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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Caliper pistons

I'm having trouble fitting new seals and pistons into my calipers as I don't want to split the calipers apart. First i put the inner seal in then the piston and then i thread the dust seal with the metal ring around the piston and use a plate to apply even pressure to push it in, but each time the metal ring doesn't insert properly and get's ruined. Is there a trick to doing this?

Thanks
Alex
Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

Rebuilding calipers is Not a very common topic here.

My guess is maybe some corrosion build up (brake fluid and iron calipers plus air)... the piston should just slide in as it has to move freely back and forth to funtion properly

Are you use the mild steel pistons or the stainless steel aftermarkets

Just for grins, have you tryed mic'ing the inside and the out side and see what the variance is

Might try rolling the piston across a table top to see if its out of round or dinged

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I have also had trouble in the past with some of the rebuild kits available.

I think I had to reshape the retainer slightly, as the outer diameter seemed just a little too big to fit into the groove properly.
Dave O'Neill 2

Right, the inside of the calipers are rinsed of dirt and free of corrosion, the pistons are new and anodized. I've got one in to each caliper and have now got a few extra rebuild kits if i break any more retainers, will do as Dave says and try to trim them in a bit.
Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

Sorry to hear you bought the parts already.
But why on earth would you buy the parts to do it your self when the parts alone cost more than half of a brand new caliper!?


A new (not rebuilt) caliper that comes with stst pistons costs 50 quid
All parts together are around the 35/40 quid mark.

I am all for recycling and pending less etc, but with a safety feature like brakes don't skimp next time.
Onno K

Soooo Onno,

Are you saying you also wouldnt re-line your own brake pads.

Ah ... tis tis tis

Hahaha

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I rebuilt mine with stainless steel pistons; they'll last forever now.

I found putting the retainers in the freezer just shrunk them enough to help getting them in a bit easier.
Rob Armstrong

Onno your right, unfortunately i didn't know that until after i bought all the gear.

Rob that's a good idea, thanks!
Alexander Sorby Wigstrom

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2014 and 17/09/2014

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