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diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6088

Rebuilding front calipers.... pistons?

I'm just rebuilding a pair of front vented calipers for the 110. I have the oil seal kit, but the pistons are a bit past their best.

Where is a good place to get a set of 8? looking on eblag, plenty of people sell the whole kit, but as i say, i've already got the seals so don't really want to bother with those, and some are as low as sub tenner for a complete caliper kit... obviously the quality of the piston material will reflect this.

Stainless ones would be ok as well. just after a supplier.

cheers.

PS once these are fitted, then the military HD vented discs and calipers will be up for grabs... they're HUGE!!

2nd Jun 2013 3:17pm

landybehr

Member Since: 17 Apr 2013
Location: -D-
Posts: 173

To be fair I have to say that my trial-use of s/s pistons has been about 8-10 years ago.
I didn´t rate them very high. There is no "one" stainless steel, but many different types of.
What I got, was very soft I guess. I have no other clue to why there was rust around the outer (dust) seal after 1-2years which was worse than what you normally see after 10-15years. My idea is that the softer-than-chrome-plated piston surface got tiny scratches which let unnoticeable amounts of brake fluid pass - and then cause the rust. I stayed with regular pistons from then on and silicon-type brake fluid.
But maybe the pistons now on the market are better. (in case one wants to overhaul them and not buy new ones, with manufacturers guarantee).

2nd Jun 2013 5:01pm

cobs

Member Since: 12 Jun 2008
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 336

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Cairns Blue

try: www.brakesint.co.uk

2nd Jun 2013 5:42pm

sense of adventure

Member Since: 11 Nov 2011
Location: warwickshire
Posts: 147

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Galway Green

Ring Zeus engineering

3rd Jun 2013 7:03am

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6088

sense of adventure wrote:
Ring Zeus engineering

I sent them an email yesterday funnily enough. Will see what they can offer.

3rd Jun 2013 8:55am

landybehr

Member Since: 17 Apr 2013
Location: -D-
Posts: 173

they probably have changed the type stainless steel meanwhile.

3rd Jun 2013 8:55pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2635

I used Zeus stainless pistons and genuine L/R seal kits to rebuild the calipers on the front of my 90 last year. I can't remember when, but I think it was before the summer.

Anyway, they seem to be doing sterling service so far. Next step is the rear calipers, as they're in a pretty poor state. I will have no hesitation in sourcing a set of pistons for them from Zeus when the time comes.

I'm sure you know this so please forgive me if I am teaching you to suck eggs, but a radius arm washer makes a good flat surface for pressing the retaining rings in. And I found the easiest way was to fit the main seal, well lubed up. Then insert the piston with 1/2" proud, fit the wiper seal to the retainer ring, pop it over the piston and press the whole assembly home in one go.

7th Jun 2013 10:10pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6088

Ah cool. cheers for that fitting info.

Zeus haven't replied, so obviously they've got enough money already.

8th Jun 2013 5:32am

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6088

Anyone had experience with Allmakes pistons?

25th Jun 2013 6:22am

Stulios

Member Since: 22 Jun 2013
Location: Wirral
Posts: 22

1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alveston Red

Ive just ordered a set of OEM quality ones from Island 4x4

This should be the right page for you: http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/front-front-ve..._2989.html

There are 3 options, Britpart, OEM or Bearmach SS, priced from £1.99 to £7 +VAT each.

Stu

25th Jun 2013 9:55am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7983

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

Jamie, Bearmach (exeter 4x4 store poc BEN) do stainless and other types at good prices and i am pleased with their performance on the ones i have rebuilt.

Having said that with the cost of pistons £10 each plus the time you can buy new calipers for not a lot more, last time vented ones were cheaper than non vented too! Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

25th Jun 2013 12:13pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6088

Cheers all.

I've got a pair of good condition calipers here which i've stripped and cleaned, and have a new set of seals to put in. So it seems a shame to bin them and buy new ones when it's just the pistons that need changing (or maybe just a darn good polish)

I spoke to someone who's rebuilt quite a few calipers, and he reckons that the slightly softer metal of the stainless (as opposed to the chrome finish) allows dirt to scratch the surface and then get more dirt "stuck in" and cause siezures, as opposed to the tough chrome finish that doesn't seem to give this problem.

25th Jun 2013 2:30pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7983

i was in a similar position so i bought new and sold the partically cleaned piston less calipers for more than the new replacements cost me....

Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

25th Jun 2013 3:56pm

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