Item Subject: cc:Mail Text
Jim:
Stay in touch - I just took the calipers off my TR3a and the pistons
are stuck. I expect to get at this job this weekend. I would recommend
doing the rebuilds yourself - I have rebuilt these using the kits many
times over the years and it's not tough. The hardest part is indeed
getting the pistons out. I know several methods of dealing with this,
but have just discovered the best one yet (and have had success in the
last couple of days doing it to both master cylinders):
1. Go to your local auto parts store, determine which counter person
is the friendliest, least harried one of the bunch, and get a brake
line that will fit into your caliper where the one from the car
normally goes.
2. On the other end, get whatever fittings and adapters you need to
end up with a grease fitting connected to the piece of brake line.
(This is where the ffriendliness of the guy comes in). Be aware that
grease fittings have a tapered thread though, so don't be tempted to
screw it into anything expensive (like your caliper).
3. Put it together, apply your grease gun, and voila! Out pop the
pistons. (You'll have to clamp one while forcing out the other.)
The secret to why this works is that grease guns apply a huge amount
of pressure.
Additional notes: First, I found that all connections must be really
tight, or the grease will want to leak out in all the wrong places.
Second, you will end up with a mess of grease. I haven't cleaned mine
up yet but am hoping Dunk will work. Third, it's the surface of the
pistons that's critical. If they're scratched up or the chrome is
peeling, get new ones.
Be careful when ordering your rebuild kits; there were a lot of
different versions of these calipers around this time.
Let me know how it goes. If this method doesn't work I kow of more
drastic approaches.
Regards,
Jim Wallace
'60 TR3a TS81417
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Date: 26 Jun 97 15:07:00 -0400
From: jfitton@lucent.com
Subject: TR3A brakes
Im new to the list.
My TR3A front brakes dont work.
I think the pistons are frozen in the (hydraulic) cylinders.
Shall I try to take off the calipers, free the pistons,
and get a rebuild kit, or are there "whole" rebuilt
caliper units for sale anywhere ?
Thanks
Jim Fitton - Salem NH
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