[DeTomaso] Fun w/ brakes and questions

[Asa Jay Laughton]

There -is- working room with the caliper in one piece. (both halves  
mated to each other)  If the pistons are stubborn this way, I would  
highly suggest some kind of penetrating liquid be used. I'd spray some  
around the outside and then try to get some on the inside via the  
brake fluid inlet.  Let soak for a day.

In my case, I used a pair of large water-pump pliers.  Again, grip  
-above- the groove as it's non-critical to piston operation.  I got  
lucky, didn't have to use any penetrant -and- used a shop cloth on the  
jaws of the pliers so I didn't do any damage to the lip of the  
pistons.  One suggestion, if they feel like they are getting stuck,  
push them back in and try to rotate while pulling out again.

My pistons were severely glazed and I thought they were shot.  They  
cleaned up -very- nicely though, turned out to be nothing but hardened  
glaze.  No pits, no rust.  The pistons were very smooth, shiny and  
perfectly usable when done.  My point being, no matter how bad they  
look when you first get them out... clean them up good before making  
any judgment on bad versus good.

Good Luck,
Asa Jay
<been there, done that, wrote an article, took some video>

Quoting SOBill at aol.com:

> Konrad,
>
> I found air to be ineffective for completely removing the pistons.  It may
> lift them somewhat. Put a block of wood between the pistons so they  can't
> pop out and use air to get them up as much as you can.
>
> When you remove the dust seals you will see that they were  held in small
> groove. You can move the pistons up somewhat more by using a large
> screwdriver in the groove and prying up on each side.
>
> What finally worked for me ...... sounds crude but actually worked  .....
> take a large vise grip and firmly grip the piston on the part above the  dust
> boot groove. Firmly clamp the vise grip in a bench vise. Slowly rotate and
> pull the caliper off the piston. It's the rotating while you pull that gets
> the  job done. The area of the piston where the vise grip clamps can be
> smoothed out  with a file and is a non- critical area in any case.
>
> I must add that I had my caliper parts separated when I pulled my  pistons,
> so I can't be sure this method has enough working room with the  calipers
> assembled.
>
> Worked for me. Let me know what works for you.
>
> Have fun  today,
>
> sobill at aol.com
>
>
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-- 
Asa Jay Laughton - sent from somewhere other than home
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