3 replies to this topic

[philip663]

Evening all

My callipers needed a replacement so i decided to do my first project thread on them so bear with me!

To minimise time the mini was off the road i decided to buy a cruddy pair off eBay cheap and rebuild them all nice new and shiny. Here’s the lovely pair I bought:

 

 

Not so nice as you can see, the Chrome dipped rusty pistons were no greater! They shall be replaced with stainless ones

 

To remove the pistons without a compressor was a challenge. With the help of my dad we used a foot pump, a cut in half brake pipe, a nozzle jammed in the brake pipe end, built the pressure up to around 40psi and gave the calliper a persuading ‘knock’ with a hammer. Got all 4 out eventually

Although inside was uglier than the outside!!

 

 

But that wasn’t anything that a few dozen wire/brass dremel brushes couldn’t sort out:

 

 

Once id made sure the grooves were completely clean and smooth i polished the insides with alu polish and it came out nice and smooth, it’s like the metal is stained from the rot!

Progressed on to sorting the callipers out for their powder, taping inside and blocking off any holes:

 

 

Back from my friend and wow, they are like new!! Smooth, nice to touch, no more rough patches, I’m chuffed!

 

 

Nice, real nice!! So i split the calliper back down to fit the pistons easier and of course the inner seal:

 

 

 

 

This turned out to be a pain in the arse in the end, two sets of dust seal rings later i had them done! I eventually opted for the plank of wood approach and a vice, worked in the end that way for me:

 

 

Some nice titanium bolts to add to the nice powder!

 

 

Now to put the callipers back together!

 

 

Nice..

I Torque them to 50 ft lbs which seemed pretty tight for me, same as a cylinder head!! Loctite used of course

Putting them on the car was the next step, mornings work including new disks! Out with the old, in with the new:

 

 

 

Nice, just nice =D

 

So costing:

£10 for the callipers

£38 on stainless pistons

£5 for my ******* up with the seals

£15 titanium bolts

£3.77 on nipples and inner seals

£15 for the blast and powdering

Brings it to the grand total of £86.77

 

Which comparing it to minispares calliper if i were too of bought new for £124.80 means i have saved £38.03 by doing the work myself, plus the satisfaction that i have done it myself, they are red and have titanium/stainless parts.  (Yes the 5bhp extra i have gained through them being red!! Is true in my opinion as the car doesn’t drag anymore and the wheel spin freely!! Woo)

I also plan on recouping some of the cost back through cleaning, blasting and powdering my used callipers and selling them on to bring down the cost of the new set so hopefully it shouldn’t of cost me that much for a ‘new’ set of front brakes

 

Hope my first project thread wasnt a bore, radius arm one to come next!

 

Phil

[cooperdan]

Niceeeee

[Carlos W]

The callipers look great, but be careful spending loads on the set you're going to sell! You may not make your money back!

[myredmini]

Very niceee!!!