Brian,
It's not clear (at least to me<G>) if you're saying the calipers are
pitted, or if it's the pistons that are pitted. If it's the exterior of
the calipers rather than the piston bore or the pistons themselves, this
can be cleaned up and then you can paint or powder coat the calipers.
However if it's the piston bores you probably ought to replace the whole
unit, or just the pistons if they're the only things pitted.
Can't remember if the calipers are iron as oposed to aluminum, but I know
they are iron on the 510. The rear wheel cylinders, along with the brake
and clutch masters and the clutch slave, are aluminum, which doesn't like
any water in the system hence Tom's suggestion to flush the system
frequently. Once the bores on these aluminum parts start to pit don't
waste your time trying to rebuild them.
FWIW,
Ron
___________________________________
>IMHO, it's better to bite the bullet and replace them. If there is some
>slight pitting, you can clean them up and lube them with caliper lubricant
>(it comes with the rebuild kit). They'll work for a while, but eventually
>the pits will cause wear and tear on the rubber seals, and they'll also
>trap contaminants. Probably good for a year or so (what I've seen on my
>car). If you clean them once a year you may be able to get by with them for
>years.
>
>Whatever you do, follow Tom Walter's advice and bleed your brake system
>every
>fall, or twice if you can - beginning of winter and spring. Don't wait for
>the
>fluid to turn dark brown.
>>I just popped the pistons from all four brake caliper assemblies to see
>>if they are worth saving, trouble is, I'm not sure how to judge weather
>>they are usable. There is surface rust on all four, but after scrubbing
>>on it a little with some Scotch Brite and WD-40, most of the rust cleans
>>up pretty easily. There was just some specs left. I didn't see any major
>>pitting, but the rust has caused some very very slight pitting. Can the
>>calipers be used with very slight pitting? If so, how well do I need to
>>hit the surface, and does anybody have any recommendations on what
>>technique to use?
>>
>>I am almost considering just replacing the units, but if they are good
>>enough to be used, that would save some cash down the road. Any advise
>>would be greatly appreciated.
Ronnie Day
ronday@home.com
ronnie_day@acd.org
___________
The ACL Group
Arlington, Texas
(817) 572-0873
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