Brake Calipers

Phil MG · 26th March 2023, 17:22

Hello,i intend to change the pistons in the Brake Calipers( ZT 2ltr diesel.) i've been thinking about this and i shall remove the Caliper from the mounting bracket,take out the Brake Pads and then use the Brake pedal to push the piston out.once out remove the caliper from the hard line and clean up,then install new pistons and seals before replacing back,then start on another caliper
would working this way be anygood or is there another way.

Lee T · 26th March 2023, 18:07

That's the approach I would take. Avoid the Big Red brand caliper kits, as the seals are not the best quality and I've heard of people having much hassle getting them to fit, and resorting to using the old seals. Also if your calipers are rusty, I can highly reccomend getting a bottlle of Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80, wire brush the caliper and use the Hydrate 80 on them. 24hrs and they turn deep black and will not rust again.

Lee.

clf · 26th March 2023, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil MG

Hello,i intend to change the pistons in the Brake Calipers( ZT 2ltr diesel.) i've been thinking about this and i shall remove the Caliper from the mounting bracket,take out the Brake Pads and then use the Brake pedal to push the piston out.once out remove the caliper from the hard line and clean up,then install new pistons and seals before replacing back,then start on another caliper
would working this way be anygood or is there another way.

You will be pulling on the hoses, and cleaning a lot of mess, not to mention it going all over the paintwork.. That is if the piston comes out that far with the other brakes in place.

Then you have to get at the inner seal.

Pinch the hose with an appropriate tool. Remove the hose, with a basin below it. Then remove the caliper. Using an airline to remove the piston works well, but have a block of wood between the piston and the caliper when off the car.

You will have to flush the system anyway, so fluid loss/air ingress is not a high concern at this point.

Some videos to show it (same process as a lot of BMWs of the era)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npys...dlessMoneyPits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBu9...nnel=RestoreIt

One think I will say though, if you have any doubts, at all, have someone do it for you. Or alternatively, replacement calipers are not horrendous in cost. This is literally a life or death repair (dramatic I know) but if the inner seal is fitted back to front, it could release all the fluid by it, just as you are coming off a slip road on the motorway. If that happens, pump the pedal and hope for the other brakes have enough fluid and seal to resist the pressure.

Mike Noc · 26th March 2023, 22:08

I don't have an air line, so pump the piston until it is almost out and then clamp the hose, remove the caliper and pull the piston out with the caliper in a vice and a plastic container under it to catch any brake fluid.

Popcorn · 27th March 2023, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil MG

Hello,i intend to change the pistons in the Brake Calipers( ZT 2ltr diesel.) i've been thinking about this and i shall remove the Caliper from the mounting bracket,take out the Brake Pads and then use the Brake pedal to push the piston out.once out remove the caliper from the hard line and clean up,then install new pistons and seals before replacing back,then start on another caliper
would working this way be anygood or is there another way.

First thing you need to do is make sure that the bleed nipples come undone otherwise you will be in a world of pain

daveo138 · 27th March 2023, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

I don't have an air line, so pump the piston until it is almost out and then clamp the hose, remove the caliper and pull the piston out with the caliper in a vice and a plastic container under it to catch any brake fluid.

In the past, I have used a foot pump to remove caliper pistons.

rrobson · 27th March 2023, 19:52

Good luck. Would be easier to take them off the car though and do on the bench. But for all that trouble and the cost of new complete calipers id just fit new and save a load of hassle. For me it wouldnt be worth my time to strip them and swapping out for new would be far more cost efficient with much less effort required. Nothing worse than old calipers if you can’t clean them properly.

suzublu · 27th March 2023, 20:10

Have to agree with just replacing them. I used to strip, clean, regrease etc and got fed up. Just replaced as needed. Much easier 😎

Sent from my SM-A326B using Tapatalk

Phil MG · 28th March 2023, 19:01

👍Thanks to everyone who has replied,
I have forgotten how to thank people on here

,so i'll do it this way.

daveo138 · 28th March 2023, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil MG

👍Thanks to everyone who has replied,
I have forgotten how to thank people on here

,so i'll do it this way.

Unfortunately, the ‘thanks’ button has been missing for some time.

26th March 2023, 17:22	#1
Phil MG Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: West Heath,Birmingham Posts: 67 Thanks: 28 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Brake Calipers Hello,i intend to change the pistons in the Brake Calipers( ZT 2ltr diesel.) i've been thinking about this and i shall remove the Caliper from the mounting bracket,take out the Brake Pads and then use the Brake pedal to push the piston out.once out remove the caliper from the hard line and clean up,then install new pistons and seals before replacing back,then start on another caliper would working this way be anygood or is there another way.

26th March 2023, 18:07	#2
Lee T Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Liverpool Posts: 870 Thanks: 180 Thanked 248 Times in 189 Posts	That's the approach I would take. Avoid the Big Red brand caliper kits, as the seals are not the best quality and I've heard of people having much hassle getting them to fit, and resorting to using the old seals. Also if your calipers are rusty, I can highly reccomend getting a bottlle of Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80, wire brush the caliper and use the Hydrate 80 on them. 24hrs and they turn deep black and will not rust again. Lee. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

27th March 2023, 19:52	#7
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,647 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	Good luck. Would be easier to take them off the car though and do on the bench. But for all that trouble and the cost of new complete calipers id just fit new and save a load of hassle. For me it wouldnt be worth my time to strip them and swapping out for new would be far more cost efficient with much less effort required. Nothing worse than old calipers if you can’t clean them properly. __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

26th March 2023, 22:08	#4
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,578 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	I don't have an air line, so pump the piston until it is almost out and then clamp the hose, remove the caliper and pull the piston out with the caliper in a vice and a plastic container under it to catch any brake fluid.

27th March 2023, 20:10	#8
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,959 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Have to agree with just replacing them. I used to strip, clean, regrease etc and got fed up. Just replaced as needed. Much easier 😎 Sent from my SM-A326B using Tapatalk

28th March 2023, 19:01	#9
Phil MG Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: West Heath,Birmingham Posts: 67 Thanks: 28 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	👍Thanks to everyone who has replied, I have forgotten how to thank people on here ,so i'll do it this way.