Gen 1 brakes

[Timbo]

Hi all


Do I need any special tools to service and replace the seals on the brake calipers?


Thanks


Timbo

[PieEater]

I bought a set of brake piston pliers which made the job a lot easier. Similar to these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS1806-Motorcycle-Piston-Removal/dp/B000WZJ7NO

[Timbo]

Thanks

You don't have to take the shiney blue bits out then?

Bw

[PieEater]

Nope.

[Fazerjon]

I shall be getting one of those brake piston pliers for sure. I spent ages taking great care, and struggled a bit to get the pistons out of my old bikes calipers a few years ago, without damaging or scoring them. That tool would have made the whole job a piece of piss!

[PieEater]

They're also useful for rotating the pistons in place if you just want to give them a clean and coat of red rubber grease which I do when I replace the pads.

[robbo]

Coincidentally I ordered a pair of the Sealey VS1806 Brake Piston Removal pliers today. Cheapest I could find was £13.24 with free p&p, from buycarspares2. Hope this helps.

[PieEater]

Coincidentally I ordered a pair of the Sealey VS1806 Brake Piston Removal pliers today. Cheapest I could find was £13.24 with free p&p, from buycarspares2. Hope this helps.

They are currently £12.93 with free p&p on the Amazon link I gave above.

[robbo]

Doh......Thought I'd had a right result as some places asking well over 30 quid.I can't open links when using my phone so your useful info went under my radar.

[ram]

Doh......Thought I'd had a right result as some places asking well over 30 quid.I can't open links when using my phone so your useful info went under my radar.

£13.24 on ebay (just to make you feel a bit worse  )
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=piston+pliers+-ring&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=15

[robbo]

Yeah £13.24 on ebay, that's what I paid.

[Fazerjon]

Just ordered mine, £12.94 Amazon 

[Makiaveliko]

I refurbished my brakes without any special tools just used a air compressor and a piece of wood.

Those pliers seems a good tool to have when cleaning/maintenance is required. 

[gixersix]

Depends on how badly your pistons have seized. I had a load of old SRAD calipers and those Sealey pliers didn't have enough leverage to even turn the pistons, never mind extract them, and the serrations on the tips (that are supposed to grip the inside face of a piston) just smoothed off. NOT impressed. I think someone needs to make a set of mole-grip type locking pliers.
Admittedly, these were old seized pistons, but just goes to show even special tools sometimes DON'T get the job done. In hindsight, I'd buy a set of those expanding piston pullers, but you'd have to split the calipers to use them.

Meantime, I made a brake rig out of a SRAD rear brake and reservoir and goodridge line, and I hydraulically pumped all the pistons out.

[Graham53]

You can't split blue spot calipers , they are a one piece unit and actually not designed to be worked on and if the pistons are seized on the blue spot side which they usually are then the best way is to remove the blue spots with a spot removal tool.
Or so an article I read in practical sportsbikes a while ago said