AC78 Posted 25August, 2017 Report Share Posted 25August, 2017 There's not enough DIY talk on this board.........!So I am in the process of rebuilding brake callipers on my SC and debating if I go to the trouble of splitting them.The callipers are in good condition but looking tired. I'd love to get them zinc plated, but obviously I need to split them first.What are people's experience of doing the split? Are replacement internal Orings/rubbers etc easily available? Can I re-use any of the internals? Did you experience any leaks afterwards?And btw I watched the excellent recent home built by Jeff brake caliper rebuild video, but unfortunately he piked out when it came to the split ;-)Cheers, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 25August, 2017 Report Share Posted 25August, 2017 I didn't do mine, as I don't trust myself with brakes (or electrics), though a mechanic mate did, and he hated me for weeks afterwards! ? Bitch of a job apparently There are rebuild kits around, and Raf has recently done his calipers on his Targa resto, so maybe he'll chime in with where he bought his bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 25August, 2017 Report Share Posted 25August, 2017 There's not enough DIY talk on this board.........!So I am in the process of rebuilding brake callipers on my SC and debating if I go to the trouble of splitting them.The callipers are in good condition but looking tired. I'd love to get them zinc plated, but obviously I need to split them first.What are people's experience of doing the split? Are replacement internal Orings/rubbers etc easily available? Can I re-use any of the internals? Did you experience any leaks afterwards?And btw I watched the excellent recent home built by Jeff brake caliper rebuild video, but unfortunately he piked out when it came to the split ;-)Cheers, AlexI was lucky enough to get fronts that are one piece, but after reading up, I didn't want to risk the rears leaking. Doing a rebuild is well worth while in my opinion, but splitting them for purely cosmetic reasons, is not worth the risk of them leaking. Just paint them instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike D'Silva Posted 26August, 2017 Report Share Posted 26August, 2017 I started doing a set of these calipers last year (from a 74)Hated it. Just hated it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 26August, 2017 Report Share Posted 26August, 2017 1. I agree that there's not enough DIY stuff on here. So lets ramp it up guys. I've always approached brake work as being the single most critical job to get right, for obvious reasons. If you (generally - not you personally) can't change a shock absorber, spark plug, change oil and filters, etc. do not put yourself and other road users at risk. I serviced mine, but I didn't split them. Most of the advice I've read is if you don't have to split them, leave them because they can leak like a bastard afterwards. Course they do look quite nice when they're all shiny and new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC78 Posted 26August, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 26August, 2017 I started doing a set of these calipers last year (from a 74)Hated it. Just hated it. Care to elaborate why? It hasn't been too painful so far. Getting the pistons out was interesting. I don't have an air compressor so I bought a valve from a tyre place, stuck it in the caliper, hooked up a bicycle pump and out they popped! It's redneck but it worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Speedway Posted 27August, 2017 Report Share Posted 27August, 2017 The brake calipers are easy. Don't split them unless you absolutely have to.Put the calipers in a Hessian bag and pop the pistons out with compressed air. Clean eveything with scotchbrite and metho. Assemble with rubber gease. Clean complete assembly with wax and grease remover. Paint with caliper paint. I did mine in silver. It helps seal up the surface and allows for easier cleaning.Bleed starting with the furthest caliper away from the master.A full description of the operation would run to a page or two. Go to you tube university for other opinions and explanations. Find a mate that has done it before to guide you through it.Though i will say. One thing I learnt in the automotive industry..... if a customer buys a part and has to ask "can I fit this myself" It's probably an indication that they shouldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 27August, 2017 Report Share Posted 27August, 2017 Put the calipers in a Hessian bag and pop the pistons out with compressed air. That is a great idea. Don't do what I did. No bag, and I got covered in an explosion of brake fluid.I would also like to mention, that it takes far less air pressure than you think to get the pistons rocketing out of there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashbaxter Posted 1September, 2017 Report Share Posted 1September, 2017 I have just completed a rebuild on my rear calipers which is only the second set i have ever donesplitting them, sandblasting and getting them zinc plated they look the goodsI had no leaks, as long as you replace the small seals that generally dont come with the rebuild kits.its heaps easier to refit the pistons, seals and boots when they are split as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC78 Posted 1September, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 1September, 2017 Ash you are in the minority here, but that's cool with me. Where did you get these small seals that don't come with the rebuild kit?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nogarors4 Posted 2September, 2017 Report Share Posted 2September, 2017 AC78, thanks for starting this thread. I am preparing to rebuild my calipers for my SC and 3.2 too.Subscribed!! Btw, do you reuse the old pistons ? Wonder if i can use the existing ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M Posted 3September, 2017 Report Share Posted 3September, 2017 Btw, do you reuse the old pistons ? Wonder if i can use the existing ones.If the circumference is not scored or pitted they are fine to reuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashbaxter Posted 3September, 2017 Report Share Posted 3September, 2017 I got the small seals from sierra in addition to the seal kitas for the pistons, I gave them a polish and reused them as the new ones I ordered didn't accomodate the centre pins in my calipersif your calipers don't have the pins and you need new pistons give me a yell cheres ash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC78 Posted 16September, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 16September, 2017 Team, just to finish off this thread here are the end results. I decided against doing the split, too much hassle, so just gave them a paint instead.And below is my Macgyver method of extracting the pistons. Simply wittle down a valve, stick it in the caliper fluid intake hole and hook up a bike pump. The hardest bit about this whole job? Figuring out how to post the damn pics on this forum - seriously, what a pain in the a$$ - number one reason I rarely post here. The caliper rebuild was easy as pie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sus911 Posted 18March, 2018 Report Share Posted 18March, 2018 Old thread I know but apparently you need a special driver bit to fit the bolts holding the caliper halves together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911oclock Posted 18March, 2018 Report Share Posted 18March, 2018 2 hours ago, sus911 said: Old thread I know but apparently you need a special driver bit to fit the bolts holding the caliper halves together? Yep. It’s a ribe bit. Can’t remember the size though. SC do a small set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 18March, 2018 Report Share Posted 18March, 2018 2 hours ago, sus911 said: Old thread I know but apparently you need a special driver bit to fit the bolts holding the caliper halves together? You can rebuild the callipers without spitting and that is recommended. Once you split them they are much more likely to leak. Just give them a good clean and replace the seals, new pads and you are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sus911 Posted 21March, 2018 Report Share Posted 21March, 2018 I regularly split the calipers on my motorbikes and have only replaced the caliper half seal once. I rebuilt my Carrera calipers about 10 years ago and painted them red with caliper paint. I regretted that as they just got alot of brake dust on them and looked ordinary. My current view is that the value of these cars now is justifying keeping them original so I have removed the paint and intend sending them off to the US to have them restored to new condition. I'd be happy if they look ok in another 20 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
911oclock Posted 11April, 2018 Report Share Posted 11April, 2018 This has to be the most thorough ‘how to guide’. And it’s written by the pros! Nuffin wrong with splitting they reckon http://m.pmbperformance.com/brakehowto.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 12April, 2018 Report Share Posted 12April, 2018 On 11/04/2018 at 4:04 PM, 911oclock said: This has to be the most thorough ‘how to guide’. And it’s written by the pros! Nuffin wrong with splitting they reckon http://m.pmbperformance.com/brakehowto.html It's a very thorough article! Of course in the Northen Hemispheres , calipers etc get rusty. Not so much here unless you live near the beach. I've done a couple of dozen calipers and never felt compelled to split them. Rabbit holes can turn into warrens with these old cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
09ELF Posted 16April, 2018 Report Share Posted 16April, 2018 How did you manage to blow it out. I have some old calipers which refuse to budge.. did u just wedge the rubber side of the value into the the caliper? On 17/09/2017 at 9:27 AM, AC78 said: And below is my Macgyver method of extracting the pistons. Simply wittle down a valve, stick it in the caliper fluid intake hole and hook up a bike pump. The hardest bit about this whole job? Figuring out how to post the damn pics on this forum - seriously, what a pain in the a$$ - number one reason I rarely post here. The caliper rebuild was easy as pie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC78 Posted 16April, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 16April, 2018 Yes I just wedged/screwed the whittled down valve into the calliper intake. It didn't take much pressure. I also used a G clamp and block of wood in between the pistons to make sure they came out at the same time. It's quite satisfying to hear that pop when they come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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