.
If the position of the tool and dust seal has changed, reposition the tool on seal.
5.6.
Fully seat the dust seal in the piston bore.
5.7.
Repeat this procedure for the rest of the pistons that need to be serviced.
6. Remove the brake caliper from the vise.
Important: In the following service procedure, do not damage the dust seal.
7. Using a small flat-bladed pocket screwdriver, install the dust seal in the groove in the piston.
8. Install the brake caliper.
