Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[UKdave2002]

In many workshop manuals there is a very clear statement along the lines of; “Under no circumstances should the brake caliper be split” …why?

Splitting makes servicing calipers so much easier, it’s not complicated; there is usually an “O” ring which may be as old as the car and would benefit from being replaced. Yes you have to re-assemble the calliper correctly under scrupulously clean conditions, torque the bolts correctly and check it all seals and hold pressure, but this is no different to working on other components in the hydraulic system.

So why the dire warning ?

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

It was pointed out to me a few years ago, that 'scrupulously clean' in terms of hydraulics is not the same as what most people mean by scrupulously clean.

The minimum air quality in the room has to be what is known as 'Hepa clean,' which I understood to be the next step down after sterile.

I wish someone would explain the reasoning behind this better to me!

UJ

[magic9r]

Given the amount of crap that gets pushed through the caliper from deteriorating systems plus that which forms in a caliper that's total BS.
The two main reasons are:-

1 - No one will advise you to split them because they don't want the liability for what might happen if they came apart again in use and they cannot assess your competence to do the job.

2 - The industry has a vested interest in selling you a new or recon part, some places are now refusing to sell caliper service kits on liability grounds but will get you an exorbitantly expensive exchange unit, undoubtably precision built in a clean room by some 18 year old gimp with a vocational qualification and neat clean fingernails.

Go figure,
Regards,
Nick

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

I worked for Lucas Girling for several years and calipers were assembled on a standard production line, not in some clinical clean room. The O'ring replacement makes sense, so might replacing the bridge bolts with new high tension ones, but so long as you use the same care that you would for say a head gasket, I see no reason why a caliper should not be dismantled for servicing