Re-setting caliper pistons

Right, had a bash at me front ones last night. no chance. i got 3 of the 4 on the drivers side back in place but one still had 5mm or so to go. Whats the best way of doing it? i used a combination of screwdrivers and a socket extension bar. also tried to use a small G clamp. i have seen some tools for this but these dont seem suited to landy calipers.

shall i just whip it off and take it to a garage? will they use a hydraulic press? or should i get them rebuilt? will prob leave it now till next week, but they still need doing.

G

G-cramp... but use a big un an a block of wood against the pistons rather than the cramp itself so as not to damage it. You can use a ring spanner on the tommy bar of the cramp to get some extra torque if the piston is a bit seized to start with. If it is though, a rebuild should be on the cards really.

Cheers,

Cracking the bleed nipple a little can help sometimes too... you will need to bleed the brakes if you follow that route

does that help relieve the pressure adz?

i did think about it, but put it all back together in the end. will wait for me braided hose to turn up from paddocks 1st.

G

I don't know exactly how it works and it won't make a lick of difference if the piston is seized - I'd guess it does just take the master cylinder out of the equation so you're not trying to push against it and a hydralic pipe full of fluid.

DTZ said:

I don't know exactly how it works and it won't make a lick of difference if the piston is seized - I'd guess it does just take the master cylinder out of the equation so you're not trying to push against it and a hydralic pipe full of fluid.

Click to expand...

I've done that to car & Bike calipers. It's not a bad way to see if it is seized. If you've loosened the bleed nipple a bit & it still dun't move..........it's farked!

Cracking the bleed nipple is the line of least resistance for moving the piston back.
Grockle.

cheers chaps, will try this some time next week as im off to wales on the weekend.

Cheers,

G

Where abouts you going griff?

Try pumping two pistons out at a time and take some emery paper and clean them up.
Repeat the procedure until you have done all the pistons.

Another alternative is to pop the pistons out the calipers then clamp the flexi hoses, so you don't loose too much fluid. Once out, give them a good clean up. Lube them with rubber grease and pop the back in. If you haven't any rubber grease, lube them with brake fluid.

You could always get a seal kit and replace them at the same time.
Job done!