freeing off brake calipers

[chris_rf600r]

hi all does anyone know of an easy way to free off brake calipers besides taking them apart as ive never done it an dont want to risk buggering the caliper up completely at the moment i have it partly submerged in thinners to try and free off the pistons is this ok as im hoping it will sort out over night due to a good soaking

[spikenipple]

Take the pads off, put a G clamp on the piston(s) (one at a time of course) and gently tighten the clamp up. [/i]
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C50 > GN250 > XJ600 > SV650S K7 > 2001 RSV Mille R > MT-09, XR400R > 2005 Fireblade (trackbike) + 2022 MT-09 + ZXR400 race bike

[Kickstart]

Hi

To be honest best to take them apart. Also depends on whether it is the pistons that have seized (and if so why) or the caliper pins that it slides on.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Phil_P]

[Ichy]

No use at all but I was just wondering what the thinners might do to the paint on the callipers and the seals?

The hydraulic system used by the braking system tends to be the best way of releasing a seized piston. I tend to take the pads out and put a piece of wood in one calliper to lock the pistons in place then pump away.

If you do use a g clamp then put a piece of wood against the body to stop any damage.

To be honest I find it quicker to strip and separate the calliper body then use my compressor to blow the pistons out. If anyone tries it then be warned, the pistons will take your head off if your not careful

[spikenipple]

[chris_rf600r]

its a suzuki p reg RF600R NISIN caliper twin pot if that helps i got one of the pistons turning inside its barrel but the other seems to not wnt to budge out
and the paint is fie its not a harsh thinners just enough to try and free off whatever is stiff but who told me i could use the brake system itself? im thinking of trying that now

[Kickstart]

Hi

It is a twin pot sliding caliper. How have you got a piston to turn in its bore? If you are gripping it with pliers then the chances are you have just damaged the piston.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[chris_rf600r]

pistons fine i turned it with a socket inside it has not done anything atm im tryin to blee the buggers back through
but so far no luck
one of the pistons is stuck so im gonna bleed em back wedge bit of wood under the free one to try and force other one out if that works

[Kickstart]

Hi

Use a couple of G clamps to hold the pistons from popping out and pump them out a bit at a time (eg, pump them out to the G clamps, release the G clamps a bit and repeat). Otherwise likely the most free piston will just pop out first. Once the pistons are out then clean them up thoroughly. Pop the seals out carefully and clean the grooves they sit in. Preferably put new seals in.

Normal problem is that corrosion builds up behind the seals and forces them out to jam the pistons.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Ichy]

It works just takes patience. Your going to end up with brake fluid everywhere so make sure you got loads of old rags and a bottle of the correct fluid for when you have it all back together.

[chris_rf600r]

hi mission accomplished caliper has freed off and bike is easier to move just gotta set a couple of things up on it but i did what ya said with a piece of wood instead putting pressure on both at same time ive had both out, all the barrels and seals look perfectly fine just a tiny bit of black sticky gunk on sides of the pistons and a teny bit inside barrels but all clean and works fine now