AarhusTr6 Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) Hi all doing my front suspension area as the rubber boots etc were perished.' When down there thought I would do the brakes as they were a bit soft, so when removing the caliper area, the brake pads looked okay but on closer inspection of the pistons, the rubbers were very perished and literally all fell away with a scrape of a scewdriver into bits. I can now see the pistons look corroded plus they seem very stuck. I ask for help on 2 areas: 1. Piston removal, I read use an air compressor, is this the best way? 2. I plan on doing a visual check for corrosion, and replace if needed, but the rubbers, looking at Moss, the rubbers for this car, the car is a CC from June 70, are the new rubbers from Moss below correct and is the number on the caliper so I can be sure? Thanks to all for helping me Richard Edited February 20, 2022 by AarhusTr6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Mckiernan Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Hi Richard , much easier to " blow out " the pistons with a compressor . But in a pinch the bleed nipple can be replaced with a grease nipple , pumping grease in will also push the piston out. Bit messy but does work. Also if there is any corrosion on the chrome on the pistons they most be replaced or they will tear up your new seals. Mick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) To answer the ‘which kit’ question. Look at the way the dust covers of the pistons fit to the caliper body. Are there are metal rings holding the seal to the body? If not then it is the early type known as 16P. Uses the Girling SP2501 seal kit. Without the steel rings. If there are steel rings then it is the later type caliper known as 16 PB. Uses Grirling seal kit SP2589. This kit contains the steel rings. The pistons change because the dust seal changes. The groove the dust seal locates in gets wider on the later type. The piston diameter does not change. The fluid seal that goes in the caliper bore is the same for both types. Only the dust seal changes. There is a Girling technical article on this but I cannot find it. Girling SP 2501 seal kit for early 16P caliper SP2589 seal kit for later Girling 16 PB caliper. Edited February 20, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 If you use compressed air to blow the pistons out make sure that you don’t have a finger between the pistons when you do it. The pistons can move with quite a speed and force. If it doesn’t cut one of your fingers off it will at best prove quite painful. Put a piece of wood between the pistons and do it in stages, reducing the thickness of the wood each time, otherwise one piston might come out completely and then you will have difficulty removing the other one. Charlie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 As an alternative to blocks of wood you can employ an adjustable clamp or two to control piston exit i extract the pistons using the master cylinder before i disconnect the hydraulics, but air would work too attached should give the idea, its a motorbike but the principle is the same steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Hubball Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 If you are using Silicon Brake Fluid make sure your new seal kit is compatible. Cheers Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AarhusTr6 Posted February 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Hi all With all of your wonderful help I managed to use my compressor and blew out the the pistons. One of them was a real b**** and with a lot of pressure boom out it came so see what you mean about the health and safety! OOn closer inspection they seem to have a dust seal and a metal clip or ring so will check the previous advice on which version to get. The pistons phone do look in ok condition just a bit rusty on the inside and on the very outer edges. I had better look up about what type of brake oil I will or will not use Last what an awesome forum! Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 While you are there you may consider putting stainless steel pistons, more money though, but should then outlast the rest of the car! The type of calliper is marked by the mounting bolt you will see either 16P or 16 PB this should identify the model. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brent C Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Hi Richard You could try a company called Bigg Red, for your seal kit. All of their componants are manufacture in Spain, not the far east. Brent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) 7 hours ago, Chris Hubball said: If you are using Silicon Brake Fluid make sure your new seal kit is compatible. Cheers Chris Both Moss and Past Parts confirmed to me that SBF (DOT 5.1 (error, SBF is DOT5) is ok for the seals they supply. Cheers, Waldi Edited February 20, 2022 by Waldi Error, SBF is DOT 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 DOT 5.1 is NOT silicone, Waldi. SBF is DOT 5 http://www.safebraking.com/what-is-dot-5-1-brake-fluid/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AarhusTr6 Posted February 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Here is a picture of the piston which I will clean up but is this for sure the later piston type?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rogerguzzi Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 5 minutes ago, AarhusTr6 said: Here is a picture of the piston which I will clean up but is this for sure the later piston type?? To my way of thinking that is scrap just bit the bulit and bus Stainless Steel ones and I have used Big Red a few times Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AarhusTr6 Posted February 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, rogerguzzi said: To my way of thinking that is scrap just bit the bulit and bus Stainless Steel ones and I have used Big Red a few times Roger think I agree, just being over in Euroland shipping from UK is a pain in the B now with customs charges and delays and next UK visit is 3 weeks out, but to confirm, this is the later Girling 16 PB caliper right? Rich Edited February 20, 2022 by AarhusTr6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 You could buy from Moss Paris, on offer at the moment until end of Feb https://www.moss-europe.fr/marque-et-modele/triumph/tr5-6/frein/frein-avant/front-disc-brakes-tr5-6-1967-76.html John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Yes, change them. But don't throw the old ones away. One day, you will find an alternative use for those big chunks of metal ! Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 4 hours ago, RobH said: DOT 5.1 is NOT silicone, Waldi. SBF is DOT 5 http://www.safebraking.com/what-is-dot-5-1-brake-fluid/ Thanks Rob, you are correct, brain farth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 3 hours ago, AarhusTr6 said: Here is a picture of the piston which I will clean up but is this for sure the later piston type?? Yes that is the later piston. Early one has a very narrow groove by comparison From Moss this piston is cheaper in stainless than chromed. https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/piston-brake-caliper-stainless-steel-157685ss.html?assoc=124430 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AarhusTr6 Posted February 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 17 hours ago, Charlie D said: Yes, change them. But don't throw the old ones away. One day, you will find an alternative use for those big chunks of metal ! Charlie. I suggested to Mrs Nichol that if polished, they could make nice table decorations, but she clearly does not have the same artistic insight us TR owners have.... Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, AarhusTr6 said: I suggested to Mrs Nichol that if polished, they could make nice table decorations, but she clearly does not have the same artistic insight us TR owners have.... Richard Ideas for the old bits of car in the ‘might come in handy’ box Edited February 21, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 14 minutes ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Ideas for the old bits of car in the ‘might come in handy’ box Clever! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 Rather than fingers or clamps to control the pistons when blowing withan airline I would prefer to use an old towel or cloths to retain th eflight and avoid spraying brake fluid around the workshop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheeler Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 https://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/brake Loads brake rebuilding stuff here. Excellent advice. Hope this helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AarhusTr6 Posted February 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 13 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Ideas for the old bits of car in the ‘might come in handy’ box that really is a work of Art!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peterq Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 Hi Richard, try www.classic-service.de. Mr. Müller drives a TR6 himself, he will give a quote if you send an Email. I ordered all parts for my caliper rebuild there. Regards, Peter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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