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Post by chris71 on Nov 8, 2017 20:26:22 GMT
Hi
Getting to the point now when I can start looking to get my car on the road & I have no idea of the condition of the brake calipers so want to refurbish them.
Have watched some good old YouTube videos and it seems simple enough, but never having done anything like this before I'm not sure if this is something I want to take on because brakes are pretty important !!
Have seen various rebuild kits but having taking into account the rebuild kit price and time spent hoping that I've got it right, am I better off going to Autolink on their exchange offer.
Thoughts please.
Chris
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Post by colin on Nov 9, 2017 10:06:47 GMT
Caliper refurb is pretty simple, if you follow one of the many guides you'll be fine. Rears are obviously a bit more involved than fronts but still not too bad. Couple of points to watch: - Get new pistons, or take the time to clean up the old ones properly, no point in putting in new seals then tearing them up when you push corroded pistons back in - For the rears you'll need long reach circlip pliers (these are the ones I use www.pedparts.co.uk/product/1029/circlip-pliers-long-reach-for-forks)Normally the kit is a bit cheaper than a refurb'd caliper, but the refurb'd caliper comes all clean, shiny, painted and saves a bit of time. If you've got crusty looking calipers I'd go for an exchange one for the shiny-shiny factor. Although doing all four the price difference might add up a bit... |
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Post by joeytalent on Nov 9, 2017 12:54:19 GMT
I did a set a couple of years ago, nothing too tricky. Big Redd is a good source for seal kits.
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Post by chris71 on Nov 13, 2017 20:37:23 GMT
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Post by joeytalent on Nov 13, 2017 21:10:42 GMT
That's exactly what I used. Depending on how your adjusters look at the rear, it might be worth ordering some replacements: www.mx5parts.co.uk/rear-caliper-outer-adjuster-mk1-25-p-309.htmlHardest part for me was getting the circlip out (until I bought the right pliers), then getting the pistons out. If the piston is rusted at all, it can take some serious pressure to get it out - I used a footpump in the end. |
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Post by melx5 on Nov 13, 2017 21:35:22 GMT
That's exactly what I used. Depending on how your adjusters look at the rear, it might be worth ordering some replacements: www.mx5parts.co.uk/rear-caliper-outer-adjuster-mk1-25-p-309.htmlHardest part for me was getting the circlip out (until I bought the right pliers), then getting the pistons out. If the piston is rusted at all, it can take some serious pressure to get it out - I used a footpump in the end. If you can't remove the pistons try using a grease gun to force them out, unlike compressed air the piston wont fly around your garage/shed when they pop out, messy, but you're going to clean the caliper up anyway so no real problem |
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Post by joeytalent on Nov 13, 2017 22:15:21 GMT
That's exactly what I used. Depending on how your adjusters look at the rear, it might be worth ordering some replacements: www.mx5parts.co.uk/rear-caliper-outer-adjuster-mk1-25-p-309.htmlHardest part for me was getting the circlip out (until I bought the right pliers), then getting the pistons out. If the piston is rusted at all, it can take some serious pressure to get it out - I used a footpump in the end. If you can't remove the pistons try using a grease gun to force them out, unlike compressed air the piston wont fly around your garage/shed when they pop out, messy, but you're going to clean the caliper up anyway so no real problem You can wrap duct tape around the piston so it doesn't go flying off and shatter your hopes / dreams / shed. |
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Post by melx5 on Nov 14, 2017 6:11:39 GMT
If you can't remove the pistons try using a grease gun to force them out, unlike compressed air the piston wont fly around your garage/shed when they pop out, messy, but you're going to clean the caliper up anyway so no real problem You can wrap duct tape around the piston so it doesn't go flying off and shatter your hopes / dreams / shed. I agree but I like the grease method as it gives you more control, with air pressure you have two issues, keeping the pressure high enough to move the piston and attaching the line to the caliper. With the grease gun it doesn't matter if you stop, the grease is still in the caliper and the bleed valve makes attachment simple OP's choice on which method he uses, I was just giving him an alternative |
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Post by chris71 on Nov 14, 2017 19:56:06 GMT
Thanks for all the info guys. I will look at the rear adjusters once I get them out. Currently stripping down another set of calipers I had from my donor car and have removed a couple of the old pistons with a liberal amount of home made penetrating oil, curved mole grips and a 2lb lump hammer. Worked a treat !
I do pride myself on my craftsmanship skills !
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Post by chris71 on Nov 25, 2017 17:53:57 GMT
Hi,
Have seem to have a problem. Stripping down the calipers and everything has been peachy until whilst dismantling one of the rears the auto adjuster is stuck in the piston and can't seem to get the little sod out.
Thoughts please.
Thanks
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Post by martiny on Nov 25, 2017 18:53:10 GMT
Do you mean it turns okay but just won't come out? I suppose it might be just a little distorted or maybe there's a bit of something gritty holding it. The right size of Torx driver might grip it I suppose (you could try fitting it into the good one) but it might be necessary to take the caliper off so you can turn it over to encourage it to drop out.
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Post by joeytalent on Nov 26, 2017 4:16:26 GMT
The circlip came out okay?
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Post by chris71 on Nov 28, 2017 18:25:01 GMT
Do you mean it turns okay but just won't come out? I suppose it might be just a little distorted or maybe there's a bit of something gritty holding it. The right size of Torx driver might grip it I suppose (you could try fitting it into the good one) but it might be necessary to take the caliper off so you can turn it over to encourage it to drop out. All the calipers are of the car and just cant adjuster out see pic. The other one just feel out ?  |
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Post by joeytalent on Nov 30, 2017 1:25:33 GMT
Looks like the retainer clip is still in place? Black circle that's about two thirds of a full circle... Can't figure out how to describe it better.
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Post by chris71 on Nov 30, 2017 18:51:38 GMT
Thanks for the thought but have checked the other one which fell out and the retaining clip on that is still on the body so kind of guessing it's distorted in some way. Think the best approach is buy some new ones.
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le sigh