[Fot] Brake Caliper Replacement Parts

[N197TR4 at cs.com]

Does the current state of parts quality in brake parts promote an argument 
for Toyota Conversions? Then it becomes an issue of safety rather than 
performance.

I think I also came across a story of some aftermarket brake pistons 
(steel, stainless steel, chromed?) with a small sharp edge that cut the embedded 
seals. 

Leaky systems with new parts doesnt sound very good. 

It can say Lucas or Girling on the box, but I suspect that that they might 
still be substandard. And perhaps we need to look at the pistons under a 
magnifying glass for very small sharp machined edges or burrs.

We have been having more issues with seals not lasting in the TR4...I 
suspect we need to go back and look more closely at the components, but what do 
you do with substandard seals?

I know that Jack went back and forth on the Toyota conversions, but I cant 
remember the details. His final answer was to use the Toyotas and it wasnt a 
performance related issue, I dont think. 

Important thread. Thanks.

I am not trying to make an argument for Toyota conversions, btw....just 
making observations.

Joe A


> Good point.  I had a discussion with Jack Drews regarding the seals from
> Moss and he questioned whether or not they were the same "type" as the
> original because they only seemed to last about one or maybe two seasons.
> We've had the same problem.  I put stainless steel pistons in but we get 
> the
> seals "weeping" when the car stands for any amount of time, ultimately
> draining all the brake fluid out, like over winter.  Under pressure they
> seem to be sealing just fine, the level stays up in the reservoir during a
> weekends event.  We may have to add some fluid due to pad wear (we have the
> small style master on the front and back of a dual master system) during a
> weekend but that's all.  I did notice some unusual "staining" on the
> stainless pistons when we changed the seals last year.  Doesn't look like
> actual scoring.  Anybody else seen this with the stainless pistons?  I can
> e-mail photos, which don't really do a good job of showing what it looks
> like, if anyone is interested.
> 
> Tim
> 

</HTML>