Before you chuck ya rear calipers...

[Jim Bowen 1]

yeah, i meant the fronts btw, there is nothing holding them in, they just slide in and out

 

a pic of the pistons in this thread

 

http://www.vagweb.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7234

[steveo29 0]

on the rears can you get the actual handbrake lever out of the caliper? is there a seal on that or anything to refurb

[Jim Bowen 1]

just digging this up as i've got some rear calipers now to rebuild.

 

the bit that has a spring on the caliper, is this the handbrake mech, does the lever come totally out? i can get it out about 1cm but no more.

 

also i didn't know the main piston is screwed in, i've tried to pull it out, its about halfway out now.

 

do i need a special tool?

[A-J 0]

you'll need a caliper windback tool. I got one from tooled up via amazon the other day for around £15.

[Jim Bowen 1]

does this tool also pull the piston out?

[Jim Bowen 1]

ive found two types?

 

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=16508

 

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=16507

[coolrado 0]

you can remove the piston by cranking the handbrake lever, the piston moves out on a ratchet system, the tool is just for winding them back in.

[Jim Bowen 1]

i was twisting that by hand and it just moved out a tiny amount, then back in.............just a tiny amount

 

i take it they can't be blown out with an airline then? are the pistons actually attached to something?

 

same with the lever bit that spins for handbrake, does that pull out?

[coolrado 0]

yeah they can be blown out with an airline if you are careful, did you make sure you moved the handbrake lever all the way to its limit and all the way back each time?

 

the piston sits over a spiral shaped bar which will allow it to move out in a straight line but will only return by turning it as its pushed back.

[Jim Bowen 1]

not the lever on car as i bought them second hand, i'll try playing with the lever on caliper again.

 

i got one piston half out by levering it out with a spanner, but it only went halfway

[coolrado 0]

Yeah sorry i meant the lever on the caliper.

[Jim Bowen 1]

i've just had a thought, wouldn't i be better off exchanging my old calipers for new ones, saves alot of time i spose.

 

i have 4 rear calipers now :( as i bought a pair to refurb i should of thought of this

[A-J 0]

Refurb kit is £15 a side so get an up to date price and compare it. The first tool you linked would do for winding back the front pistons, the second one I had no idea but the one I have is

 

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=134051

[Jim Bowen 1]

Refurb kit is £15 a side so get an up to date price and compare it. The first tool you linked would do for winding back the front pistons, the second one I had no idea but the one I have is

 

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=134051

 

 

now that makes much more sense to me :lol: looks right

[Laughingboy 0]

If it helps Jim, you can get the rewind tool out of Halfords for around £10 to £12. its labelled as a rewind tool by draper. I remove the pistons with a foot pump and an old bleed nipple from a late spec mk1 golf cabrio. the bleed nipple is massive and fits into the hose line hole. you then just pop it on the floor and pump, then hey presto... piston out! easy peasy :norty:

 

Edited to say, checked etka and I can't find that bleed nipple... wondering myself now where it came from!

[boost monkey 0]

not the lever on car as i bought them second hand, i'll try playing with the lever on caliper again.

 

i got one piston half out by levering it out with a spanner, but it only went halfway

 

you might damage the thread on the piston or the pin it threads onto if you lever them out. just twist them anti-clockwise when they start to get loose.

[boost monkey 0]

If it helps Jim, you can get the rewind tool out of Halfords for around £10 to £12. its labelled as a rewind tool by draper. I remove the pistons with a foot pump and an old bleed nipple from a late spec mk1 golf cabrio. the bleed nipple is massive and fits into the hose line hole. you then just pop it on the floor and pump, then hey presto... piston out! easy peasy :norty:

 

Edited to say, checked etka and I can't find that bleed nipple... wondering myself now where it came from!

 

do you know if this works on fronts? i need to replace the seals on my 280s.

[Laughingboy 0]

Yep, rebuilt my two sets of mk1 girling calipers this way. compressed air would be best but the foot pump is a lot more gentle with less risk of firing pistons around the garage! :norty:

[boost monkey 0]

cool cheers :salute: