Caliper assembly - pistons included?

clent · Nov 3, 2016

Hoping to tap into your experience.....

I'm about to replace the front calipers on my 110 (vented discs)

If I buy SEB500460 and SEB500470 (probably the Bearmach ones from LRdirect), do they come with pistons or do I need to buy the pistons separately? I can't tell from the photos and would rather avoid having to pay a set of carriage charges if I order the pistons later...

Thank you!

lynall · Nov 3, 2016

A calliper will be complete and ready to fit.
Dont discount the britpart ones Ive had some on my 90, mates used a few and Ive got some on the D3 zero issues so far.
I would put a small bet the bearmach and britpart ones are one and the same unit, lots of people say bearmach are better I cant see how as they like britpart dont make anything they are just middlemen.
Either way they are pretty cheap nowadays, I can remember paying 350 quid for two D2 front ones 10 yrs ago and now they are 100 quid a pair tops.

Flossie · Nov 3, 2016

As said,, yes they are complete.
Consider rebuilding your own with stainless pistons, even cheaper and practically fit and forgot, tis what I've done on all 4 corners.

dag019 · Nov 3, 2016

If it comes with pistons or not it may be worth looking to rebuild either the new one or your old ones with the upgraded stainless pistons. I have done this front and rear with mine and no longer have the issues of the pistons sticking or pulling the seals out.

Posting at the same time as Flossie

clent · Nov 6, 2016

Thank you - have ordered the standard assemblies this time. Will keep the old ones and will aim to re-fit them with stainless pistons before re-using next time the calipers need changing...

frog hopper · Nov 7, 2016

How easy is it to fit the SS pistons? I have heard the seals can be an absolute mare to push in, if there are any tips to make it foolproof I might have a go at renovating my old calipers.

dag019 · Nov 8, 2016

frog hopper said:
How easy is it to fit the SS pistons? I have heard the seals can be an absolute mare to push in, if there are any tips to make it foolproof I might have a go at renovating my old calipers.

Although many people will tell you not to the, the easiest way to do it is to split the caliper and then replace the gallery seals at the same time. as long as the seals are replaced there is no problem with splitting the caliper. I have done this with both front and rear on mine and have had no problems. Once the caliper is split access to the piston and seals is much better. The hardest part is fitting the seal retaining ring which is a thin piece of cheap pressed steel. I made sure I had more than I needed so if I bent one while fitting I could use a new one. The best way to refit these is to carefully file a small chamfer onto the edge to be pressed in and then using something to spread the load gently tap it home with a small hammer. I used one of the radius arm washers for this as they are the perfect size and means you don't have to buy or make anything specially for the job.

agew · Nov 8, 2016

+1 on careful fit of the seals - had to carefully 'reshape' one I mis-hit .....

The Zeus SS pistons I fitted several years ago are in tip top condition and were a work of art to look at (sad, me....?) and a doddle to fit with some care and time. Good luck whichever you do. Cheers, A

Disco1BFG · Nov 8, 2016

dag019 said:
Although many people will tell you not to the, the easiest way to do it is to split the caliper and then replace the gallery seals at the same time. as long as the seals are replaced there is no problem with splitting the caliper. I have done this with both front and rear on mine and have had no problems. Once the caliper is split access to the piston and seals is much better. The hardest part is fitting the seal retaining ring which is a thin piece of cheap pressed steel. I made sure I had more than I needed so if I bent one while fitting I could use a new one. The best way to refit these is to carefully file a small chamfer onto the edge to be pressed in and then using something to spread the load gently tap it home with a small hammer. I used one of the radius arm washers for this as they are the perfect size and means you don't have to buy or make anything specially for the job.

+1 - deffo split the caliper, and use new gallery seals - its very easy to do. Doing it without splitting will require the hands of a baby with the strength of the Hulk - I.E. virtually impossible.

I've done loads over the years. never any problems.

flat · Nov 9, 2016

A friend fits britpart calipers to the rear of his disco as it gets little use they seize. They are so cheap he considers them a service item and changes them every couple of years.

I replaced my fronts with bearmach calipers and compared them to a britpart pair - only difference I could see if the bearmach were 'slightly' beater finished.

I kept my old calipers and had them media blasted, and will rebuild with stainless Pistons should the bearmach calipers go tits up. So far so good but only been on a year

Flossie · Nov 9, 2016

I've never bent a retainer ring!
I always fit the inner seal, then piston, then assemble wiper seal/ring together and slide both down the piston.
I then use a piece of tube which I had lying around (exhaust pipe iirc) thin walled, which is the same size ish as the ring and tap home gently. Done loads easy peasey!
It's important to thoughly clean the recess that the ring sits in, I use a Stanley blade and a small flat bladed screwdriver.
I've only ever used britpart kits- and never had problems with the rings.
If you don't split the calipers the rings will distort easily because it's difficult to press/knock them in square.
I would never buy new calipers unless what you have are too pitted are something.
Splitting them makes cleaning and painting them easy ( I sandblast them, leaving the old pistons in to mask the bores). New ss pistons and bobs your uncle.

Caliper assembly - pistons included?

clent

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lynall

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Flossie

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dag019

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clent

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frog hopper

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dag019

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agew

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Disco1BFG

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flat

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Flossie

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