Caliper Rebuild Help Needed

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Dec 25, 2006 | 09:01 PM

cujo8

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From: Williamson, NY

Caliper Rebuild Help Needed

Well during my frame off restoration of my 77 F150, I decided to rebuild my front calipers. I sandblasted the castings and then painted them with some high heat silver paint. I tried to reassemble the piston, seal. and dust boot, but I am having trouble getting the piston back into its bore. I first cleaned the piston bore with clean brake fluid and lubed the piston seal with clean brake fluid and inserted it into the groove in the piston bore. I then fitted the dust boot over the piston in such a way that the lower boot ring was below the piston. I then fitted the lower ring of the dust boot into the upper groove in the piston bore and this where I run into problems. I can't seem to make the piston go down past the lower seal done into its bore. Even w/o the seal and dust boot this is a tight fit for the piston and piston bore. Anyone one of a trick to getting the piston back down into the caliper? A soon as I can get these calipers rebuilt and on the truck I can get the front wheels back onto my truck, which will be another cool moment in this frame off restoration project. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give. Happy Holidays All!

Jim

Dec 26, 2006 | 07:34 PM

cujo8

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From: Williamson, NY

Well I was able to get the Calipers together today and they are on the truck now. I used a piece of wood and I was able to tap the pistons into their bores.

Dec 28, 2006 | 05:06 PM

rebocardo

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From: Atlanta GA

FWIW: If you used a piece of wood on both sides, you should have been able to get the piston in with even pressure. If it does not fit into a 6" vise you can always use a 8" C-clamp.

Dec 28, 2006 | 05:57 PM

cujo8

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From: Williamson, NY

I tried a deep reach bar clamp from my wood shop, but it was hard to get to go in square. What I ended up doing was to use a piece of 3/4 x 1-1/4 x 12" pine board I had laying around and after getting the piston all squared up with the dust boot orientated correctly I inserted the wood end wise down into the piston cup. I then gently tapped the piston straight down into the caliper until it bottomed out. I was surprised it worked that easy after I struggled so hard earlier trying to press it in. Just remember that you need to have either the bleed screw or banjo bolt hole open, so the air can escape.