Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

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Brakes, Suspension, Carburetor, Bottom end, Top end, Chassis, Discontinued parts, Wheels, Plastic, Tools
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Sandblaster
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Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:04 am

First and foremost.... Ignore every thing I say.
I am not a professional mechanic, I have no training, and generally I ride stuff that is completely unsafe and I do things that should never be done.
I just thought you might appreciate a emergency brake clean up.
I recommend that you get a service manual and follow the instructions to the letter.

A buddy of mine has to go riding tomorrow and of course he waits until today to bring me his brake.
I have no pads or seals to rebuild this rear brake caliper.
Therefore I will do the best I can with what I have to work with.
In the mean time I have ordered him caliper and master cylinder rebuild kits and new pads....
To start with we have to start disassembling this mess.
It's best to clean your brake BEFORE you start but whatever I'm in a hurry and I'll do it wrong anyway..
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 103.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 103.JPG (89.31 KiB) Viewed 10771 times
To do what I want I have to disconnect the brake hose.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 102.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 102.JPG (89.38 KiB) Viewed 10771 times
When you disconnect the brake line you open up a direct path to the inside so I plug the hole with a bolt so I can continue cleaning without contaminating the insides.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 101.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 101.JPG (117.29 KiB) Viewed 10771 times
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:06 am

Next I removed the caliper mount.
This style is easy, just pull them apart.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 104.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 104.JPG (91.14 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
After removing the mount I removed the two pad pins... What a mess...
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 105.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 105.JPG (97.23 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
I removed the bolt that is in the hose mount because I need to blow compressed air down that hole to remove the piston.
What a mess...
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 106.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 106.JPG (106.58 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:07 am

When using compressed air to move the piston I like to use a shop rag to make a barrier to keep the piston from shooting across the room.
Yes, they will shoot across the room :lol:
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 107.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 107.JPG (104.88 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Put your rubber tipped nozzle in the brake hose hole and give short bursts of air.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 108.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 108.JPG (84.67 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Typically they will shoot out with a noticeable pop..
If you don't use a rag to keep the piston from shooting out, be sure to aim it in a safe direction because the piston will easily shoot out 12 or more feet even under fairly low air pressure.
This one oozed out because the piston and seals were completely gummed up.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 109.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 109.JPG (99.39 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:08 am

Disgusting.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 110.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 110.JPG (98.57 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
I clean the bleeder valve with a guitar string.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 112.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 112.JPG (80.7 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:09 am

I make sure that the guitar string can go all the way in with no obstructions.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 113.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 113.JPG (71.12 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Whatever it takes... get it clean.
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OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 114.JPG (80.99 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Ooooohhhh Purdy...
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 115.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 115.JPG (46.89 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:10 am

If I had my way I would replace the seals, pads, and pad pins.... but... I don't have replacements so he is gonna get what I give him and like it...
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 116.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 116.JPG (122.38 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Again, I clean everything..
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 117.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 117.JPG (113.08 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
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Sandblaster
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:10 am

Assembled.
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 118.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 118.JPG (34.26 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Because the pads are wide open I give the caliper a quick shot of air down the hose hole and they snap shut.
If yours is slow to close, better give it a complete rebuild...
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 119.JPG
OEM-CYCLE.COM BRAKES 119.JPG (33.56 KiB) Viewed 10770 times
Half done...
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

Roostius_Maximus
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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Roostius_Maximus » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:03 pm

Aren't you supposed to hold that caliper with your fingers in the pad location and nails towards the piston before using the blow gun?

:o

seen it happen :lol:

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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:01 pm

If you do, please take pictures... :lol:
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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Re: Cleaning up a rear brake caliper

Post by Sandblaster » Tue Feb 17, 2015 3:25 pm

I ordered some rebuild kits so I will do some complete rebuilds for the front master and the calipers...
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.

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