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MG MGA - Brake Calipers

I've removed my brake calipers and inspected them, they were/are fine. I put them in a box with the other parts and went on my way. Now about a month later I remove them to clean and paint and the pistons are rusted slightly. They were not before.

Should I remove them and store them in fluid or what?

Also can they be removed with air pressure since the car is totally dissembled and if so about how much pressure will push out a piston.

I should note that they still turn with some effort so they are not frozen, yet.

Thanks,
Christopher
Christopher Wilson

If you remove them with compressed air be VERY careful. They can come out like a bullet from a Colt .45
They need to be pointed towards a container full of soft padding. Some people use a grease gun and expel them with grease. This is much safer, but it is a hell of a job getting all the grease out of the caliper. Grease attacks the piston seals and other rubber bits.
After cleaning the pistons wipe them with brake assembly grease for storage. This grease is specially for assembling brake parts, but be sure that you have the right item. They could be stored in brake fluid but it is hygroscopic (absorbs water). You would need to use new fluid, have no air space above the fluid and a tightly sealed cap.


Mick
M F Anderson

Storing parts in the same shed as swimming pool or spa chemicals (sodium hypochlorite) can cause them to rust quickly due to NaClO being a strong oxidizer.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore (1)

Christopher,
If you're concerned about rust, clean them, put a little light weight oil, store in a plastic bag with some moisture absorbing dessicant packs. When you're ready to re-install, just spray them with some brake cleaner to remove the oil.
As a person who lives in the north, having driven my cars in snow and salt, trust me, calipers are very robust when it comes to corrosion.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

Thanks fellas. 35 psi was enough to move the pistons and they are thankfully OK.

Calipers are now cleaned, assembled and stored in plastic per GTF. I could not find brake assembly grease at my local auto parts store. In fact they'd never heard of it.

Cheers,
Christopher

Christopher Wilson

Hi Christopher,

I use a grease when assembling brake parts that can be expected to go for long periods without use.
It is available from the biggest brake parts supplier here in Australia. Useful for all rubber parts that need lubrication, shafts moving through grommets, linkages located inside natural rubber boots etc.

http://www.pbr.com.au/products/replacement/ancillary.shtml



Mick
M F Anderson

This thread was discussed on 29/12/2008

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