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Caliper Rebuild

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Jedi Trainee
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While rebuilding a front caliper (dust cover/ cylinder rubber ring kit) on '65 BJ8 I held my hobbyist electrical air pump fitting up against the inlet for the brake hose to pop out the pistons which happened just fine, but I also noticed a little fizzing around one of the bolt heads holding the caliper halves together, just a few bubbles. I recall reading that there are O rings that seal passages from one half to other and the do-it-yourselfer should never try to separate and then reseal the two halves. On the other hand I seem to recall a post years back that this can be accomplished. Moss catalogue shows no such O-rings and functionally equivalent bits. Or maybe just leave well enough alone, put in new pistons and rubber ring and hope all is well? Any suggestions.
Jay '65 3000
 
Doesn't sound good leaking around the bolt, the only place I know you can get the special o rings ( square profile) are British car specialists, I would be tempted to split them and rebuild. You could always smear some liquid soap around the bolts and try the air again to make sure. It would be easier to clean up the calipers with them split as well.
Get stainless pistons as well
Cheers andy
 
SC parts (UK /Europe do them as well. They're not cheap though. Good idea to get stainless pistons - mine have been in a bucket in the garage for a month now, not a mark on them.
 
I have split the calipers to rebuild a few times and have had no problems. Just make sure you get new square profile O-rings from either British Car Specialists or Pegasus. Bolt them back together tightly and you're good to go.
 
I haven't done Healy calipers but I have broken open several sets if the Girling cailpers used on Triumph and Sunbeam. Never had a problem with leaking afterwards, provided the surfaces weren't damaged. Not really a big deal in my opinion.
 
I'm also getting ready to rebuild the calipers on my BJ7. Are there any tricks or tips that folks might offer? Is it as simple as remove the bolts and they fall open? :smile: Is there anything to know about putting them back together? What should they be torked to?
 
I concur; not a big deal.

Ditto using the proper square-section O-rings (lubricate with red-rubber brake parts grease or brake fluid__never install an O-ring dry)

Torque bolts to appropriate value based on size (diameter) and grade of bolt (search online for specification).

Not a bad idea to replace the bolts, considering the faith we put in them...
 
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