Is there a tool to remove brake caliper pistons

[454ragtop]

Back in the 70's I worked in an automotive machine shop, rebuilt tons of calipers. Reman calipers were a lot more expensive back then, we used to stock all the seal kits and pistons. 99% came apart with a quick shot of air, others we used a grease gun. Never used a tool, although I do remember a pliers type tool that expanded to grab the inside of large pistons in single piston calipers. An important detail I don't see mentioned was to use Raybestos brake assembly fluid, a LOT easier to reassemble the caliper as compared to just brake fluid.

 

[Superbec]

yup. Blowgun and wood. So easy my wife has rebuilt calipers.

you must not have really sized calipers , I get some works of art , barn finds and the like ... when the caliper gets oxidized it will push the rubbers so hard 10 bars will not even move it a bit.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Great information!

I removed all 8 pistons from the brembo caliper. It's actually MUCH easier than what I thought. The pistons are steal with what looks like a ceramic coating it. I've never seen that before. On my STi they are a standard piston. I will take pictures and post up.

So now I have decided not to powder coat them. Mainly because I just can't justify spending $610 for them.

Some things I noted when disassembling them. I saw just a few tiny flakes of what appeared to be the stock brembo paint in the fluid. I've removed everything from it currently including pistons/seals/bleeders..etc.

I have stuffed clean small cloths in each piston hole to prevent **** from getting in there but ultimely I am going to strip the caliper of color and everything and do the painting myself. It will be a fun winter project.

yaidunno:
You say I can put the entire caliper in water and wash it out? This includes having no pistons or anything as noted above? I REALLY want to clean the caliper but figured if anything got inside other than brake fluid was going to be a bad thing. I wanted to use brakeclean and clean everything but I'll await your response. I have no issues putting it in the oven to make any water evaporate, just want to make sure that's not harmful to anything inside or cause anything to start rusting..

LXCam:
Excellent info! What aircraft stripper specifically did you use? I was looking at different strippers and didn't know what was best. Note that I want something that will NOT destroy the caliper...lol What if the stripper gets in side where a piston goes? Do you tape off the piston area completely. How do you prevent anything from going there?

I have removed everything and figured putting blue painters tape to cover up each side but then though, if stripper is strong enough to remove clearcoat/paint, wouldn't it eat right through the tape if it got on it? Sorry if that's a silly question to ask.


EDIT:

Exactly what I want to do: Even down to the color. His turned out super nice.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1281104


Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[MikeF2316]

I've done lots of calipers, but only cast iron ones. Cast iron is easy for external cleaning because you can be a little rough with it, compared to softer metals like aluminum.

I always took stuck pistons out with the air and wood method. You can put the piston back in without the seal to help get the more stuck ones out, then still get the first one(s) out easily.

As far as cleaning inside, I just used brake cleaner sprayed in each hole in the bottom of the bore, and confirmed that a good volume was coming through. Then followed up with air.

Good seal kits come with grease to use on the seals. We used to call it "Girling Grease" back in the day.

NewShockerGuy: Love the burnt copper colour too. Not shouty like the red or yellow, it's subtle but obvious enough that there's something special there.

 

[Major Ramifications]

With a reman caliper,you get a warranty and don't get one rebuilding it yourself.Volkswagon has rear brake calipers that are electronic and require their scan tool get the piston back in.

So...reason number 576 not to buy a Volkswagen?