Brakes Help

[davechorlton]

Trying to rebuild caliper. Can't seem to get dust seals off. They rip but dont come off cleanly. Looks like they are glued onto calper or something. The kit I have has a retaining ring. How were they fixed on original ATE calipers? I must be missing something

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Justin & Muttley]

I had this when I rebuilt mine a couple of weeks ago - the seals will come off although you might have to gently prise the retaining ring over the recess. Be careful as the recess can be a little fragile and prone to splintering off in parts. Keep at it - it sounds like you're on the right track. A small jewellers screwdriver can be useful although I used a steel scribe (flat end) as it was nice and sharp and I could 'dig' it under the very bottom of the seal.

It's one of the most rewarding jobs I've done on the van so far...

Not my first choice of colour, but my options were limited at the time :roll:

 

[davechorlton]

Sorted, thanks. Was being a bit too gentle for fear of damaging something. Caliper re-built, although the first time I forgot to rotate the pistons, so had to do it again :x

Not stuck anymore but both sides still dragging on the discs and not fully retracting. Perhaps I need to adjust the pedal/master cylinder?
Already done both flexis.

Dave

 

[Justin & Muttley]

...both sides still dragging on the discs and not fully retracting.

I think this is normal, there's usually a light dragging in normal operation, or do you mean that they're locking on?

 

[davechorlton]

Well only a light dragging to be fair, whereas before I did the calipers and hoses they were properly binding.

How will I know what's normal?

I suppose I'll take her for a spin and see how hot they get?

P.S. Thanks for your help

 

[Justin & Muttley]

...
How will I know what's normal?

Have you got access to another vehicle? If so, why not jack up the front and give the wheel a spin?
Alternatively, take it to your local garage to get it checked (places like Kwik-Fit do free brake checks, but I suspect they're just looking for other things wrong to get some $$$'s out of you!).

 

[Todster]

Hi all,
Sorry to hi-jack but bloody hell J&M they look great 8) , whats that there paint you are using???

Cheers
Todster

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Hi all,
Sorry to hi-jack but bloody hell J&M they look great 8) , whats that there paint you are using???

Cheers
Todster

Thanks dude!
I stripped them using fine stainless steel wire brushes on the Dremmel first, then gave them an acid bath to clean them up. I also had to polish the pistons and barrels as a little corrosion had got inside.
I sprayed them first with high temp paint (red) as I was under the impression it would be glossy, as it turned out it was a horrible matt instead (I baked them in my wife's new oven for a couple of hours!!) but provided an excellent key for the Halfrauds caliper paint I went on to use. Dries pretty quickly and goes on with a brush nicely - 3 or 4 coats on each caliper. I think they do it in black, red or blue - but my local shop is super-**** and they only had one colour!

Give it a go, easy peasy!

 

[Todster]

Hi
Thanks Justin & Muttley, They look great. Thanks for the info

Cheers
Mark