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MG MGA - Brake caliper piston seals

Hi people;
This one should be quick and easy. (Ha!) I've a 1960 1600 and sometime in the past, the center pin in the brake calipers were removed in order to use the less expensive MGB pistons, Since I'm switching from Dot 3 to Dot 5 I'd like to replace the old seals. Which seal set should I be ordering; the one for the original spec with the pins or the set for the MGB?
About the job itself, any thoughts that start off with phrases like "Watch out for", "Be sure that you", or "Whatever you do, don't..." would also be welcomed.. :)
Thanks.
-Rick
Rick deOlazarra

Rick,

Since all you've done to the 1600 calipers is remove the center pin then it stands to reason you'd order the seals for the 1600 calipers (the seals fit in the side wall of the caliper and have nothing to do with the pin).

I recently purchased a 1600 and was going to replace the seals but couldn't get the new seals to fit sufficiently into the grooves to allow a piston to go in. The seals came from Scarborough Faire and came with the car so I don't know how old they were (do they grow with age?). I ended up buying new calipers.

Gene
Gene Gillam

Rick,
I'd go with the stock seals, although either should work since the pistons are the same size. The tough part, in my experience, is the dust seals, the ones with the metal flange that go in after the pistons are installed. Very easy to damage these. A tip I read about (don't remember where) is to file or grind a chamfer on the OD of the lip of the metal flange. I ruined one set befor I did this, then they went in great. It's a very thin section so you must be careful. Use a file or, very carefully, a grinder.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

I always thought the MGA and MGB seals were the same? I managed to get some NOS lockheed seal kits and seem to remember they were suitable for both.
N McGurk

Your most likely right. I've never done more than check/change the pads; otherwise ignorant on the caliper. I read from an old worksheet that the calipers were modified to accept mgb pistons, and being clueless, didn't know whether the mod would affect choice of the 2 sets.
Anyway, I've got the MGA seal set and one of the calipers off & on the bench, so, other than screwing things up, it looks like I've got what I need.
Thanks for the help!
Rick deOlazarra

x2 on GTF's comment about filing off the outer corner edge on the metal retainer. Make sure it is started all the way round before pushing it into place!
N McGurk

This thread was discussed between 11/01/2013 and 14/01/2013

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