Brake calipers - overhaul or new

[vtrdaz]

What the best to do - overhaul or replace with new?
Is the overhaul an easy job or a pain?
Does anybody know where's a good place to get new calipers?

Cheers
Darren

[Skibum346]

I successfully replaced the wiper seals and seal retainers on four calipers for my 1984 RRC. Only bent one retainer but put that down to developing the skills.   :D

NExt time I tried on our 1994 model... failed terribly and after scrrapping 4 retainers... took the calipers to my local garage to do.   :(

My first experience tells me it's an easy job... my second contradicts so am stuck in limbo. IF you have patience and time/money to carry the spares... do yourelf... if not... whip 'em off and take them to yer garage.

Skibum

[vtrdaz]

which garage did you use? - looks like i'm quite local to you anywhere with a good reputation

[smog]

I prefer to repair and overhaul, if only because i like my money where it should be in MY wallet :)

[vtrdaz]

good point - do you need any special tools to overhaul a caliper? - never had the misfortune to need to do it before :roll:  :roll:

[Skibum346]

which garage did you use? - looks like i'm quite local to you anywhere with a good reputation

Firstly I swear by Douglass Motors at Wolston.

Secondly... specialist tools not really needed as long as you have a pipe wrench (for getting the stubborn old pistons out) and I managed without a brake piston rewind tool. However, the latter would be useful. The only other thin I could suggest is a brake pipe flaring kit, cuz anytime I've takkled brakes... the pipes are always rotten and I need to get new ones. But I have a kit and some pipe/unions if your stuck.

Kindest

Skibum

[vtrdaz]

cheers mate - hopefully the pipes will be good uns! :?

[gtomo2]

I look at it this way most parts of my rangy i will fix myself any safety related parts eg brakes,steering etc send it to a garage that way i know its done and wont fail (in theory)

[andyb]

I've rebuilt several calipers. All 4 on my Disco and several others including some on comp safari motors.

Cleaning the seat that the wiper seal retainer sits in helps. I also have a piece of tube that fits over the piston and use this in a press to push the retainer home. A bit OTT but means that it goes in square first time.

Also don't be worried about splitting the calipers. Just treat them like a cylinder head. Up do evenly and retighten evenly. Replace the bolts with same spec if you are worried about retorquing them.

Worth replacing pistons with stainless ones while you are there. IME the coating comes off the std pistons and then rust. The rust then leads to accelerated wear in the piston seals.

HTH

[V8MoneyPit]

Also don't be worried about splitting the calipers. Just treat them like a cylinder head. Up do evenly and retighten evenly. Replace the bolts with same spec if you are worried about retorquing them.

I would agree. It makes the job so much easier. But, always replace the split line seal. And maybe a little Locktite on the bolts to be sure.

Worth replacing pistons with stainless ones while you are there. IME the coating comes off the std pistons and then rust. The rust then leads to accelerated wear in the piston seals.

HTH

Again, 100% with you on that one. I would never rebuild a caliper without replacing the pistons if they are original chrome plated ones. Any sign of pitting and they will wreck your shiny new seals the moment you install them.

[vtrdaz]

cheers for the tips chaps - do you have to split the caliuper to get the pistons and seals out?

[thepsychoman]

Not worth mucking about with refurbing them - they just stick again anyway. Paddocks do a complete calliper for about £60 complete! Buy, fit and forget.

[vtrdaz]

Firstly I swear by Douglass Motors at Wolston.

Secondly... specialist tools not really needed as long as you have a pipe wrench (for getting the stubborn old pistons out) and I managed without a brake piston rewind tool. However, the latter would be useful. The only other thin I could suggest is a brake pipe flaring kit, cuz anytime I've takkled brakes... the pipes are always rotten and I need to get new ones. But I have a kit and some pipe/unions if your stuck.

Douglas Motors - a quality place - thanks for pointing me in that direction :lol:  :lol:

[andyb]

Not worth mucking about with refurbing them - they just stick again anyway.

Not with stainless pistons they don't; that real fit and forget :D