Griffdowg

Griffdowg

New Member
I decided to start on the brakes today to sort my MOT out. managed to get the flexi hoses out (although the top olives are stuck fast) got the brake pads out (with a hammer) and managed to get the psitons back into the caliper on one side, but not the other.

because the new pads are wayyyy thicker than the 3mm i had on the rest of them (less than 1.5mm in one case!) i cant get them in without pushing the pistons back. the one side i did manage, there was little room and i can just about rotate the disk. its like the brakes are stuck. the other side i cannot budge 2 of the pistons and therefore cannot get the pads in.

question is, do i service 1 or both calipers? is it an arse of a job? do i just fork out for 2 new calipers... jesus! their £85 each + VAT!

seal kit is cheap enough, even if i buy 4 new pistons. i dont mind doing that. how long will it take?

Cheers!

G
 
personally, I wouldn't fook about. I'd just buy 2 new calipers (& flexis).
I wouldn't take shortcuts with brakes.
jmho
 
Treworgey 90 said:
personally, I wouldn't fook about. I'd just buy 2 new calipers (& flexis).
I wouldn't take shortcuts with brakes.
jmho
Click to expand...

do you not think the srvice kit would suffice? is it just like the master cylinder kit "better to buy a complete unit" senario?

so i take it, if the pistons dont retract fully back into the caliper houing then i need to do something about it?

Hmmmmmm...

Killnorton, i see you got some PAS boxes on flea-bay ;) would you do £40/pair posted?

G
 
I've got vented discs and calipers to suit sitting here for sale. Good quality parts - calipers are in top condition having just been rebuilt.

PM me if your intrested.
 
Griffdowg said:
so i take it, if the pistons dont retract fully back into the caliper houing then i need to do something about it?G
Click to expand...
yes!
when the pistons won't go back, it's usually because they're corroded. you can usually get them to go back by slackening the bleed nipple and applying a big pair of grips or a g-clamp. problem is, the seal is then going to be sitting on a corroded bit of the piston and will start leaking.

as a minimum, replace seals and piston, but i reckon it's still easier to replace the whole caliper.
try yer local auto factors - you may find they're cheaper than you think.
 
Cheers Tre, i thought as much, just wanted to confirm so i didnt waste too much $$$

disco, whats the part number on the calipers and will they run non-vented disks as i dont want to start changing them too!

cheers guys.

G
 
If yer go for the replacement seals an pistons it can be a bit of a **** putting the seal retaining ring things in. An I'd get the pukka seals rather than Crapdocks pattern ones, the last pattern ones I got had a reaction with the brake fluid and swelled up causing the pistons to lock solid, I replaced them with genuine ones and everything was hunky dory.
 
thanks for your input grunt. seal kit with 4 pistons from crap-cocks is around £20. i can get one replacement caliper from M&M for about £50. how much are genuine seal kits? the offside calper isnt looking too bad now. once i drained the fluid i got 3 out of 4 right back in with the 4th nearly there. enough to get the pads in although they do rub a little.

will see how much disco wants for his. there aint nothing on beee-gay!

G
 
am pretty sure calipers on defenders are the same as the ldv van ones there could be a difference in price
 
cheers grunt. it now looks like im parting with £70 for discomania's pair.

what do i do with the old ones? sort out a seal kit and sell them on? bin em?

who knows. i also got a knackered steering box, starter motor and alternator that could prob be reserected!

G
 
you could sell the starter & alternator to somewhere that recons em. better than scrapping em.
 
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