S2000 Rear caliper strip down

[ade73]

Doing some work on my S2000 and next on the list is refreshing the brakes (New discs, pads and refurbished calipers. Sourced a full set of spare calipers to strip down and get blasted then powder coated.

On stripping the rear calipers it looks like I might need a specialist tool, in the bottom of the piston chamber is a circlip holding the threaded bit for the piston. I'm thinking a 90 degree long reach circlip remover will do the job but just wanted to check if there was a better or made for the job tool before I go ahead and order.

[Dave Brand]

I managed to disassemble my Peugeot 405 calipers using a thin pair of circlip pliers. Be aware that there may be a big spring under the "top hat" the circlip holds in place; if so, you'll need to improvise a method of holding it against the spring pressure to avoid bits flying everywhere when you release the circlip.

[bramley]

I'm doing my rear calipers right now and I wasn't going to remove that circlip - is it necessary to change/clean/remove/replace?

I already had a spare set so I've soaked them in a citric acid solution as a lazy rust removal job (very successful btw), and got new parts inc piston to put back together, and caliper paint. Did I read somewhere that powder coating wasn't good with the heat or I may have dreamt that??

[Dave Brand]

bramley said:

I already had a spare set so I've soaked them in a citric acid solution as a lazy rust removal job

Not a good idea! Even if you've removed the pistons & sealed off the bores to keep the solution out there may be seals in the handbrake mechanism, e.g. where the lever enters the caliper, which the citric acid could have damaged.

Edited by Dave Brand on Tuesday 15th August 11:01

[ade73]

• Update

Well I bought a pair of the 90 degree deep reach circlip pliers and they did the job.

Calipers fully stripped and away to be cleaned and powder coated. All new seals and pistons ready for when they come back.

[ade73]

bramley said:

I'm doing my rear calipers right now and I wasn't going to remove that circlip - is it necessary to change/clean/remove/replace?

The guy doing the strip and powder coating said I would need to so they could get all the grease out otherwise it would effect the coating. (cause fish mouths in the finish when they get baked I think he said)