↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Brake caliper seals
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Whitewaitress



Member Since: 26 Nov 2013
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 47

Brake caliper seals
I'm changing the rear discs, pads & pistons on a 2007 puma, including the seals inside the calipers where the pistons slide along - although the thin metal ring covers for the top seals are proving to be a nightmare to get them to tap in gently and sit in the recess!

Has anyone else had any issues with these parts not fitting correctly? I know they have to be a tight fit but it's almost like the diameter is slightly too large - yet the pistons fit snug.

Any suggestions?
Post #319699 28th Mar 2014 8:45am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6037

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Have you "split" the calipers in half, or just trying to get the seals in whilst the caliper is whole?

I recently rebuilt the ones on the front of my 110, and it's a whole lot easier to have them in half (unbolting them), and yes, they are quite tight, but using that pink coloured rubber grease Shocked Embarassed makes it a lot easier.
Post #319703 28th Mar 2014 9:02am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Whitewaitress



Member Since: 26 Nov 2013
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 47

Thanks Jim, I've split them yes - so they're nice & easy to work with thankfully. It's just getting them to sit flush & tidy thats the problem for me, plus a lack of patience.

I'll give the grease a go to help them in! How did you push them in? Using a clamp or another method?
Post #319710 28th Mar 2014 9:24am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7687

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i used to use a large socket that sits over the seal to ease them in evenly.

now i dont bother, its cheaper in time to buy a complete caliper and do it that way. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #319753 28th Mar 2014 12:04pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Whitewaitress



Member Since: 26 Nov 2013
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 47

Starting to wish I did just buy a new set of calipers now Laughing will give the socket a go!
Post #319766 28th Mar 2014 1:03pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6037

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
As what James says, a large socket that fits over the piston will push that dirt seal in.

As for the pistons themselves, if there's enough lube and they're dead straight, you can push them in by hand, but if they tilt a little bit then they usually jam in and need wiggling to pull out. a wooden hammer handle is handy to stick into the hollow bit to wiggle.
Post #319775 28th Mar 2014 1:44pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16884

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I also nowadays tend to replace the complete caliper.

Those seals are complete s*ds to fit, especially if you haven't split the caliper.

Incidentally if you have split the caliper have you been able to source replacement "O" rings for the seal between the halves? This can be difficult.
Post #319776 28th Mar 2014 1:51pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Whitewaitress



Member Since: 26 Nov 2013
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 47

The socet trick worked a treat - thanks guys!

Re. the little 'O' ring seals when the calipers were split, they looked in good order so I kept them in - I've kept an eye for leakage but so far so good!

In future I'll go with new calipers Laughing
Post #322338 8th Apr 2014 10:22am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

Yep, another who bought new calipers (all four Neutral ),re-fitted with proper silicon grease (IMO,Servisol is the best,bayE,Amazon or Maplins).Every year the caliper/pistons should have been cleaned with brake cleaner and re-greased,lazy ar*ed f*kin fitters Evil or Very Mad . Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #322353 8th Apr 2014 11:40am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2552

Scotland 
Aftermarket seal retainer rings are notoriously difficult to get into the calipers. It's common to bend a few.

I used a genuine set last time and all four went in no problem.
Post #322475 8th Apr 2014 7:44pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2079

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
As Retro says use Genuine or Lockheed seal kits. I have learned to fit the seal retainer in a vice using the big washer from the end of a radius arm bush. Leave the piston protruding about 3mm from the caliper, fit the wiper seal and the retainer over the piston, make sure all is square, fit the big washer over the end of the piston and squeeze in the vice. The washer pushes the piston down and then squarely pushes the retainer into it's slot. Right first time Thumbs Up
Compare this with a 75% failure rate and hours of frustration trying to fit good Lockheed retainer rings on the bench with a screwdriver Confused
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #322524 8th Apr 2014 9:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums