Suspension and Brakes Springs, shocks, coilovers, sways, braces, brakes, etc.

Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed

Old 09-25-13, 06:52 PM
  #1  
1WILLY1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
1WILLY1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: toronto
Posts: 5,083
Received 192 Likes on 136 Posts
Default Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed

Hello again guys,

My two front calipers are sticking very badly so I sourced a used set.

I squeezed the pistons in and they moved a little bit and squeezed out some fluid, so i think they are better then my current set, but they are still pretty stiff.

my question is can i take out these pistons without damaging the rubber seals ? So I can clean them up and clean the inner housing ? To try to get them moving as freely as possible?(picture 1)

Or will removing the pistons from the housing require me to buy brand new gaskets and seals etc..?

Also im planning on doing this caliper swap myself, and I don't think I need to swap the entire set up, just the housing that holds the pistons,(picture 3)

It looks like its held on only by the two bolts I have circled and then the brake line bolt as well, is there anything im missing?(picture 2)

Sorry guys when it comes to mechanics I am useless, just trying to learn a bit and save some money by doing the job myself.

If someone could take a little time to help me out a bit I would be really grateful.

Thanks
Attached Thumbnails Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed-dsc_0420.jpg   Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed-dsc_0421.jpg   Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed-dsc_0422.jpg  
Old 09-25-13, 08:31 PM
  #2  
1WILLY1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
1WILLY1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: toronto
Posts: 5,083
Received 192 Likes on 136 Posts
Default

nevermind guys, i got them apart, used vice grips to move the pistons around, they seem to be very stiff but they are not stuck like my other set.

Thanks
Old 09-26-13, 03:24 AM
  #3  
uras300
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
 
uras300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: HI
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

If you want to remove the pistons, remove the bolt that is connected to brake line and shoot compressed air into the hole. The trick is to wedge a wooden block in front of pistons so they come out at the same time.

Also, I recommend replacing all the rubber seals/gaskets and inspect the condition of pistons for signs of wear/rust while you have the calipers off the car.
Old 09-26-13, 12:51 PM
  #4  
1WILLY1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
1WILLY1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: toronto
Posts: 5,083
Received 192 Likes on 136 Posts
Default

thanks man ^^^

what i did was just work them side to side and in and out with a pair of vice grips, they move pretty stiff but I can push them back in with my fingers, so from what my mechanic told me they SHOULD be ok.

Im gonna try to swap the calipers myself today, hopefully i don't run into any issues, i always do though.

ive had trouble sourcing a rebuild kit here so thats why i was wondering if I could do a good cleaning without it.

Last edited by 1WILLY1; 09-26-13 at 12:55 PM.
Old 09-26-13, 03:35 PM
  #5  
1WILLY1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
1WILLY1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: toronto
Posts: 5,083
Received 192 Likes on 136 Posts
Default

yea this is why I just don't bother anymore, no matter how simple the task there is always some kind of problem.

So I swapped the new calipers in, that was surprisingly easy, took like 5 minutes, tightened everything up and thought I was done, 3 bolts each side, what can possibly go wrong here?

Well the brakes don't stick now and grab much better then before but now they lose pressure, I need to pump 3 times to get them to work.

Do they need to be bled? there are no leaks from what i can see.
Old 09-26-13, 03:44 PM
  #6  
tjmhillz
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (6)
 
tjmhillz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Sounds like you have air in your lines which is normal when you disconnect the lines. Just simply bleed the system and you will be fine. Another easy task
Old 09-26-13, 04:09 PM
  #7  
1WILLY1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
1WILLY1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: toronto
Posts: 5,083
Received 192 Likes on 136 Posts
Default

thanks buddy ^^^
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stigiv
Suspension and Brakes
0
06-02-19 01:03 PM
antnice333
Suspension and Brakes
13
05-21-10 12:08 AM
Pinkskunk
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
7
03-11-10 01:16 AM
klvaleri
GS - 1st Gen (1993-1997)
1
08-31-09 07:07 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Sorry guys, basic caliper help needed



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:46 AM.