What to do about ancient brake callipers?

[martinclan56]

I need to overhaul or replace my brake calipers. I think there are 3 options.

1. Overhaul them myself. On previous cars this has been the preffered choice as original is nearly always best. But the fact that the car hasn't moved for 30+ years could mean they are corroded beyond repair? There was certainly no brake fluid left in the system...
2. Get them overhauled by Big Red. The most expensive option.
3. Replace then with type 14 callipers as used on the Spitfire. I realise the brake line connection is in a different place but as I am replacing all the brake lines that probably doesn't matter. There are plenty of sellers of these callipers but I guess none of them are original Girling and may be of suspect quallity?

Thoughts anyone? Cheers, Robin

[jimthesail]

Just finished fighting with mine! Without doubt go for replacement Type 14. £45 a 'pop' on the 'Bay'. The seals/pistons cost me £22 plus a monumental struggle to get the old pistons out.
I ended up welding a piece of strip to them and pulling out with G cramps. Nobody makes sub standard brake callipers.!

[A_Hogg]

Its always preferable if you intend overhauling calipers to leave them in situ and use the hydraulics to push the pistons out. I've managed even bad ones with cycle stirrup pump as long as you can get a good seal on the connection

[jon_wilkinson]

Check Pitstop 231. Keith Holding had originals for sale at a very sensible price. In all probability sold but worth asking.

PS I had to resort to the new copies when I bought my latest Roadster and you're right, the quality isn't as good.

[listerjp2]

ANG on ebay have most the parts to rebuild your calipers.

If you can't find what you want on ebay give them a bell as the have thousands of items but find it hard to put all kit up on ebay.

It's run by a husband and wife team.

AMG have Girling Calipers, only showing one side at the moment but as mentioned give them a bell.

I've used them numerous times and the quality is good.

Regards

Adrian

[Patrick]

M539 on YouTube had an interesting bit on rebuilding a two part 4 piston brembo caliper - he struggled a lot getting the pistons out:

https://youtu.be/pVLUzYsElNA?t=1490

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Hi Robin. I rebuilt mine this month using a Big Redd kit off ebay for pistons and seals & new brake nipples that cost £30. I then painted them with stove enamel black that is good for upto 650 degrees C. It took about a day and a half to do .

[Ye Ol Ripper]

[listerjp2]

Nice one

Adrian

[andyf]

Or these might be interesting

https://britishclassiccarparts.com/products/triumph-spitfire-mk3-front-caliper-kit

[andyf]

ANG on ebay have most the parts to rebuild your calipers.

If you can't find what you want on ebay give them a bell as the have thousands of items but find it hard to put all kit up on ebay.

It's run by a husband and wife team.

AMG have Girling Calipers, only showing one side at the moment but as mentioned give them a bell.

I've used them numerous times and the quality is good.

Regards

Adrian

Good shout, I used them for the TR6 servo and master cylinder to complete the dual circuit conversion.

[jon_wilkinson]

Or these might be interesting

https://britishclassiccarparts.com/p...nt-caliper-kit

Lovely...but the price

[martinclan56]

Hi Robin. I rebuilt mine this month using a Big Redd kit off ebay for pistons and seals & new brake nipples that cost £30. I then painted them with stove enamel black that is good for upto 650 degrees C. It took about a day and a half to do .

That gives me some hope :-)
I managed to get the bleed nipple and brake line connection out today. Tomorrow I'll try removing the pistons. Watch this space.....
Cheers Robin

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Robin , it is recommended not to split the 2 halves of the Calliper although the Bid Redd Kit does include those seals also. I got my pistons out without splitting them.

The way I got the pistons out is as follows: Find a 3/8" Unf bolt and a ball bearing e.g. from a cycle hub. Remove all the rubber dust boots from around the pistons Using a syringe or small funnel , fill through the brake nipple hole and brake pipe holes with water, replace the nipple and place the ball bearing down the hole where the pipe went and lighly tighten the bolt onto it.

Get a strong G clamp and compress each piston in turn so they are rocking in and the other out a bit. It will take 5-8 goes at that. If they won't move . Place on the gas hob and heat up with the G clamp on one of them and you will hear the pistons creak as they start to move. When it gets hot enough the water will boil and force the piston out.
Wear Goggles and have an old coat on so you don't get scalded if the piston flies out.

The reason I recommend using water is that the pistons can fly out suddenly and spray your kitchen with fluid . At least water won't damage like brake fluid . The second piston if it was moveable can be blown out with 115psi using your air compressor.


I did also see a method on youtube that using a cartridge grease gun you undo the flexi pipe and make up using a suitable threaded fitting onto the grease gun with some brake pipe and the other fitting is a 3/8" /UNF. Fill with water and you can pump the pistons off the car.
However as we are only doing this once , I used the heating up of the callipers above.

[andyf]

If it takes that much work to get them apart I would get them crack tested before proceeding to renovate them. Also don't be scared of splitting them we always had to do that to convert from solid to vented disks, so long as you have new o-rings it should not be a problem.