Rear Caliper Rebuild

[DMECMAnderson]

I bought a font and rear caliber seal kit from IAP and set off this weekend to overhaul my calipers. The front one went relatively smooth, following closely to the manuals I have. The rear calipers have so far been way harder . I have no idea what kind of screwdriver fits in the "slot" on the caliper, but even if I had on with an adequate blade it would not have been usefull. I had to "turn" off the piston using channel locks. I've got it all cleaned up, I put in the new seal for the piston and have been absolutely unable to get the piston to re-engage the screw. The seal is so tight, I can't get the piston down the saft to mate with the screw. I've tried to "press" it past the gasket with a vice, but as soon as I let pressure off the vice the piston pops back out.

I'm at wits end and about to give up and buy calipers. Before I give up has anyone overhauled the rear calipers? How did you get the piston to engage in the screw?

[ventura ace]

The piston should go past the seal fairly easily. If not, I would suspect that you've been given the wrong seals, or perhaps there is crud in the seal grooves that needs to be cleaned out better. Were the grooves fairly clean, or did you need to spend a lot of effort cleaning them? My experience has been that it takes quite a bit of effort to clean the grooves and surface corrosion, to the extent where I've usually wondered if it was really worth it and thought that I may have been better off buying new ones! I'd take the seal out again to see if you have everything cleaned and smooth underneath, and that the seal is fully installed into the groove. If there is any signicant build up of corrosion or pitting, it's may never seal off properly anyway.

Alvon

[manoa matt]

Try wiping some brake fluid on the seal and around the piston before screwing it in. Here is a good article about rebuilding the rear brakes: http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/re ... lipers.htm.

[DMECMAnderson]

Based on the earlier comment, I tried to clean out the seal indent a little better, but I really could not get to it with the Screw in the middle. I've been using the brake fluid as lubricant (perhaps I should try some Sex Oil!! )

I started to take apart the lever system, but noted the high compression on the spring and stopped... I knew I was in trouble getting it back together!!! The illustrations you have provided really help! I think I'll give it another college try, tearing down the entire system, and using a dremel tool to get at the seal indents a little better.

I've already determined if I fail, I'm out $100 for rebuilds... Thats not the end of the world.

[mbouse]

for what it's worth, i have done both.

the amount of frustration is not worth the cost difference between quality rebuilds and DIY rebuilt units.

[NickSpider]

for what it's worth, i have done both.

the amount of frustration is not worth the cost difference between quality rebuilds and DIY rebuilt units.

how long does a diy rebuid take per caliper?

[manoa matt]

Fronts took me about 20 min each. Rears took me about 1 hour each. But that is because I cleaned the parts realy well. The last shot in the mirafiori article of the completed rebuilt caliper looked like mine before I took it off. Its actually not as hard as you think it is. Just follow the directions on the mirafiori link above and make sure everything is assembiled in the same order it was taken apart. If you can rebuild a carburator then the rear brakes are a piece of cake.

[NickSpider]

Fronts took me about 20 min each. Rears took me about 1 hour each. But that is because I cleaned the parts realy well. The last shot in the mirafiori article of the completed rebuilt caliper looked like mine before I took it off. Its actually not as hard as you think it is. Just follow the directions on the mirafiori link above and make sure everything is assembiled in the same order it was taken apart. If you can rebuild a carburator then the rear brakes are a piece of cake.

those calipers are in good condition. Hell mine are all rusted, the car has been garage kept in texas for 26 years. The rotors and calipers are rusted up pretty good. Everything is going to get replaced.

I just found a good deal on calipers, 2 brand new front ones for $115. I emailed the guy and am hoping he has the rear ones as well. They look identical to the ones I was about to order from Vick's for 100 bucks per corner.

[rlux4]

NickSpider; Let us know if this guy is a regular source for calipers if they end up being good ones.
Ron

[manoa matt]

Your local auto parts store can get the same fiat calipers for almost half the price: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList ... or=Caliper

You can get just the caliper or the caliper with pads, or the caliper, pads, and mounting bracket.

Orders over $50 are free shipping. Cores can be returned to your local parts store

[rlux4]

Matt, the new caliper there is made by Bendix. They've been around forever, but I'm not familiar with their calilper quality. Do you (or anyone here) know if it's a good one? It is a very good price.
Ron

[ga.spyder]

Hey Ron I havent had any experience w/ Fiat calipers ,but I used Bendix rebuilds on the last Jeep I owned and on a competition rockcrawler.They were quality parts w/ no issues in some pretty extreme conditions. I would think they would be fine for our cars ,and that is a good price.
Craig

[NickSpider]

NickSpider; Let us know if this guy is a regular source for calipers if they end up being good ones.
Ron

here is the link for the front calipers i purchased: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 39181&rd=1

I was hesitant at first, after reading his reviews of other people who have already bought these in his feedback, I decided the price was too good to pass up on, I emailed the guy and am hoping they can get me the rear calipers as well.

[manoa matt]

Parts america calipers: Regardless of the name, bendix, cardone, beck/arnley etc... they are all Fiat calipers. They are just remanufactured by the respective companies and hence the name. If you look closely in some of the pictures you can see Fiat stamped into the caliper mounting brackets.

Compare the caliper body design and raised numbers locations of parts america calipers to pictures of known fiat calipers at IAP or Vicks. The same can not be said for the ebay calipers. The caliper body is a different design.

Besides, if you order from Parts america most calipers have a one year warranty, some have a limited lifetime warranty, No warranties with ebay. No warranties with IAP or vicks.

[NickSpider]

Parts america calipers: Regardless of the name, bendix, cardone, beck/arnley etc... they are all Fiat calipers. They are just remanufactured by the respective companies and hence the name. If you look closely in some of the pictures you can see Fiat stamped into the caliper mounting brackets.

Compare the caliper body design and raised numbers locations of parts america calipers to pictures of known fiat calipers at IAP or Vicks. The same can not be said for the ebay calipers. The caliper body is a different design.

Besides, if you order from Parts america most calipers have a one year warranty, some have a limited lifetime warranty, No warranties with ebay. No warranties with IAP or vicks.

just got the email back from the seller on ebay, these calipers seem to be pretty good, did some digging on the internet. They are RICAMBI brand, made in Italy. For $100 for two calipers is a very good price. The reviews from other fiat owners say they are of good quality so I'll be reporting back after I receive them.