Brake overhaulin' - Dorkiphus.net

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Old 05-17-2005, 10:07 AM
Mackpipes Mackpipes is offline
 
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Default Brake overhaulin'

This weekend was another Bleedfest at Summit Point. I did three bleeds on Saturday and two on Sunday.
A few of things factored into this:
1) I was not bleeding them correctly
2) Twenty year old parts only last so long under track conditions
3) I'm a chronic late braker

So everything is comming off and being replaced or rebuilt. The car is currently on jack stands waiting for caliper rebuild kits to arrive. As well as a new master cylinder and braided lines. I am also going to have the booster vacume checked once it's all back to gether. I will be switching to Castrol High temp (read: high cost) brake fluid. The idea of bleading the brakes once a season sounds pretty nice. Last, the fog lights are comming out in place of brake cooling hoses. I'm currntly running the snorkle scoops with an OG ducting kit with block off plates. If this doesn't work, I'm goin' to C-GT ceramic brakes.

I'd like to thank all of those who lent a hand with the numerous bleeds. It would have been a big crap sandwich with out the help.
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Old 05-17-2005, 10:27 AM
cmcfaul@aol.com cmcfaul@aol.com is offline
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ahh the break rebuild. I have done mine twice now and have it down to a science. It's a knuckle buster the first time getting them nice and clean.

Trick to the trade - getting the pistons out can be difficult. I took mime to a gas station that still had free air (high pressure air hose) not the put in 4 quarters type. Rigged up an adapter to allow me to use the high pressure air to force the pistons out. Once one side was out I used piece of wood to clog the hole where the piston had just come out of in order to get the other side out. That's the hard part.

When reinstalling make sure you use / make the little angle guide to ensure they are aligned correctly (turned correctly).

All in all not that difficult but your fingers will be a little beat up cleaning out the years of crud that will be in there.

Chris

73 911 E
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Old 05-17-2005, 10:46 AM
Mackpipes Mackpipes is offline
 
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Chris, this will be my 4th time doing caliper rebuilds. I use a scotch brite pad to clean the inside of the caliper. To remove the pistons I do use compressed air. But I reinstall the first piston just barely. then use a large C clamp to hold it in while I pop the other piston out. It is also wise to wear a visor type face protector because when the piston does pop out, it sprays a mist of residual brake fluid everywere. I also cover it with a shop rag to prevent this.
I'm just glad I don't have 6 piston calipers. Canyou imagine the rebuild on those?
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Old 05-17-2005, 11:29 AM
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Hit me up, I'll help you with the labor. Maybe we can even paint your calipers neon yellow?
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Old 05-17-2005, 12:04 PM
Mackpipes Mackpipes is offline
 
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Cool, then they'd match my LED valve stem caps.
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Old 05-17-2005, 01:37 PM
Mike87911 Mike87911 is offline
 
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A trick that I have used a few times to get the pistons out is to use a grease gun. I unscrew the end which pushes on the grease fittings and screw that into the caliper. The use the pump to push grease into the caliper which pushes out the piston nice and slow. The grease is coated in old brake fluid and cleans out nicely. Much safer than using air and having the pistons pop out.

Mike
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Old 05-17-2005, 02:00 PM
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Pipes:

ASG tried 120+psi line pressure and couldn't get one of the pucks out of my rear 356 calipers... on EACH caliper. I used the grease gun method [thank you Mr. Skirmants and Mr. Berardelli for the suggestion] and they eased right out. Will post pics later.

I have a solution for your braking woes:

1. gut the interior and lose the 80+ lbs of ICE
2. buy Noahs CF front fenders and lose the weight [they are black already]
3. stop using your brakes so much and start sliding the MOFO!

Thoughtfully,

Jase
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Old 05-17-2005, 02:33 PM
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Hey Mike...you been lurking? Haven't heard from you in a while. How's the twin doing?

For those wondering what the heck I'm talking about, Mike also has a silver cab turbolook.
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Old 05-17-2005, 06:05 PM
Mackpipes Mackpipes is offline
 
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Mike, thanks for the tip. So it doesn't leave any residual grease in the piston? Cool! Anything is better than a nice mist of ATE blue in the face.
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Old 05-17-2005, 06:29 PM
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Default Re: Brake overhaulin'

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mackpipes
I will be switching to Castrol High temp (read: high cost) brake fluid. The idea of bleading the brakes once a season sounds pretty nice.
Might want to check with that PCA tech guy about “one brake bleed seasons”. All those rebuilds, all that time at dorki events and you still want to use something other than blue
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