New front brake caliper, bad piston seal??

futureboycolin · Post by **futureboycolin** » 12 Aug 2015, 16:06

Hey guys, I'm replacing my front brake calipers today, and got some reman from FCP. Looks like the piston boot/seal isn't seated properly on the front right one. I'll attach a picture.

If I go ahead and install it, will it reseat itself or am I just asking for trouble?

Is there a way I can reseat the boot before I put it all back together?

Post by **cn90** » 12 Aug 2015, 16:08

You can reseat the boot yourself.
I posted info below...

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=37721

futureboycolin · Post by **futureboycolin** » 12 Aug 2015, 16:14

Is there a way to push out the piston without an air compresser?

I reconnected the caliper to the brake line to stop it from leaking. Can I push it out using the brake pedal?

futureboycolin · Post by **futureboycolin** » 12 Aug 2015, 17:02

Well, good news is that I reseated the piston boot.

The bad news is that I can't for the life of me loosen up the top bolt on the caliper bracket. I'm on my way to get a torch and hit it with some heat. It's soaking in WD40 right now, but if this fails, I'm not sure what I will do...leave the old bracket on? I'm so close to rounding the bolt.

Post by **abscate** » 13 Aug 2015, 04:23

Wd40 is not a penetrating oil. Use PB blaster it Liquid a Wrench, or the infamous acetone/ATF mix if you like to cook meth.

You need to wire brush the bolts and apply this for three days at least to let it soak in. Ring the bolt heads with a hammer too. Patience patience and persistence. It took years to freeze up, take a few days to loosen it.

Deal with it now as you need to get this off when you need to replace rotors

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 17 Aug 2015, 08:22

Make sure you use 6 point sockets-- I have had good luck with steady force using a 3 foot breaker bar.

If the head is buggered up when you get it off, buy a new one.

Good luck!

jakeman1111 · Post by **jakeman1111** » 05 Jan 2018, 13:44

I had same problem with top caliper bolt. Tried every chemical loosening agent known. Final solution: Removed slide pins to allow removal of hydraulic portion of caliper. Doing so allowed me Saws-All access to bolt head. Using metal cutting blade (make sure spindle is fully turned to obtain room for Saw-All). Wire brush clean bolt flange to steering knuckle mating flange to allow for precise placement of cutting blade. Cut bolt head off and the remaining caliper part can be removed

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jan 2018, 15:19

Thats a nasty piece of work, Jake - well done..

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 05 Jan 2018, 17:59

Wowsers...

I'm guessing the heat wasn't able to break that bond.