Topic: Front brake caliper piston removal.

[crazypj]

Hi Folks,
I found a new way to possibly hurt myself, it was so easy and fun I had to share  
 1970's Honda's all used similar caliper so it may work for someone else.
Didn't want to do the usual beating/drilling/grease gun etc. so though of something new.
HEAT
 Got hold of a long 10x1.25mm bolt and nut, copper washer and spacer.
 Sealed up caliper and started warming things up. Old fluid started to get hot and caused pressure inside
 I knew it was going to work when the pad moved. 
 I would say though, wear long sleeves, safety glasses  and do it outside in open air.
 DON'T POINT IT AT ANYTHING IMPORTANT, piston comes out real fast
 Its probably no more dangerous than using compressed air to remove pistons (except for boiling brake fluid  )
 Couple of pics.
You can imagine how bad the pad was stuck
PJ
 

[Bob550four]

I wouldnt be comfortable doing that myself.  but I got mine to move by using my master cylinder, a bunch more fluid and just kept pumping.  piston casually pops out and you can control it fairly well. 
no messy grease to clean up, no boiling fluid to burn you, no real risk of injury.

[BobbyR]

I tried all the usual ways and nothing worked. The heat did the trick, just don't stand in front of it.

[crazypj]

I wouldnt be comfortable doing that myself.  but I got mine to move by using my master cylinder, a bunch more fluid and just kept pumping.  piston casually pops out and you can control it fairly well. 
no messy grease to clean up, no boiling fluid to burn you, no real risk of injury.

 I couldn't use your method as the master cylinder was full of jelly.
PJ

[MikeD718]

i capped the brake line port, and used an airchuck with about 100psi through the bleeder port to shoot my piston out.

[BobbyR]

i capped the brake line port, and used an airchuck with about 100psi through the bleeder port to shoot my piston out.

I actually did the same thing but we used 200 PSI shop air directly plumbed to the Caliper - no dice. Once I put the torch to it the sound of an M80 blast filled the shop and the piston disappeared somewhere. I gave the unit to my friend who shipped it to his rebuilder in Cali and they fitted a SS piston and whatever else it needed.  If you use heat do not stand in front of it!!!!!!

[crazypj]

It wasn't going anywhere with the 125psi I had available 
PJ

[kta]

This is a great idea. I have struggled a few times with stuck pistons and usually end up swapping out master cylinders to get a good one. Great tip!

[City Boy]

I had occasion to take apart a 900F caliper the other day.Ihave a spare MC and some old brake lines so I filled the  system with water,half assed bleed and bingo,out came the pistons.Easy cleanup,no wasted brake fluid,no injury hazard!

[BobbyR]

I agree that you go the most conservative route first. There are some like mine that would take extreme measures to remove. If 200 PSI piped directly into the caliper will not move a piston, it is stuck. With the heat we are expanding the caliper metal and probably causing an explosion at the same time. It is your last option and should be done carefully.
That piston sailed over some railcars and was never seen again.

[crazypj]

. If 200 PSI piped directly into the caliper will not move a piston, it is stuck. With the heat we are expanding the caliper metal and probably causing an explosion at the same time. It is your last option and should be done carefully.
That piston sailed over some railcars and was never seen again.

Thats funny (and potentially serious) but, don't care who you are, thats funny
 
PJ

[goon 1492]

i capped the brake line port, and used an airchuck with about 100psi through the bleeder port to shoot my piston out.

I actually did the same thing but we used 200 PSI shop air directly plumbed to the Caliper - no dice. Once I put the torch to it the sound of an M80 blast filled the shop and the piston disappeared somewhere. I gave the unit to my friend who shipped it to his rebuilder in Cali and they fitted a SS piston and whatever else it needed.  If you use heat do not stand in front of it!!!!!!

SWEEEET that almost sounds like it could be fun, mount up four calipers to a stand, setup some targets and blamo- high caliper target practice, only at the local gun range though for saftey purposes

[Prospect]

Hi Folks,
I found a new way to possibly hurt myself, it was so easy and fun I had to share  
 1970's Honda's all used similar caliper so it may work for someone else.
Didn't want to do the usual beating/drilling/grease gun etc. so though of something new.
HEAT
 Got hold of a long 10x1.25mm bolt and nut, copper washer and spacer.
 Sealed up caliper and started warming things up. Old fluid started to get hot and caused pressure inside
 I knew it was going to work when the pad moved. 
 I would say though, wear long sleeves, safety glasses  and do it outside in open air.
 DON'T POINT IT AT ANYTHING IMPORTANT, piston comes out real fast
 Its probably no more dangerous than using compressed air to remove pistons (except for boiling brake fluid  )
 Couple of pics.
You can imagine how bad the pad was stuck
PJ
 

I guess both the bleed valve and brake line holes have to be sealed up for this to work?

[crazypj]

leave bleeder locked down, seal up fluid line, heat til it 'explodes'   
 As I said, its stupid and dangerous, that's what makes it fun 

PJ

[Prospect]

Thanks crazypj.  Worked like a charm.