Bloody pin seized in caliper..

[WarnieV6GT]

Biker's Nemesis said:

That bit should just turn out with a screwdriver now,

I did try briefly but nothing doing. I'll try more heat and see if it will budge.

[WarnieV6GT]

Couldn't get it to budge and have heated And hacked the dam thing to death ..

I've ordered another caliper for £25 and will fix this one and hopefully sell it on. I presume it should come with the pin ?

Thanks for all the advice given, everdays a learning day

[Vincefox]

Pics?

[WarnieV6GT]

Vincefox said:

Pics?

There's a pic a few posts up Vince. Since that pic there the bit that left is even thinner but it just won't budge.

It's like it has fused together inside!

[freddytin]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/25pc-Professional-Screw-E...


I have a high-quality set of similar tools for extraction ...perfect for your predicament...very little spread as they are not tapered.

[gavgavgav]

There is room to get a set of mole grips on the pin itself, and turn it that way. Just heat up the end (a lot) and turn it out?

[PurpleTurtle]

WarnieV6GT said:

Couldn't get it to budge and have heated And hacked the dam thing to death ..

I've ordered another caliper for £25 and will fix this one and hopefully sell it on. I presume it should come with the pin ?

Thanks for all the advice given, everdays a learning day

You would hope so!! I was in your neck of the woods over the weekend (parents live in Sutton Coldfield) so would've happily lent a hand, were it not for us visiting them for our sprog's birthday!

TBH at 25 quid for a replacement I would be inclined to just leave at that. The Del Boy video earlier up the thread makes a good point about using copious amouts of brake cleaner on the pin if required you often find a hardened accumulation of brake dust on the pad side of the pin which forms a tiny ridge - all removable once you've got the pin out, but sometimes tricky to deal with due to space limitations/access with a caliper mounted on the bike. Should all be far easier to solve with a used caliper off the bike.

I've bought used calipers off eBay previously and had no problems, but not knowing the history I've always treated them to a seal rebuild.
The rebuild kits from Powerhouse are brilliant, come with full instructions and are simple to do:

https://www.powerhouse.uk/content/motorcycle-brake...

I like to have the confidence of knowing that, when I need to lob the anchors on at speed, that I've had that bad boy apart and know that all it's components are in A1 condition and functioning properly. Call me a nerd, but getting a set of calipers apart, cleaned, rebuilt and all working fully is one of the quiet joys of home bike mechanics.

I really should get out more!

[MotorsportTom]

PurpleTurtle said:

You would hope so!! I was in your neck of the woods over the weekend (parents live in Sutton Coldfield) so would've happily lent a hand, were it not for us visiting them for our sprog's birthday!

TBH at 25 quid for a replacement I would be inclined to just leave at that. The Del Boy video earlier up the thread makes a good point about using copious amouts of brake cleaner on the pin if required you often find a hardened accumulation of brake dust on the pad side of the pin which forms a tiny ridge - all removable once you've got the pin out, but sometimes tricky to deal with due to space limitations/access with a caliper mounted on the bike. Should all be far easier to solve with a used caliper off the bike.

I've bought used calipers off eBay previously and had no problems, but not knowing the history I've always treated them to a seal rebuild.
The rebuild kits from Powerhouse are brilliant, come with full instructions and are simple to do:

https://www.powerhouse.uk/content/motorcycle-brake...

I like to have the confidence of knowing that, when I need to lob the anchors on at speed, that I've had that bad boy apart and know that all it's components are in A1 condition and functioning properly. Call me a nerd, but getting a set of calipers apart, cleaned, rebuilt and all working fully is one of the quiet joys of home bike mechanics.

I really should get out more!

Agreed a caliper rebuild is satisfying and relatively simple.

I disagree with the need to rebuild it though. Do you rebuild the brakes on a second hand bike the moment you buy it?

Just check the condition of the caliper and see the pistons move freely (maybe a quick clean with scotchbrite and brake cleaner) and be done with it.

[PurpleTurtle]

Of course, you don't *need* to rebuild it, I was just saying that, faced with this problem in the past, I've taken the opportunity of the caliper being off the bike, brake lines disconnected etc to go 'full monty' (given the relative low cost of rebuild kits etc).

Obviously if the pistons are moving freely and the OP is happy to wang it straight on the bike then that's fine to do. In my experience the quality of used calipers can vary greatly, I was just highlighting an option if it turns up and isn't as great as expected.

[WarnieV6GT]

PurpleTurtle said:

Of course, you don't *need* to rebuild it, I was just saying that, faced with this problem in the past, I've taken the opportunity of the caliper being off the bike, brake lines disconnected etc to go 'full monty' (given the relative low cost of rebuild kits etc).

Obviously if the pistons are moving freely and the OP is happy to wang it straight on the bike then that's fine to do. In my experience the quality of used calipers can vary greatly, I was just highlighting an option if it turns up and isn't as great as expected.

Thanks for the advice

I'll be taking both sides off and giving them a good clean up. I did have a look at the link you kindly put up but as I'll be upgrading the bike soon I'll only replace the seals if I really have to. All this is good experience though as I've never even bled brakes before, changing pads was as far as I've gone, anything else and I'd just take it to someone more competent ...

[CaptainSlow]

Buy some replacement stainless steel pins though...don't use the pins that come with it if originals.