brake seals

[Matt_H]

Just changed all the brake pads on the 1990 200 tdi disco.  Anyway one of the front calipers has lost its wipe seal and metal retaining thing. I bought replacement ones just in case as I seem to recall a back one had gone a while back when I changed the pads last year.

Anyway try as I might to get the metal retaining ring in, I just couldn't do it, the metal just wouldn't fit in the hole, it seemed to be about 1mm too large, I managed to squish 3 or 4 rings so gave up - put the brake pads in and put the whole lot back on the car.

Are they that important? On the basis I had no joy I'm guessing I'd need to take it somewhere or replace the calliper (but I hate taking them off as I cant stand bleading breaks).. Is there some magic way of doing it that I don't know about - some magic tool perhaps, or can I just leave them?

TIA

[beast5680]

when i did mine i left the metal ring in from last time and hooked the seal out and pushed the new one in, i have done those metal rings and you have to get them square on to go in or they just squash up, i used a G clamp and an old pad to slowly squeeze them in but your right they are a right pain in the arris to do

[Mace]

I used a g-clamp and a piece of wood when I did mine. You still have to keep backing off and moving the g-clamp and wood to just the right position otherwise you're in trouble. They never go in straight 1st time.