lansalot Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 OK, so I read Les' excellent seal-renovation guide in the Tech archive, and very useful it was too. Then found I don't have a suitable-sized socket to get the seal retainer in. Already wrecked one trying it in a vice. Any other suggestions please folks ? And should I fit the piston last? It should make the seal a bit more flexible come fitting-time, yeah ? Cheers A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I 'm assuming you mean the pesky steel retainer rings to hold the caliper piston seals in? If so, I fitted the seal to the groove in the caliper, then pushed the piston into the seal, turning and wriggling the piston gently, but not all the way in (smear it all with brake fluid first). Then, fitted the dust seal and the retainer loosely over the piston. To get the retainer in, I pushed down gently at different places on the circumference of piston & retainer with a small G cramp round the caliper - use the fixed side against the piston & retainer. Once you have the retainer started all round(in one case I had to just ease it inwards into its starting place slightly with a small screwdriver) you can push the retainer, seal & piston in with the G cramp, working round the circumference a bit at a time, or all at once pressing with the cramp with a large thick washer. It's getting it started that's the swine, and it has to end up even. Gently does it - you can't rush it. I understand some makes fit better than others too. Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks Nigel, yeah that's the rings. I've ruined 3 retainers now so am gonna have to hit the suppliers up on Monday.. Grrr... Tried it with a big piece of flat steel over the whole thing, but it just crumpled. It honestly feels like it's just oversized or something. Annoying, was getting almost-quite-pleased with myself at progress. The little things take the most time, eh ? Pushing the edges in with a screwdriver, I tried that too... that was the demise of retainer #2... It also felt like it was springing-back on the seal. How on earth does this have to be so difficult? Grrrr Any other hot-tips folks ? At the moment, it's all bagged up for a visit to a tame mechanic.... Cheers A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks Nigel, yeah that's the rings. I've ruined 3 retainers now so am gonna have to hit the suppliers up on Monday.. Grrr... Tried it with a big piece of flat steel over the whole thing, but it just crumpled. It honestly feels like it's just oversized or something. Annoying, was getting almost-quite-pleased with myself at progress. The little things take the most time, eh ? Pushing the edges in with a screwdriver, I tried that too... that was the demise of retainer #2... It also felt like it was springing-back on the seal. How on earth does this have to be so difficult? Grrrr Any other hot-tips folks ? At the moment, it's all bagged up for a visit to a tame mechanic.... Cheers A I have 6 new 52mm outside diameter rings here, just PM your postal address if they would be useful, can post tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks Western, I believe my calipers (despite being on Defender) are Range Rover Classic pre-86 rear - would that be right ? Brake fittings are imperial I think.. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 these are 110 fronts, I refitted the original retainers as they were in good condition, the retainers for rear calipers are smaller, just compared these fronts to my new rear calipers [waiting to be fitted] & they are a lot bigger diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Ah OK, thanks for the kind offer anyway, much appreciated :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruuman Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I 'm assuming you mean the pesky steel retainer rings to hold the caliper piston seals in? If so, I fitted the seal to the groove in the caliper, then pushed the piston into the seal, turning and wriggling the piston gently, but not all the way in (smear it all with brake fluid first). Then, fitted the dust seal and the retainer loosely over the piston. To get the retainer in, I pushed down gently at different places on the circumference of piston & retainer with a small G cramp round the caliper - use the fixed side against the piston & retainer. Once you have the retainer started all round(in one case I had to just ease it inwards into its starting place slightly with a small screwdriver) you can push the retainer, seal & piston in with the G cramp, working round the circumference a bit at a time, or all at once pressing with the cramp with a large thick washer. It's getting it started that's the swine, and it has to end up even. Gently does it - you can't rush it. I understand some makes fit better than others too. Nigel did this last week and the above technique worked perfectly, but I used a perfectly flat piece of 1/4 tool steel between the piston and g-cramp that covered the piston and retainer. Every one went in true and quickly. I buggered up the first 3 trying to work it in around the edges. Helps if you hold the calliper in a vice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Thanks fella Another couple ruined - with a perfect-sized socket and a hydraulic press. Grrr !! Got 4 more to try, and then that's it - I'm torching the vehicle and claiming the insurance Cheers all A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I did both of my rear calipers (like yours, early RRC) without scrapping any, in fact they were done at the kitchen table by hand. I did, however, use Lockheed seal kits because of previous posts which had indicated many problems using pattern seal kits with duff retaining rings. Are you using good quality seal kits ? HTH Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Use genuine seal kits and you'll find they fit better - still fiddly but more do-able. Pattern ones just dont fit right! Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B reg 90 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Try filling a small chamfer on the Outer diameter of the end of the retainer. It let's the retainer fit into the bore more easily with out catching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Hmm. Good suggestion there, thanks for that. Going to take it into the dining room and have it with the dremel I think... Think the part kits I got are... umm... Britpart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardAllen Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Hmm. Good suggestion there, thanks for that. Going to take it into the dining room and have it with the dremel I think... Think the part kits I got are... umm... Britpart... Sorry but the last word says it all. I bought a full set of blue-box seals for both front calipers on my 90 a couple of years ago. Bust every one without fitting any. I then bought LR genuine, and they went in a treat using socket method. This started my dislike of blue boxes and reluctance to buy from those who supply them. It does not comfort me that I can get an extended warranty on their bits, if I cannot fit them in the first place ! Regards - perhaps - a - little - unhelpfully Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B reg 90 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 'Britpart' - there's your problem. I tried this and couldn't get them to fit. Went back to genuine, never knackered on yet... There not nicknamed Sh*tpart for nothing. Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Britpart, I'd never have guessed >he said, tongue firmly in cheek < Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lansalot Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 As a wee update, I went round the caliper with a dremel and a wee sanding disc. Enough surface rust came away where those retainers go to allow them to fit. I had just used a wire-brush-point on the drill before, but there was some carp still lurking. Dremel got shot of it - plus, I was able to do the job in the warm at the dining table. Major result there.... Job done. Woohoo!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 don't forget to fit new seals to the caliper fluid drillings or they will leak these if you spilt the calipers in half you will need 4 of these as well -- 17H8764L http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/26/17H8764L-SEAL.html?search=17H8764L&page=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) . delete please Edited February 12, 2011 by western Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Excellent news ! It's always so much easier on the kitchen table Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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