Caliper overhaul kits
Discussion
Hi Folks,
I have a front offside brake dragging (found after brake found to be much hotter than all the rest). Removed all bolts for caliper and carrier but the brakes were well locked onto the disc (can only just turn the wheel). I can wind the caliper back in a bit and the disc will then turn but after a brake application back to dragging again.
The slides are in good condition so I suspect this is a caliper piston sticking.
TVR Parts and dont seem to do a caliper overhaul kit. Powers do overhaul kits but not for Chimaera front.
They will sell you a new caliper though but only list for Chimaera 400 and 500.
I have a 450 so will the brake caliper be a 500 caliper ?
Anyone know any good suppliers of overhaul kits?
Cheers,.
I have a front offside brake dragging (found after brake found to be much hotter than all the rest). Removed all bolts for caliper and carrier but the brakes were well locked onto the disc (can only just turn the wheel). I can wind the caliper back in a bit and the disc will then turn but after a brake application back to dragging again.
The slides are in good condition so I suspect this is a caliper piston sticking.
TVR Parts and dont seem to do a caliper overhaul kit. Powers do overhaul kits but not for Chimaera front.
They will sell you a new caliper though but only list for Chimaera 400 and 500.
I have a 450 so will the brake caliper be a 500 caliper ?
Anyone know any good suppliers of overhaul kits?
Cheers,.
The reason a lot of places no longer supply seal kits is that it's really not worth resealing a (common) caliper nowadays. They were probably taking back almost as many kits as they sold, once people took the piston out and realised that both the piston and the bore were heavily corroded...
For not much money, you can buy a fully reconditioned one with a new piston as well as seals, blasted and replated, looking like new, and supplied with a warranty.
Don't limit your search to the specialist suppliers either, once you establish what calipers you have (eg Sierra), you can try motor factors too.
For not much money, you can buy a fully reconditioned one with a new piston as well as seals, blasted and replated, looking like new, and supplied with a warranty.
Don't limit your search to the specialist suppliers either, once you establish what calipers you have (eg Sierra), you can try motor factors too.
I refurbed my callipers easily a few years back, with new pistons and seals.
One had seized due to a brake hose disintegrating and pieces of rubber got stuck in the calliper and locked the piston!
So now might be a good time to replace those hoses too(?).
I bought the kits from Brakes International, seal kit (£10.00) plus piston (if required) £14.00 + VAT and delivery (per side).
One had seized due to a brake hose disintegrating and pieces of rubber got stuck in the calliper and locked the piston!
So now might be a good time to replace those hoses too(?).
I bought the kits from Brakes International, seal kit (£10.00) plus piston (if required) £14.00 + VAT and delivery (per side).
http://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/car-parts/brakes/c...
they list the same caliper for all models (400, 450 and 500)
by the way: are those calipers "only" made for TVR? i guess not? check the markings n your caliper. sierra 4x4 ones are alternatives, pending on the markings you find on yours
they list the same caliper for all models (400, 450 and 500)
by the way: are those calipers "only" made for TVR? i guess not? check the markings n your caliper. sierra 4x4 ones are alternatives, pending on the markings you find on yours
TwinKam said:
The reason a lot of places no longer supply seal kits is that it's really not worth resealing a (common) caliper nowadays. They were probably taking back almost as many kits as they sold, once people took the piston out and realised that both the piston and the bore were heavily corroded...
For not much money, you can buy a fully reconditioned one with a new piston as well as seals, blasted and replated, looking like new, and supplied with a warranty.
Don't limit your search to the specialist suppliers either, once you establish what calipers you have (eg Sierra), you can try motor factors too.
I wouldn’t waste my time fitting new seals for the very reasons above. As said, the calipers are very sensibly priced considering the importance of this bit of kit! For not much money, you can buy a fully reconditioned one with a new piston as well as seals, blasted and replated, looking like new, and supplied with a warranty.
Don't limit your search to the specialist suppliers either, once you establish what calipers you have (eg Sierra), you can try motor factors too.
Amazing why we would want to save a few bob on a component that could save our lives.
I would agree, if the piston/calliper bore were either badly scored or corroded (or both).
However, in my case (as mentioned), the cause of the brakes seizing was down to the flexible brake hose disintegrating and pieces were getting wedged between the calliper and piston.
As such, there was no issue with scoring or corrosion.
In fact, the only reason I had to replace the piston was because I damaged it removing from the calliper (I don’t have an air line, so clamped the edge of the piston with some mole grips. Then secured the grips in the vice, and gently rotated the calliper will gently pulling until the piston came out
)
However, in my case (as mentioned), the cause of the brakes seizing was down to the flexible brake hose disintegrating and pieces were getting wedged between the calliper and piston.
As such, there was no issue with scoring or corrosion.
In fact, the only reason I had to replace the piston was because I damaged it removing from the calliper (I don’t have an air line, so clamped the edge of the piston with some mole grips. Then secured the grips in the vice, and gently rotated the calliper will gently pulling until the piston came out
)TwinKam said:
Recon calipers (well the ones I get, anyway) come so beautifully new looking with their replated finish, and at such a keen price, that it's hardly worth even cleaning a dirty caliper, just fit a new one! 
Ok, so how much are we talking about for recon?As mentioned above, the seal kit and pistons came to about £60.00 for both front callipers (no worries about shiny paint, the PO already did this)
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