Rebuilding Calipers

[btodd]

Does anyone know of an article or have any info on putting the new seals on brake calipers? I bought the kits for both front and rear from the dealership. The seals are in there along with some paste looking stuff in a red baggie. Thanks for the help.

 

[SlowSpyder]

what you need is an air compressor with a rubber tip blow gun, or someway to put pressurize the caliper. All you need to do is put something in between the piston and the caliper. pump air into the brake line hole or where the banjo bolt goes that holds the brake line, this will force the pistons out. Becareful, depending on how much pressure you put into the caliper it will shoot out with some force. Take the seals out and clean the piston bore(there will be crap in there) and use some fine emery cloth on the piston. Lube up the seals with appropriate lube or brake fluid will do and put them in. If you have a dust boot spread tool then spread the boot on to the piston and put the pistons in. Before you push the pistons all the way in make sure the dust boot fully seats. If you dont have the tool theres a trick you can do it with the pressurized air. Put the dust boots on the caliper, after put the pistons against the seals and shoot air into the caliper. With the pistons against the boots it will force the boots to expand so you can slide the pistons in. Its really tricky especially since you have a 2 pot caliper.

 

[btodd]

Wow.. thanks for the reply. I might give that a try but I'm pondering just taking them to a brake shop and have them do it... It does sound a bit complicated.

 

[btodd]

So I called the local Firestone today to find out if replacing the seals is something they can do. The guy on the phone said they only replace calipers and don't rebuild them. Soooo.. I'm going to take your advice above and attempt to do this myself. I'll have to use the foil/screwdriver method to clean out the pistons.. the honing tool I bought didn't seem to be working very well for some of the rust buildup inside the piston. If anyone else has any pointers, it is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[btodd]

AWESOME!

I just found the complete step-by-step rebuild instructions in section 9-20 of the Chilton manual. Should have looked there in the 1st place..

 

[btodd]

Anyone know what this little pouch of paste stuff is that comes in the seal kit? Is it the lube?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Sorry for so many questions.

 

[jtmcinder]

Yes, but it's only for the piston seals. You must get high-temp caliper grease for the lock and guide pins.

- Jtoby

 

[Nt-Eclipse-Dail]

Anyone know what this little pouch of paste stuff is that comes in the seal kit? Is it the lube?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Sorry for so many questions.

Could you please post the part numbers and the price you paid for the caliper rebuild kits? I was looking for some of these kits and your pic is exactly what I was looking for...

The 'Advance/Autozone' kits are incomplete and do NOT contain all of these parts. To make it even more funny, The stupid morons at Autozone tried to argue with me about it when I told them that 'A single seal and boot is not a complete caliper rebuild kit'.
What you have in this picture appears to be complete...

P.S. I would call the Dealer that you got the 'kits' from and check with them about that grease. I was going to guess that it was for the pins but now I am not sure at all...

 

[Omega]

Are reman calipers expensive?

Edit:

Wow, ~$80 My firebird calipers were $13, but then again they could barely stop the damn car.

 

[Nt-Eclipse-Dail]

Are reman calipers expensive?

Edit:

Wow, ~$80 My firebird calipers were $13, but then again they could barely stop the damn car.

Rebuilt Calipers will run around $200 or so (the Advance price I got for '90 model calipers) EACH.
You can rebuild them yourself for less than $30 each ($30 is what it came to for me because I bought a ton of brake cleaner and paints and primers as well, It can be done cheaper for sure).

 

[Todd TCE]

Yes, but it's only for the piston seals. You must get high-temp caliper grease for the lock and guide pins.

- Jtoby

Correct, it's called rubber grease. It won't break down the rubber like petroleum products will. Put it on the seal and in the grove prior to assembly. For those who don't get this in a kit just wet the whole thing down with brake fluid before assembly. Do NOT assemble dry.