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Old 04 May 2013, 07:16 PM
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jaygsi
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Question 4 Pot Caliper refurbing

I didn't realise how bad my brakes were until after driving in a none turbo and nearly going though the window screen when breaking

I'm going to have ago at refurbing them myself, is this wise?

I've seen a few company's online say do not refurb yours calipers by yourself, trying to scare you off.

But saying that, its properly because they want the work. Any comments?
Old 04 May 2013, 07:23 PM
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Its easy enough if your mechanically minded , we sell loads of piston and seal kits for owners to do it themselves
Cheers Ian
Old 04 May 2013, 07:54 PM
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paul98typer
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Did my rears thursday. Straight forward enough. Getting the new pistons back in was hard work till i rigged up a homemade clamp. Good opportunity to flush all your old fluid out too. Got my refurb kit from scoobyworx.
Old 04 May 2013, 08:18 PM
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Are you going to have then sand blasted and are you painting them or powder coating them.

Thanks
Old 04 May 2013, 08:21 PM
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OK cheers, not sure, been looking at sand blasting kits, but knowing me i will damage myself. So thinking rub down myself and respray using VHT paint.
Old 04 May 2013, 08:28 PM
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I've done a couple of sets myself now...

https://www.scoobynet.com/920019-ama...-build-11.html

Give me a shout if you need any advice.
Old 04 May 2013, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jaygsi
OK cheers, not sure, been looking at sand blasting kits, but knowing me i will damage myself. So thinking rub down myself and respray using VHT paint.
Take pics step by step please have you got a spare set to try before
Old 05 May 2013, 04:34 PM
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Thanks Kwik, i'm sure i will have planty of questions

Can take few pics, no not got spare set though, have you tried this before?
Old 05 May 2013, 04:40 PM
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Kwik
I have a friend who os going to refurb some wrx four pots like you have done.
Do you split them in half or paint in 1 piece.
The brakes are fine piston and seal wise just need tidying up
Old 05 May 2013, 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jaygsi
Thanks Kwik, i'm sure i will have planty of questions

Can take few pics, no not got spare set though, have you tried this before?
Hi mate I've not tried but looking at my options
Old 05 May 2013, 05:47 PM
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Ok caliper removed and not in best condition, looked better nick than was as has had fresh coat of paint in past i'm guessing, 2 of the pistons are wrecked, you can see the corrosion

Old 05 May 2013, 06:07 PM
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Not good then what are the sleeves where pistons go like.

Are you refitting with stainless ones
Old 05 May 2013, 08:32 PM
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Don't reuse any of them, get all new pistons bud. Keep the buggered ones to use when spraying though.
Old 05 May 2013, 08:46 PM
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Thats what i though, would it be ok to push them in half way and spray the calipers then?

I should of rubbed down calipers before dismatling.

Last edited by jaygsi; 05 May 2013 at 09:44 PM.
Old 05 May 2013, 10:34 PM
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Get the calipers shot/grit blasted,clean up the bores not sure if you can get them shot blasted though,mask the bits up that shouldn't be painted and get them powder coated.

the price of shot blasting and powder coating is very cheap imo (recently had an inlet manifold and H brace stripped and powder coated for £50 cash )
Old 05 May 2013, 10:54 PM
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yep they are all shagged. when i get in the scoob after driving the bm all week i have to force the pedal down hard to stop. they are good brakes but the servo assist isnt the same as a modern car.
Old 07 May 2013, 10:43 AM
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Contacted company bout blasting calipers, might spray myself

Starting rubbing then down by hand, tempted buy a shot blasting kit there not that bad on price

Calipers look a right mess


Last edited by jaygsi; 07 May 2013 at 09:14 PM.
Old 07 May 2013, 08:50 PM
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It depends how quickly you need them mate.
Old 07 May 2013, 09:13 PM
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Pistons have come up better with a clean, top 2 are no good as one has rust on bore and other has chip, very tiny

Old 07 May 2013, 09:43 PM
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It's up to you, but think that those little pits will rub against the seal, and that seal saves you from hitting a wall. For what it costs for some stainless (or Ian at godspeed may be able to help you out with some standard non stainless pistons for less than the stainless) its worth doing for peace of mind, and you won't have to do all this again.

What I did was buy some oxalic acid from ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1kg-Oxalic...item1e6cad1a49

Whack them in that for a week or so. Take them out, rinse them and then use a wirebrush. Mine went from this....



To this once primered....



And yes, when you spray leave putting the new seals and pistons in until last, and spray with the old piston's just sitting inside the caliper.
Old 07 May 2013, 09:47 PM
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Hi jay I too would replace these as said above.

What sand blasting kit you thinking of

Also are you renewing the caliper bolts that hold the two pieces together
Old 07 May 2013, 09:55 PM
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This is how I sprayed mine...



Then finished the job with them bolted together.

As well as godspeed have a look here...
http://www.scoobyworx.com/brakes-13-c.asp

Last edited by Kwik; 07 May 2013 at 09:57 PM.
Old 07 May 2013, 11:51 PM
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I wasn't going to brake the calipers open as i've heard they can be a pain to seal up?

Can't see the need to either.

Good call on that Oxalic acid Cleaner & rust remover, looks the thing i need

Will replace all pistons, no point doing half job

Last edited by jaygsi; 08 May 2013 at 10:13 AM.
Old 08 May 2013, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jaygsi
I wasn't going to brake the calipers open as i've heard they can be a pain to seal up?

Can't see the need to either.

Good call on that Oxalic acid Cleaner & rust remover, looks the thing i need

Will replace all pistons, no point doing half job
Scoobyworx do the caliper seals for a couple of quid. The bolts can be a pain to loosen.
Old 08 May 2013, 07:19 PM
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so many good guides on here on how to paint your calipers correctly


And now for a guide how NOT to paint them

http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Brake-Calipers

See if you can spot the obvious mistake and talk about overspray
Old 08 May 2013, 08:50 PM
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Old 09 May 2013, 02:02 PM
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Oh dear. I've seen the video before though and was thinking of giving it a try
Old 13 May 2013, 08:28 PM
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How are you getting on Jay?
Old 14 May 2013, 11:14 PM
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Getting there, just waiting on parts, decided to paint with VHT spray cans. Will update soon
Old 14 May 2013, 11:19 PM
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