Ireland Brake Caliper rebuild

Daxklynsmith

Do I have to send the brake calipers to the UK for a rebuild?
I can get all the seals and kit but have never tried it before?
Any Advice?

245

Its not difficult to rebuild yourself - use compressed air though the nipple threads to partially eject the pistons being careful not to eject just one (block of wood may help to prevent too much progress). If replacing the pistons use a vice grips to remove them - need to be gentle if reusing. Rebuild them in a clean environment (kitchen table?) and follow the manual. Thoroughly clean the caliper using very fine wet and dry paper and best judgement before reuse. This approach works for most calipers and worked for me on Volvo and Triumph calipers.

Daxklynsmith

Thanks 245, think I will try,have air and its time wife visited her sister so I can use the kitchen:D

BeardyGit

Yeah, not to mention the under counter integrated dish....parts washer If you stack it correctly, you'll get a pair of heads, twin carbs, inlet manifold and pistons in the one wash cycle....

Daxklynsmith

Aaaah! Gildub is another of the brethren who has spent time on the Couch.
The trick is keeping a poker face when wife mentions that her dishwasher is breaking down, the plates smell of oil and she's found a few washers and nuts in the trap.
:)

8~)

If you speak with a person in the trade they'd recommend to fit a new caliper and be done with it. Time is money to them (and their customers).

However, if you can get the the caliper apart I'd chance a rebuild, assuming it's a relatively standard car. For the cost of a rebuild kit I'd say it's worth trying it. As suggested already, keep everything clean.

I've had some luck with the seal kits in the past and other times I either could not get the piston out at all, or, if I did get it out, there would be too much pitting. If your pistons or caliper have much rust and pitting then my experience is that the caliper will get sticky again in the not too distant future.

Dusty1609

What car are they from?

245

Gil_Dub wrote: »

Yeah, not to mention the under counter integrated dish....parts washer If you stack it correctly, you'll get a pair of heads, twin carbs, inlet manifold and pistons in the one wash cycle....

The oven is handy for heating up parts that are in interference fit, such as the timing gear on the Volvo B18/20 engine. I remember reading about someone who used the washing machine to freshen up an old loom...

Its best not to split a caliper so if you can't service it without splitting it then don't.

Best getting new pistons if the old ones are in any way pitted. Be careful not to scratch the caliper body when removing the seals. Light rust in the cylinder can be removed with a gentle application of fine wet and dry. I soaked mine in white spirit to get rid of any grime and then followed up with plenty of meths and compressed air to get rid of any grit.

Daxklynsmith

Thanks guys, its a 64 Triumph Spitfire aka Triumph Herald aka Standard circa 1950's design.
Not going to split the calipers, will try and if worst case ship whole lot to UK and get recon exchange unit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24435429@N07/2558804475/in/photostream/
am trying to get stuff on photobucket but struggling

245

I envy you that amount of space - the cooler box looks like a good idea too

I've used James Paddock (having tried the others) and find them the best in terms of service, prices and shipping costs.

Daxklynsmith

Thanks, would have preferred if the cooler box held a few cold cans that were somewhat bitter and never sweet but there is a 10 k stretch between home and shed.
see 245 has also used Triumph, was refering to Canleys , which reminds me, the kettle is just out of site and the cooler box is normally full of Coke if anyone feels like visiting and passing ribald comment.
its sort of the Ardrahan/Craughwell area.
Punishment for unfounded derogatory comment is usually a spanner and a can of wd-40, spanner to be held in a threatening way.

galwaytt

245 wrote: »

The oven is handy for heating up parts that are in interference fit, ..........

....and put the other half in the freezer for an hour. One shrinks, one expands.