Lee225

iTrader: (1)

Can anyone tell me an easy way to remove the seized pistons from my 4pot front caliper please?

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Put it in a vice, hammer and chisel, hit behind the groove on top of piston, just one hard tap, then move to the over side and do the same, keep swaping sides, if you keep hitting same side won't move, plus wd40

Type_R_1984

What I done was.
Vice then turn the pistons with grips with a bar over the grips to give you leverage then once you get the pistons turning put a wedge under the grips so that when you turn the piston round the wedge will lift the grips and piston also if you get what I mean.
Quite hard to explain and they can be a right PITA but with plenty wd40 etc you'll get there.
Also the piston will most be likely fubar so will be needing renewed but I take it that's what your doing anyway?

bugblue1

iTrader: (3)

mine took ages to get out stuck solid,just keep at it m8,i used chisel & big flat head screw driver keep banging away at it plenty of wd40.

Davec30

iTrader: (2)

I tried the chisel thing and grips and it would not move. I then had to take a wheel off then connect the caliper to the car brake line and clamp three pistons with one remaining then pump the brake which eventually pushes the piston out!

Make sure it doesn't pop right out by using a piece of wood or something to stop it. Then move to the next piston until all 4 are out far enough to tap out with a hammer. Do both calipers, one after the other!!

Lee225

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the replies, tried the chisel and hammer way and it worked! 2 pistons on passenger seized solid and 1 on drivers side. All sorted now, thanks again!

Lee

SJ wrx

Is this a fairly common problem ? My 2001 bug appears to have a problem with the front calipers/discs . I've noticed that the outer faces of both front discs look very uneven like they haven't bedded in correctly although the inners are fine . I also get a lot of brake noise coming from the front ( very much like the sound you get once your down to the metal of the pad ).

Lee225

iTrader: (1)

Yes, it seems to be a very common problem with 4 pot fronts! Yours sound like mine were. My car feels completely different after replacing pistons, seals and rubbers.

Davec30

iTrader: (2)

Yes it is! The standard pistons corrode and seize up. Easiest way to fix is get them out, put them in the bin and order nice new stainless steel ones with new seals! Problem solved!

http://www.scoobyworx.com/4-pot-stai...r-kit-85-p.asp

SJ wrx

Thanks Lee , Looks like I've got a bit of work to do next weekend if the weather gets better .

I've only had my Subaru for a few weeks so I'm still getting my head round a few things that need to be sorted out ( The brakes being one of them followed by the cel ).

SJ wrx

Thanks for the link Dave , Its something I need to get on with as soon as possible ( It feels like driving without a brake servo ).

Lee225

iTrader: (1)

Removing the seized pistons can be a bit of a pain, once you've got them out it's pretty straight forward!
Good luck with it all sj.

SJ wrx

Cheers Lee , I'll let you know how I get on .

Lee225

iTrader: (1)

I paid £23 for seals and rubbers. £60 for stainless pistons.

AS Performance

iTrader: (4)

i find its the caliper bodies that corrode rather than the pistons..........

StealthScoob

Yes caliper body corrodes then damages the piston. So before fitting new pistons make sure the body of the caliper is either shot blasted of cleaned up a similar way or within months you'll be in the same boat with same problems.

I've done over 300 sets of these and never had a set back

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

No it doesn't , the chrome comes off the pistons and they start rusting , yes the caliper body top lip also rusts , but cleaning off the rust will generally not fix the problem , the problem will generally only be fixed with new pistons , and stainless steel ones will fix the piston fault for ever
And I have done a lot more than 300 sets of calipers lol

StealthScoob

Ian i said clean the body before you fit new pistons, and yes corrosion builds up on the casting it closes the tight tolerance gap between the piston and the caliper housing. This then rubs against the chrome coating on the piston and contributes to the pitting as it grips the piston. Hence why many people fit new pistons and have the same issue months down the line.

SJ wrx

Thanks for your help guys , I had a good look at my front and rear calipers today and as it turns out they have all been replace recently ( new calipers , pads and discs ) plus the service history parts break down backs it up as well . I would say they just haven't had a chance to bed in correctly yet .