JKDGabe Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 '73 240 with Toyota rear disc conversion, the left rear is locked up and won't let go. I tapped on it but don't know much about brakes and was scared to do more. Any ideas? I ran a search but didn't find anything, if there's a site just point the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 First, try bleeding it, probably won't work but worth a try. Probably bad piston seal or pitted piston. Could just be junk in the caliper. Either way, take the caliper off the car, take it apart, a little compressed air where the brake line goes on will usually get one piston out. Clean all parts. You may need to get a seal kit and replace the rubber seals in the caliper or you could get lucky and put it back together and be OK. If all else fails just use your caliper as a core and get a remanufactured one. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synlubes Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 JKDGabe Just a friendly note Be very careful using compressed air to blow the piston out of that caliper. It will fly out of that caliper like a rocket. Make sure that when the piston comes out that is not going to hit anything. I like to use a piece of wood to put in the caliper so the piston does not come all the way out and then use something to remove it the rest of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dp351zcar Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 And be very careful not to get your fingers in the way of the piston as it would crush them. Use a piece wood like suggested and be very careful. To get the caliper off the rotor try tapping it on the sides after you unbolt it. Use the piece of wood to protect the caliper from the hammer as you are only trying to drive in one piston enough to get clearance to take it off the car. Good luck Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 What master cyl are you using?? Is it a master intended for rear disc? If not it may have a residual pressure valve in it and that would be the likely culprit. This valve holds anywhere from 3to 15 lbs of line pressure to keep the rear drum brakes at a state of immediate readyness since they are not as reactive as disc. Crack the brake line at the master or the calipert and see if there is any pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted March 4, 2003 Author Share Posted March 4, 2003 Thanks guys! Took it off, flushed it, put it back on and had it working 'til I put the e-brake cable on. Took it off again to get the cable off easier and now the piston won't go back enough to get the calipers wide enough to fit over the rotor. Maybe if I put the hydraulic line on with the brake pedal down to pull the piston out when I let the brake go? Guess I'll try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 4, 2003 Share Posted March 4, 2003 Unless you have to screw the piston back down again (which is a common means of widening the gap on emergency brake calipers). When you used the emergency brake, it spun the screw inside the piston to "rachet it out" which is why the emergency brake is used to adjust the calipers over the time the car is used. Once you do this, releasing the fluid may not give you enough relief to place the caliper back over the rotor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 I agree with Terry, alot of calipers need to be reset by screwing in the piston. There are inexpensive tools that can be bought or better , rented for this purpose. Some are reverse patttern though and when you "screw" it back in some inward pressure is sometimes needed to pursuade it backwards. I take it that the slide pins are well lubedto prevent binding as well? Good luck!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted March 5, 2003 Author Share Posted March 5, 2003 I took it apart, tapped it with a hammer and voila! Works like a charm. My thanks to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 Good to hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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