brakes again...

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The Novice
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Bike owned: NC23 NC30 CRM250
Location: West Midlands

brakes again...

Post by The Novice » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:42 am

Everything i touch on this bike gets on my nerves!! its either caked in road dirt and oil from neglect ( i dont like dirt) or its broken/seized.

i have taken the front calipers off to replace seals, clean etc etc but i cant get the caliper pistons out. I have tried blowing compressed air in to the caliper it but the air just escapes back on it self (ie no seal) rather than build up enough pressure. Anyone got any other tips so i can get them out before i hit them hard with a sledgehammer!

pauhh
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Re: brakes again...

Post by pauhh » Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:41 pm

you could try connecting them back up to your brake lines and pumping them until they are nearly out one piston at a time make sure to watch your fingers and support the other piston so it does not push all the way out, failing that you can get piston pliers that sit inside the piston enabling you to get a good grip .
hope this helps, just had thesame problem on my nc23

The Novice
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Re: brakes again...

Post by The Novice » Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:04 pm

Thanks for the reply, i did think that was my last resort but i didnt want brake fluid everywhere. I got em out now anyway.

Tip - (and the pistons were really stuck.)

First caliper -
1. I blocked up the hole in the caliper with a banjo bolt and a load of washers to cover the hole up.
2. Opened up the bleed nipple.
3. Attached a bicycle pump (high pressure stand up one) to the bleed nipple, with a bit of muscle it went on and sealed a treat.
4. Then I pumped it a few times thinking nowt would happen, at approx 200psi I thought i had been shot.......
one piston had literally fired out like a missile, the other hadnt moved.
5. Ended up butchering the other piston with some mole grips to remove it, it eventually came out.

I dont recommend the above as if the piston hits you it will cause damage. I was just lucky it didnt break anything. Also, if one comes out on its own, the other is simply stuck tight and will take a hell of a lot of work to get out.

2nd caliper,
As above for 1, 2 and 3.
4. I put a piece of wood between the caliper body and the piston so one didnt pop on its own again.
5. Pumped a lot, approx 250psi held in there for about 30 secs, released pressure and did it a few times, eventually one piston moved, but not all the way, just to the wood. With a lot more attempts the other piston also freed.
6, released the pump from caliper and prised out the pistons the last (about 5mm) bit with some pliers (with cardboard to protect the pistons.

Job done. I have all new seals and red grease to rebuild as soon as i have cleaned them up, i dont think they have ever had a bit of love and attention like i am going to give em !!

as for new pistons.......... I have ordered these, seem a bargain. thanks to Veefer400 on another thread for the following link.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-nissin-cali ... 500wt_1156

veefer400
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Bike owned: Ducati 900SS, 1978 Cafe 400/4
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Re: brakes again...

Post by veefer400 » Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:13 pm

Just serviced both my front Triarm calipers...

Not easy getting pistons out due to the fact you cant grip them without damaging the outer surface, pumping them out seems the only easy way?

Did have some sucess with these however, now up for grabs!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 091wt_1139

Looked at getting a better tool for getting the things out, Laser do a very efficient (& very expensive...) bike piston remover kit:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-3673-Motorc ... 1601wt_905

Works by expanding a plug inside the piston itself, then using a screw - on slide hammer?

Post - Xmas I cant afford fk all, never mind £80 for a tool I will hardly use?

I'll make my own. :grin:
Image
One M8 x 100mm countersunk bolt with a washer & nut to suit, plus an alloy bung with an 8mm hole, countersunk on the bolt head side, just big enough to fit inside the brake piston - with a cut along its length (not done yet, black line shows where it will be) to allow it to expand inside the piston when the nut is done up...

A nut or handle could be welded onto the other end of the bolt to stop the bolt from rotating when the nut is done up, also to help pull the piston out - failing that two flats could be filed on the end to enable it to be held in a vice so you can pull the caliper off the piston! ;)

Should work no prob... the random alloy bung I found in my garage, just happened to be exactly the right size...

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