I'd like to beat the dead horse by rebuilding couple of rear 430 calipers I acquired for cheap (like $50). These calipers belong to a car that was totaled by fire, hence the price. The seals inside aren't completely damaged although not useable any more, that's why I think the metal part maybe not be warped or anything , hence rebuildable. My first question is, however, what solution do I put the calipers in? IMO, Immerse calipers into a solution serves 2 purposes, one is because some of the pistons won't come out thanks to the partially melted seal inside. Second is to clean up everything inside. Second question is, what is the source of the seals except hill engineering? pictures are taken after cleaning up the outside of one caliper, which I can pull all pistons out. The other caliper not shown has 2 stuck pistons. I used compressed air out push out the pistons. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Assuming the calipers are aluminum alloy, be sure you dont use anything caustic to try and clean them. It will react very badly with thick white fumes and eat the metal. To remove the pistons you need to blank off the cylinders of the empty ones and then attach a grease gun filled with hydraulic fluid to the inlet and pump them out. Take one out at a time and restrict the movement of the others. Blank the empty holes Depending on the surface damage you may be able to polish them up with a scotchbrite wheel mounted in a Lathe chuck
I've rebuilt fire damaged calipers - it's not really any different to the usual process. You can use judicious application of a blow torch to help with stuck seals. To remove the seals themselves soak the caliper in two pack paint thinners and use a plastic tool to clean out the seal lands. Seals are pretty standard things. I rebuilt my CCM calipers with seals from eBay - they cost only a few pounds/bucks for the set.
