Refurbing calipers - pic update

[scarr89]

Would it be possible to refurb a set of calipers your self or would you need to send them back to original maker?

Ie, I have a spare set of mk4 calipers just collecting dust. I have access to a shot blaster at work which I could use to strip them right back to bare metal and get all the gunk and crap out of them but then what would I need to do make as if they were brand new again? Buy seals etc? I don't really have a clue but am willing to try if it would give me 'like new' brakes on the wagon. 

Cheers peeeps

[Seanl]

Its really easy mate tbh. A new seal set is probs available from fleabay for a few quid, then its just a case of stripping, blasting, painting, and reassembling and greasing and your all done. 

[clipperjay]

I would check if the piston itself is rusted or pitted if they are it might be cheaper to get secondhand ones and junk yours? Not sure costs of new pistons for calipers if they are ATE I'm sure its not cheap plus the time and effort in cleaning them up is it worth it?   

[scarr89]

I have done a little bit of mooching around and I think I could get a refurb kit with seals and the rest of the gubbins needed for the refurb (not the piston or bleed nipples) for about £40-50 for both front and rears. The cost of a new caliper is about £50 a corner  so....I fancy doing this just to give me some experience and keep off the street corners 

I currently don't know the condition of the piston etc, when I go home in 2 weeks I'll bring them back with me and totally strip and then inspect! Just dipping a toe in the water at the mo!

I was thinking if succesful then I'd get a full system bleed and then some braided lines which would give me a 'brand' new braking system as my brakes need some TLC after all those miles 

[scarr89]

Here is some pics of the calliper getting murked with the shot blaster! Makes one hell of a difference as you can see!

I took the bleed nipple off and the piston out along with all the seals...Getting the piston out was tough work, any tips on this?

Also as the entire thing has been in the shot blasting cabinet the insides have obviously gotten all sandy  . Now will it be ok to flush through with a pressure washer when I'm all done with them and then dry them out thoroughly or would you guys suggest something else?





This took me about 30min and only half done 

[clipperjay]

You need it 100% free of grit mate 
Looking good though 

[scarr89]

You need it 100% free of grit mate 
Looking good though 

Oh ofcourse mate. I had din dins to attend to 

Heading back tomorrow to finish it hopefully. Any idea on how to 'clean' the insides?

[Wayne]

Any idea on how to 'clean' the insides?

Wash out with the parts washer, then dry out as required should be fine.

[Seanl]

Any idea on how to 'clean' the insides?

Wash out with the parts washer SINK, then dry out as required should be fine.

Fixed. 

[scarr89]

I'll give it a good rinse and then get some proper parts cleaner from halfrauds or something!




All clean and shot blasted  I'll paint them then get the seals...Which colour peeps? I'm thinking R32 calliper blue