Hi Pat,
You have absolutely nothing to fear. Rebuilding your own calipers is one of
the easiest repairs you can do in just a couple of hours, particularly since
you say the pistons are moving. The real hassle is when the pistons are
frozen, but even that can be overcome with compressed air or by connecting a
grease gun to the inlet (you have to clean the grease out of the calipers
thoroughly when the pistons are extracted, but this method really does work --
and a lot safer than using compressed air when the pistons are stuck). But
again, you don't have that problem. Count your blessings.
Check the pistons for scoring or pitting while you have them out. If there's
any sort of irregularity in the pistons at all, it's best to replace them.
They're inexpensive and you may find that your piece of mind warrants the
additional cost. I think I paid $10 each for the four pistons that were
required to do both calipers on my Spitfire.
You don't need to have the calipers bead blasted. You can use a wire brush
instead, with excellent results.
For a detailed step by step "how to" on rebuilding your calipers, check this
link if you like:
http://www.totallytriumph.net/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=4&;
forum=DCForumID45
It includes before and after photos. Good luck!
Take care,
Jeff McNeal (San Diego)
'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
'68 LHD Spitfire Mk3 project
Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
http://www.TotallyTriumph.net/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
Join the TOTALLY TRIUMPH NETWORK!
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----- Original Message -----
From: Catchpole, Pat
To: 'Spitfires'
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2001 2:13 AM
Subject: Brake Caliper Reconditioning
I have a pair of front brake calipers off the GT6 that need reconditioning.
The outer seals are all perished, and they haven't been used for about 5
years. I did think about trying to do the job myself as new seal kits are
quite cheap (under 15GBP) and the pistons move out when pressure is
applied.
A recon. caliper costs 50 ~ 60GBP depending which supplier you use. Even
if
I replaced the seals myself I would still have to get them blasted
somewhere
before painting. It doesn't seem worth all the hassle.
I have spoken to a few of the regular parts suppliers that I buy from on a
regular basis and it appears that they always send the calipers on to
somewhere else for the actual refurb. - they just act as intermediaries.
Does anyone know who actually does this *in the UK*. I have searched the
web and Yell but have not found anything.
I know it appears that my motive is to save a few quid, but what I save
here
will be spent on some other parts - it is just trying to allocate limited
cash in the best way.
Does anyone have any hints / advice / warnings about doing the recon.
myself?
Pat
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