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TR6 Question about rebuilt TR6 calipers

zmayne

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This is question for folks who have rebuilt their TR6 calipers. I installed the new seals that go inside the caliper and when I put the pistons back in it was very tight fit between the piston and the new seal. I ended up using a C-clamp to push the piston into the recess in the caliper. Put the calipers back on and now I can't get the system bled. Is it normal for the pistons to be so hard to push into the caliper with new seals? And is there a special trick to bleeding the brakes with rebuilt calipers? Help!
 
I've redone the inner and outer seals on my TR3 calipers (and others) and it is always difficult and time consuming to get the pistons properly seated.
The initial entry is the most difficult as everything is slippery with brake fluid (light coat for assembly) and getting by the dustcover and keeping everything in it's appropriate groove etc.
However, once in place I've never had them bind as you are describing.
Using a C clamp could get things out of alignment and the internal seal out of position causing it to bind.
If it were my car I'd pull them and redo for safety sake unless this is a common TR6 issue but I doubt it.
You could use air to attempt to bust them loose if too deeply seated but that could be a real mess with DOT 3 or 4 and spray fluid where you don't want it.
 
zmayne, ditto on prb51, one added step before installing. Put a bit of wood between the pistons and use air, moving them back and forth a few times, if they don't move something is wrong. Use brake grease when installing helps a bunch.

Wayne
 
The several sets of Girling calipers I've redone have never required more than pressure from a couple fingers to seat the pistons in the bores. You do need to ensure that the grooves for the dust cover and the fluid seal are completely clean, otherwise they can distort and cause binding. I have also discovered that some caliper kits have slightly undersized seals that cause problems and are basically unusable. I don't know if they were made that way or were older and possibly shrunk slightly.
 
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