rear brake rebuild tool

[BammBamm]

I am doing a full overhaul of the brake system. The rear brakes are ready to be assembled. How do I compress the EB piston the install the EB lever and the wedge insert on rear cailiper? Is there a tool I can make?

[lglade]

I did mine two years ago, so the memory is a bit faded. But as I recall, I used a big C-clamp and a block of wood (paint stir stick) to try to minimize slippage. The C-clamp will want to slide off since you can only use the very tip of it, so the wood gave the C-clamp and the piston each something to 'bite' into. After several tries, I was finally successful, but a little creative cutting with a Dremel tool might get the clamp to stay in place a little better. A second set of hands was also helpful: one set to hold the clamp in place with the second set operated the clamp.

Note that there are two ways the EB piston and wedge can be reassembled, but only one of them is correct. I had to disassemble/reassemble one caliper before I was finished with my job.

If you haven't seen this before, you may find it useful:
http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/re ... lipers.htm

[Odoyle]

I recall using a large file in the grove of the piston to push it in and turn it, worked great, just be sure the piston is perpendicular to the bore.

[BammBamm]

Whicb way does the wedge fit? Wide end to the caliper or to the EB lever pivot shaft?

[BammBamm]

I built a tool to get the EB lever back in but i cant get the pistons to screw in. The pistons are so tight they have to be pressed in with a c clamp. Im not sure how to proceed.

[DieselSpider]

I built a tool to get the EB lever back in but i cant get the pistons to screw in. The pistons are so tight they have to be pressed in with a c clamp. Im not sure how to proceed.

They are tight when you spin them back in. If the groove for the seal was cleaned pristinely and the seal seated evenly in the groove then after lubricating the piston and seal with brake fluid you should be able to spin the pistons back in using a large screwdriver or appropriate sized piece of bar stock. Pressing them straight in does not really work well unless the parts are really worn out.

[BammBamm]

So i must have stuff in the seal groove.

[lglade]

More than likely. The seals are of a high durometer material, so it only takes a few thousandths of an inch to really jam up the piston.

[BammBamm]

I cleaned the seal grooves again. They went together just fine. But noe the front drivers brake grabs so tight when i hit the brakes it violently pulls tye car left. Suggestions?

[DieselSpider]

Air in the system on the other side would be the usual culprit or the slides are sticking from lack of use. Did you apply a good silicone brake grease to the sliding parts between the caliper, brake pads and caliper mount at all 4 wheel positions?

[RRoller123]

If it stops pulling left when you take your foot off the brake, and this is the only symptom, i.e. otherwise drives and braked normally, then it is likely a problem with the right side not engaging enough to retain braking balance, versus a problem with the left. Likely either air or an obstruction in the right brake line.

[BammBamm]

I got a special rasp to clean out the seal groove. The pistons slid right in on both front brakes. I also blew out the steel brake lines. When i test drove it braked evenly but not real hard. I cant get them to lock up. After a few test miles and alot of stopping it started to pull left a little. Really not much. The bleeding went well. Does it need a booster or master cylinder? The calipers have all been rebuilt, rubber brake lines replaced, new pads and rotors.

[azruss]

It took forever for my pads to seat. Sounds like one of your calipers is bound up on the slider. Drive your car in reverse and slam on the brakes. Do this a couple of times and see if that cures your pull.

[BammBamm]

The brakes have gotten better. They brake evenly now but i still can't lock them up. Does it need a master cylinder or a new booster?

[Odoyle]

I have also overhauled the brake system on my 83 with new seals on all calipers, new pads, rotors, master cylinder, rear compensator, and replaced all flexible hoses and I am having the same result. The braking feels better, but not THAT much better, doesn't pull to one side or another under braking, but I expected the braking performance to be better than what it is. Possible that it could still have air in the lines, but the brakes were bled pretty well. I'm also thinking that the pads might need to be worked in more.