My brake pedal was pushed (hard) several times with the calipers not pushing against any rotors (rotors were off the car and calipers hanging). Brake fluid has leaked out of the calipers and the piston is fully extended.

I'm worried something has been torn/broken/ruined but I'm not sure. I'm not really sure what to do - should I just push the caliper in and install everything up and go from there? The fluid coming out of the piston boot area tell me there is a problem.

What kind of damage could this have caused? Do I need a rebuild?


Modified by Flux at 7:36 PM 9/20/2005

 

Anybody?

 

its probably the inner seal leaking on the piston try to push it back in and see if its ok, make sure it goes back in the bore straight, if it still leaks you need new seals

 

clean it up, re-install the piston, install the caliper/pads/rotor, pump the brakes with the car on and see if it leaks.

 

I can't get the damn pistons back in....
Today has really sucked.

 

I was just about to say what Dr. said but you can't get it back in... did you try a c-clamp?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bbasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was just about to say what Dr. said but you can't get it back in... did you try a c-clamp?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I can't get them back in with the c-clamp.

edit: well, the pistons are stuck in the bore for some reason (more of my stupidity I'm sure). They will not budge. Any other suggestions?


Modified by Flux at 8:20 PM 9/20/2005

 

u will prolly have to replace the calipers, they will usally leak if u can get the pistons back in, i dont think calipers are expensive, after all i think the type r calipers are the same as accords and preludes

 

Make sure you're pushing the piston in squarely. If it starts going into the bore at a less than perfect angle, it will jam. Just be patient and use firm, not excessive pressure (no c-clamps ). If necessary, disconnect the caliper and take it to a work bench where you can handle it more easily.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trc_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">u will prolly have to replace the calipers, they will usally leak if u can get the pistons back in, i dont think calipers are expensive, after all i think the type r calipers are the same as accords and preludes </TD></TR></TABLE>

Replace the calipers? I would think (and hope) that a rebuild would be all that is required in a worst case scenario...

 

The C-clamp was probably a bad idea because the piston can **** and jam. You need to check both the piston and the caliper bore for damage. You may need to hone the bore of the caliper. To get the piston out, perhaps hit the brakes again with a piece of wood to catch the piston. I would open the bleeder when trying to reinstall the piston. You already have air in your lines anyway.

I just rebuilt my calipers about a month ago. I recall the dust boot giving me some problems.

 

Well, my piston has jammed. God, sometimes I doin't know why I even do this...

Caliper is off the car. Any way to get the piston out now? I'm thinking of cutting my loses and just taking the calipers to my mechanic...

 

like said before, either rebuild the caliper or replace. I had to replace the calipers on my toyota due to leakage.

calipers ususally arent that expensive.

 

Put ice in the piston and dunk the caliper in boiling water. It may free it.

 

I have one caliper completely apart withe piston out, the other caliper won't even come apart at all.

New calipers are about $165/each from Sunnyside...

I appreciate all the advice guys.

 

You need to heat the caliper while keeping the piston cool. This will expand the caliper slightly and possibly provide the clearance that you need for removal of the piston.

You could heat the caliper in your oven to 300 deg. F (put aluminum foil under it)and then apply ice to the piston after the caliper is thoroughly hot (30-60 minutes). With this clearance, you could possibly bump the piston out with a drift inserted through the brake hose hole. Be careful not to damage the threads.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dogginator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need to heat the caliper while keeping the piston cool. This will expand the caliper slightly and possibly provide the clearance that you need for removal of the piston.

You could heat the caliper in your oven to 300 deg. F (put aluminum foil under it)and then apply ice to the piston after the caliper is thoroughly hot (30-60 minutes). With this clearance, you could possibly bump the piston out with a drift inserted through the brake hose hole. Be careful not to damage the threads.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the advice - I appreciate it. I may just give Len a call tomorrow and get some new calipers...

 

If you have an air compressor, pump air into the brake line hole of the caliper. Be sure to have a wooden block to catch the piston if it flies out. This really ought to work.

 

O'Reilly's should have them cheaper and quicker...

 

Why don't you just do the Legend brake caliper upgrade?

 

Some people don't consider Legend calipers to be an upgrade. I've observed that Legend dual pistons offer more even pad wear, but ITR calipers have more clamping force.

 

This may be a stupid question. Are the Reman calipers I can get at Autozone the exact same as the calipers I would get from the dealership? Are they full assemblies ready to bolt on to the car?

http://www1.autozone.com/servl...C%7EB

 

exact same = doubt it.

but they are what I will be installing on my car soon.

 

I got reman'd ones from Pep Boys for $39.95 each when I did an upgrade on our old Accord. They had the same markings as my OEM ITR calipers. Only word of caution is to paint them prior to installation. They looked nice when installed, but quickly rusted and became ugly

 

I think I'm going to end up just takling the calipers I have to my mechanic and have him disassemble/inspect/reassemble. Any reason not to just do this?


Modified by Flux at 12:16 PM 9/21/2005