Brake caliper rebuild

[Aardvark]

I'm having little luck finding the parts I need for the latest disaster and was wondering if anyone has successfully rebuilt a front brake caliper. I have seen a kit of seals on ebay and could at least get on with part of the job while searching for the rest of the missing stuff. That might be the way to go. How difficult is it? Any special tools needed, etc.?

[Mfr]

No, its fairly easy but make sure that you can move the bleed nipple first, no point rebuilding a calliper that's dead. Here is a great vid on rebuilding a caliper...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4FzXGrSrmU
In the vid he says not to bother because most likely the piston that will be junk but so long as your kit comes with 2 new ones your good (transit has 2 each side). Be very careful installing the dust gaiter, don't use anything sharp that will pierce the rubber. Use a blunt tool. Also you can use a foot pump with a football fitting to get the pistons out. Oh and use a 6 point socket not a 12 point spanner to get the nipple started, sometimes they are just too far gone, if you can fit a new one with a dab of copper grease on the threads to stop air getting back in during bleeding.

Take your time and you will be fine, I have done my folks mondy's all round and its a big saving on new callipers.

[Aardvark]

Thanks for the info. I was beginning to think no one has done it. I have found plenty of new calipers on ebay but they are expensive and no guarantee of getting the right part. The photos are just generic and the sellers probably wouldn't know a Transit from a transvestite so there is no way to be sure what will arrive. I would much rather get a S/H one from a forum member here because you guys are enthusiasts and know what you are doing. The rebuild kit on ebay is about £41 but doesn't come with new pistons. Mine's not seized so I might be OK. Anyway its a lot less money wasted than a new one if it all goes tits up.
The only other parts I managed to find so far is a couple of outer grease/dust caps. Cost me £20 the pair and I hope they will fit. The seller listed them as Mk3/4 but then shows they will fit 1991-2000 so I've got fingers crossed. Thrust washer, hex nut, and locking cage are still just a dream.

[Mfr]

I hate to say it but without replacing the pistons its not worth the bother, I would bet my mortgage on them being pitted just like in the video. I got my parts from biggred they are good and they were very knowledgeable.

http://www.biggred.co.uk/brakecaliperre ... _brk204211 Repair kit

http://www.biggred.co.uk/brakecaliperpiston_brp234208 Pistons

Double check before buying!

If you speak to the them you may well be able to get the parts just for one side although its best to do both if you can.

[Aardvark]

Thanks for the links and advice. Its getting more expensive by the minute. I went out to the van this morning and there's a whacking great crack (about 25cm) right in front of the driver position! Must have caught a stone on the way home the other night in the rain. And then the OH just tells me she's been scammed on Fartbook to the tune of £200!

[Mfr]

Sorry to hear that, by heck what's next?!

[Aardvark]

Brexit

[knoba]

+1 Mfr

Did both mine last year (complete brake system rebuild), enjoyed it, real old skool stuff.

Calipers: stripped, sand blasted castings, smoothrited, pistons were good, bought stainless bleed nipples, new seals and rubbers, & extra red brake grease.

[MinorMatt]

did you not see my post about the calipers? I have a pair of good used ones in my workshop... one has less than 5000 miles on

[Aardvark]

did you not see my post about the calipers? I have a pair of good used ones in my workshop... one has less than 5000 miles on

Yes, I did. On the other thread. I asked you for a price, etc. Its getting confusing with my shopping list split into two threads.

I need the RH one.

[Aardvark]

did you not see my post about the calipers? I have a pair of good used ones in my workshop... one has less than 5000 miles on

Any luck finding the caliper? I'm sorted on everything else except the thrust washer and caliper.

[linsey_young]

+1 on rebuilding being relatively straightforward. Once I realised that the outer dust seal wouldn't fit because the ridge of metal around the opening was in fact part of the old seal and not the casting, it went well. I'd gotten a pair of replacement callipers which turned out to be almost as bad as the ones which were on the van, so had to rebuild. I managed to get four decent pistons out of the two sets of callipers...

[Aardvark]

I'm prepared to to a rebuild but still unable to get hold of a unit to start with. Mine really took a beating and the casting is all chewed up so it would probably be a waste of time doing it.
I'm amazed at how difficult it is becoming to get parts for these vans apart from filters, belts, pads, etc. None in breakers near me and Ford dealers just laugh at this dumb Anglais trying to keep an antique Transit on the road.

[gotgcoalman]

Thought you got sorted on the low milage refurb unit.

If I'd have looked a bit harder yesterday I could have chucked this in the box

IMG_20170209_163949.jpg

IMG_20170209_164021.jpg

IMG_20170209_164047.jpg

I'll soak the pistons overnight and pop them out tomorrow.
Providing the inside of the caliper and pistons aren't as rusty as the outside it's an option.

[Aardvark]

MinorMatt was supposed to be finding me one but Since his posting I haven't heard a peep.
Hold fire a while longer until he surfaces again and maybe I know more, etc.
Was there a problem with DPD collecting the box? The tracking message says there is a problem.