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Brake System Refilling

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kindofblue

kindofblue

Jedi Warrior
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I am getting ready to get the 250 started agian. THe brakes have me scratching my head. I had the front calipers rebuilt at a local specialist. I can't get the pads in them mounted on the car now. I think the pistons won't back in all the way because there is no fluid in the calipers. SHould I fill the calipers up first with fluid, then mount them? Or should I put everything together, fill the system with fluid, back the pistons in, and then bleed the system out? I have the LF caliper and hose together, but not the RF. Please help, I m confused. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
You need to press the pistons all the way into the calipers. It should not matter whether or not fluid is in the calipers or not. What does matter is that the pistons go straight in. You can set the caliper on the floor and take a large screwdriverand set the shaft across the piston. Try with the screwdriver oriented across the piston (handle out of the opening where the pads go in, tip between the mounting bolt holes) You may need to try several different positions before you get it to move. Do each piston individually. If, after you are sure that the pistons are in all the way in, the pads still don't fit, then either the pads are wrong, or the calipers were assembled with the wrong pistons or.....
 
...or maybe the rebuilder did little or nothing to the calipers? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif Only other suggestion I might offer is that, occasionally, you'll get a bit more leverage for pushing those pistons in if the caliper is mounted (sans pads) to the vertical link. Or, if you've got an old and very worn pad, that's even better to lever on! Generally, those pistons will glide in smoothly without extraordinary effort needed if all is otherwise ok with the caliper.
 
Aloha Kindofblue,

You should be able to push the piston into the caliper with your fingers, particularly if it has been recently rebuilt and has clean internals. If it is connected to the brake hydraulics you'll need to open the bleeder. Forcing it with tools can scratch or score the piston and/or crack the caliper. To get the rubber seal into the caliper, a little more leverage may be needed. I use a piece pine 1 x 2 through the caliper, with it laying on the bench and press down on the wood with my hands. Good luck.

Safety Fast,
Dave
 
I am thinking of connecting the calipers up to the system, adding fluid into the system, and seeing if that helps them push back the little bit left they need to go.

Triumph Rescue in Bally, PA rebuilt the calipers. The owner, and one his staff, are active members of the local club. I trust the rebuild.
 
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