Tip for brake caliper piston removal
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- Chrome Member
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Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I tore my brake master cylinder and calipers down today. You need a soft-jawed vise but I only have the aluminum-destroying version of vice jaws. My solution was to clamp a large Jorgensen wood vise into my vise, then clamp the part I was working on into the Jorgensen clamp. It worked great.
In order to keep the piston from flying out as a projectile, I put a block of wood in between the piston top and caliper bracket. As the piston worked its way out a bit, I decreased the dimension of the free space between the piston top and the free world so it wouldn't just shoot out and take me out with it.
If I had my SD card in my camera phone I would have taken a pic, but I can if anyone wants.
In order to keep the piston from flying out as a projectile, I put a block of wood in between the piston top and caliper bracket. As the piston worked its way out a bit, I decreased the dimension of the free space between the piston top and the free world so it wouldn't just shoot out and take me out with it.
If I had my SD card in my camera phone I would have taken a pic, but I can if anyone wants.
Terry
(2) 1975 GL 1000
97 VFR 750
07 CRF 250x
(2) 1975 GL 1000
97 VFR 750
07 CRF 250x
- IndianaJohn
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I usually just do it on the bike. Unbolt the caliper and let it hang, then just use the master to pump the piston out. Just did this on the 750 a couple of weeks ago. Of course I overhauled the master first.
IJ
Stupid people shouldn't breed.
75 CB750
76 GL1000
82 Yamaha XV920J Virago
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Stupid people shouldn't breed.
75 CB750
76 GL1000
82 Yamaha XV920J Virago
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- Cookie
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
Some of those are amazingly stuck though. I've had a long sitter just blow the master. I have been lucky enough not to have had to go the grease gun method yet.
Enjoy life,
Cookie
A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad.
Owner of 4.4 76s and one lone 75 Wings (does a spare engine make .2?)
Cookie
A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad.
Owner of 4.4 76s and one lone 75 Wings (does a spare engine make .2?)
- IndianaJohn
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
Never had to resort to that method either, but I have heard of people doing so. I've used air in the past and decided pumping them out with the master was safer. But if that failed, I might have to go with the grease gun, tho I would dread the clean-up afterward.Cookie wrote:Some of those are amazingly stuck though. I've had a long sitter just blow the master. I have been lucky enough not to have had to go the grease gun method yet.
IJ
Stupid people shouldn't breed.
75 CB750
76 GL1000
82 Yamaha XV920J Virago
81 Yamaha XV750 Virago (parts)
Stupid people shouldn't breed.
75 CB750
76 GL1000
82 Yamaha XV920J Virago
81 Yamaha XV750 Virago (parts)
- Cookie
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
Air just made noise on the last couple until I boiled them. The rear took boiling twice. At least I didn't have to deep fat fry them!
Enjoy life,
Cookie
A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad.
Owner of 4.4 76s and one lone 75 Wings (does a spare engine make .2?)
Cookie
A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad.
Owner of 4.4 76s and one lone 75 Wings (does a spare engine make .2?)
- milesoffun
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I used the grease method and it was not near as bad to clean up as I thought it would be - 10 minutes and I was good to go.
MilesOfFun
80 GL1100 - Yellow (Got wet due to Huricane Sally - gonna give it a try!)
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
take both apart and use the master cylinder on both at same time... till they get to the end...
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- DocRoot
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
Sprout and I just did mine (barnfind 1100) which were amazingly corroded and stuck, and it was no-muss, no-fuss, well, maybe just a little muss:I have been lucky enough not to have had to go the grease gun method yet.
Last edited by DocRoot on Sun Jun 16, 2019 5:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- DocRoot
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
We used the banjo and plugged it with a short piece of copper #14 wire with a bit of the insulation still attached, stuffed up the center and then screwed back in.
You can see the amount of grease the two sides took altogether.
You can see the amount of grease the two sides took altogether.
Appreciate good people: they are hard to come by.
- DocRoot
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
The best part of the grease-gun method is that they come apart with no drama. The HUGE pressure of a grease gun is backed up by really low volume so when things let go it is in millimeters, not with a pop or bang... Things ooze, they don't squirt.
Now it's off the the ultrasonic cleaner for some R&R.
Now it's off the the ultrasonic cleaner for some R&R.
Appreciate good people: they are hard to come by.
- pidjones
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I've done grease gun, air, and master. I think my favorite is actually the grease gun. A little kerosene bath for it after...
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
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Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- tomk1960
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
If air doesn't work, this is the method I use that ALWAYS works, every time. And no greasy mess to clean up afterwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHvIA_--BAs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHvIA_--BAs
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
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1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I had to do it.IndianaJohn wrote:Never had to resort to that method either, but I have heard of people doing so. I've used air in the past and decided pumping them out with the master was safer. But if that failed, I might have to go with the grease gun, tho I would dread the clean-up afterward.Cookie wrote:Some of those are amazingly stuck though. I've had a long sitter just blow the master. I have been lucky enough not to have had to go the grease gun method yet.
Cleanup wasn't really that bad.
A can of Brake Kleen easily did the trick.
78 GL1000 Original Owner 131k
- pidjones
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
I'd much rather deal with the grease than more brake fluid.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- Rat
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Re: Tip for brake caliper piston removal
You have to clean them anyway ....
Gord(greasey)Jones
Gord(greasey)Jones
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‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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