Brake caliper dust shields...
 

I'm rebuilding the rear calipers on my Carrera... ran into a snag. I'm having difficulty getting the dust covers to stay seated to the caliper. I can't seem to apply enough pressure all the way around them to get them to seat themselves. Is there a trick to this? Or a special tool I need?

BTW, I've never had a caliper apart before this project. I always figured they were a lot more complex than they are!!! Drop dead simple, but effective, technology -- the best kind!

Do you mean the rubber like covers that fit over the pistons? They simply fit into the grove in the caliper around the piston hole & are retained w/a small, round “C” caliper clamping ring. Install the piston & adjust it to the proper 20 degree orientation first. Place the cover over the piston; install the ring all the way down in the outer grove. Then carefully push the edge of the cover down between the piston & cylinder. If the cover pops out the ring is not seated all the way in the grove in the caliper or it has been pried to far open to many times.

John:

I think that Dave is talking about the pre-carrera dust boots. I ran into the same problem . . . those spring retainer rings are tight as hell. It took two of use. I held the caliper and Doug actually got the rings to lock down using only his thumbs, but we were both amazed at the amount of force that was required to seat them.

If you use anything that is rigid, you WILL cut the boot on the ring. Sitting here now and thinking about it maybe 2 c-clamps with lots of duct tape wrapped on the end would work.

Let me know if I can help Sunday.

Now I have to go home & check Linda's Carrera. The kit I got for it (not installed) had the ring. This must be part of the SC world domination conspiracy!

Thanks for the ideas... I won't have a chance to try 'em out until Wednesday. Too much to do the next couple of days.

I was going to try the baby food trick Yesterday, so I went to Giant with one of the new dust seals... compared it to several brands of baby food and found that Gerber is a good match. Naturally, the checkout guy forgot to move it from the conveyor to one of my bags so I have to make yet another trip to the store. :evil:

What Marc said - they WILL go on, they are just a complete PITA to get them on. Lots of force needed, and don't mess up or you're buying a new caliper rebuild kit to get another boot (ask me how I know). I remember swearing a lot - try that, it might help ;). I pushed them on with my hands, but it wasn't fun.

Ok John . . . . .

WTH is the baby food thing . . . .

Another thought is using a good pair of leather gardening gloves.