Rebuilding '72 bay brake calipers

[Tofufi]

Hi all...

The front calipers on my bus have been binding ever since I bought it. One is alright and just requires freeing off every few months, and the other is mildly worse.

Anyway, I bought a pair of 'good' calipers by post, which look like they have been kept in a garden for several hundred years :roll:
Because of this, I reckon they will need rebuilding. I can't get the pistons to move in and out but I've not really tried.

I've managed to remove them from the drums/spindles with a lot of swearing and cursing (and some help from Saraj!).

Does anyone have any hints, tips or things to avoid?

I would imagine that putting the pistons back into their bores might be quite hard without splitting the caliper?

I've also heard that the seals for between the caliper halves are no longer availiable :?

Any (constructive ) advice welcome 8)

*wishes his van has drums on the front*

 

[noddy]

For seals for the caliper half's try a motor bike garage/dealer or good independent motor factors.

As for getting the pistons back in, get yourself some rubber grease you can get it from halfrauds its red in colour.

Grease the piston seal you only need a smear, make sure the pistons are clean and have no deep corrosion pits, light surface oxide or stubborn dirt can be removed with a green scotch pad and some brake cleaner.

When you start to push the pistons back in keep the square to the bore if they wont push in by hand use a G cramp and a block of wood across the top of the piston and slowly push in once you get past the seal they should push in by hand. If you get lots of resistance stop it means either the seal is getting pinched or the piston has skewed in the bore.

Can remember if the dust seal goes in after the piston is fitted.