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Brake calipers. When
I got the car, I had to immediately install rotors & discs. I
did it quickly - it's not a hard job except for the dust cap removal
which the 2 hammer method solved. Just for fun, try a search on
dust cap removal & you find some incredibly inventive ways to
accomplish this task. For some reason, guys will go to great
lengths to avoid the very simple & effective 2 hammer method.
If you don't know, put the claw of 1 hammer on the 'seam' of the dust
cap & gently tap the business end & it will start to come out.
Repeat around the cap & it will pop off.
But I'm deviating. When I reassembled the brakes, I noted a torn
boot on the driver's side caliper on both pistons. I also noted a
leftward pull on hard braking and I knew I would have to deal with it
sooner rather than later. Interesting to note that the driver's
side seems to be more common for sticking than the passenger side.
There are good write-ups in Wayne's 101 as well as a good Tech article
on the Pelican site 911
Caliper Rebuild so I won't duplicate their work, but just add my
personal insights.
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| My insights: |
Do yourself a favor
& get some oil line wrenches. You may regret not getting
them.
Air is mandatory for removing sticky pistons. Have a couple of
sizes of C clamps available for holding the opposing piston in 'just
enough' to blast the other one out. Watch your pinkies because
it FIRES out.
Mount the calipers with the bleed screw at the top. I didn't
at first & had bleeding hell. Or at the very least it was
a contributing factor to bleeding hell.
Speaking of bleeding, if you have one of the suction type of
bleeders, throw it out & get the Motive pressure type. If
you insist on using it, use thread sealer (or someone suggested
grease) on the bleeder threads or you will suck air. For hours
& hours. I know. Even speed bleeders will suck air
through the threads.
The 2 person brake pump bleeding method is still the best.
The brakes will work fine - without squeaks - if you don't align the
piston slot. I ran mine for a while completely reversed &
they worked great.
Brake fluid is nasty stuff.
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Update:
I was never happy with the passenger
caliper. The driver's front locked several times on panic stops,
throwing the light of suspicion onto the passenger side. I knew the
A arm bushing was shot too which also might contribute but I sensed a
problem. One of the pistons had a small horizontal mark. I
lovingly sanded it down with 1000 grit wet & dry. This is not
strong sandpaper, so it took a while but it is now feeling better. I
was able to reuse the piston gaskets.
I also ponied up & got a Motive Bleeder which made the bleeding a
breeze. Just remember to pinch off the overflow.
The brakes feel more secure now.
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