Good way of popping out calliper pistons. . .

Motorcycling
1

Hi there - I’ve split my calipers and am trying to remove the pistons - the pistons are as far out as they will go using the brake systems hydraulic pressure - however they wont come out with cloth covered pliers (to avoid scratching them) - I know I can use compressed air to do this - e.g. petrol station air machine - thing is - is there a good method of making the caliper airtight when sticking an airhose on it? e.g. air escapes from the gallery holes - tried sticking stuff in/over them - but difficult to make airtight.

Is there an alternative to getting them out with air?

Thanks for any advice - :slight_smile: :cool:

2

Sid, **after ** :ermm: you have finished with all your caliper work can you put a guide together? :wink:

edit: you just reminded me I need to buy some whey protein :w00t:

3

hA HA! Yeah - will put a guide together! I’m learning the hard way!

Yep - I use old whey containers to catch brake fluid coolant etc! :stuck_out_tongue:

4

yes its like a pair pliers that has two round teeth fitted to the jaws which u can ajust for different size pistons.u just put the teeth INSIDE the piston,tighten the teeth then wiggle the pistons out,easy ive got a pair ,u can get them off ebay about 18 pounds,u could borrow them but im not in london

5

use an air line into the bleed nipple before splitting them :smiley: although watch out they come out with a pop :smiley:

6

use an air line into the bleed nipple before splitting them :smiley: although watch out they come out with a pop :smiley:

7

Thanks Careater and Photographichero! :DI like the idea of the bespoke pliers! :cool:

I’ll give the airline a go before I get the pliers! :DMust admit that the idea of the pliers is really floating my boat! :smiley:

8

These should do the trick :cool:http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-63-12032-95404-sealey-motorcycle-brake-piston-removal-pliers.asp

9

Just not from Holland and Barrett…

10

Yeah they were ok when they did it half price as a special offer - these days I get mine from http://www.oneon.co.uk/store/products,whey-protein-max_26.htm?gclid=COPF1_CmyZoCFUoB4wodynzR2w

11

Yep, thats what i do;)

12

I’m liking the pliers thing. . . :cool:

13

I’ve got a pair of those pliers - they’re ok if the pistons aren’t too badly seized, but otherwise the little knurled bits flatten off - they’re not terribly good quality.

Useful for routine brake servicing, but for really stuck pistons hydraulic power / compressed air is your friend (although in the past I have resorted to putting the caliper halves in the oven for half an hour to soften the seals… it does make it easier, but I wouldn’t recommend anyone else doing it)

I do feel for you, ST… both mine and Joolsy’s bikes wear those 6 pots and they are a shocking pain to service and keep in good nick.I had a pair of Nissin 4 pots on my ZX9 for a year or so after my original 6 pots were stolen and I think I’ll be going back to them unless I can find the money for a radial caliper conversion.

14

Cheers G :wink: whenever I attempt a job on this bike I have to add two days onto the day it should take to do the job! But gradually I’m getting there and restoring the bike to decent nick after the previous owners neglect.

Like the idea of putting the calipers in the oven :DWere the six pots stolen off of the bike? :blink:

15

.

16

Aye, bike was parked outside my mum’s flat in Newbury - little shits had cut my braided lines and stolen the calipers.They obviously only had a 12mm spanner cos they couldn’t undo the banjo bolts.I then had to ride 45 miles home with no front brakes :angry: Anyhoo… the work will all be worth it - it’ll be a fab bike when it’s sorted.Look forward to seeing it sometime :slight_smile:

17

Sorry about the brakes G. . .

Yep - look forward to riding out with you guys soon - so I can show her off! :smiley:

18

sorry what?
as a man, I can safely say the idea of shooting metal lumps dangerously with compressed air appeals to me much more! :stuck_out_tongue:

19

One guy did it and the piston shot over his fence and landed two gardens away on his neighbours lawn! :smiley:

20

They can’t go anywhere as you do it as a complete caliper so the pistons oppose each other. They will just meet in the middle;)