90% Ecstacy 10% frustration-some help please! (with reinstalling brake pistons)
03-06-2007, 11:43 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
90% Ecstacy 10% frustration-some help please! (with reinstalling brake pistons)
Well I spent a superb day on my 88 S4 auto, replaced all the springs with Eibachs, 4new braided brake hoses fitted, got my newly painted calipers back from the powdercoaters and spent the day with two fellow 928 owners who where worth their weight in gold!
However as usual there was problems, removal of the front shocks was time consuming, we couldn't place the spring compressors in such a way that we could hit all 3 targets- even spring compression, positioning for removal of shock with the compressors attached AND access to the compressors with an air gun or ratchet, so we had to use a spanner and turn bit by bit
So the question is what is the best and easiest way?
Secondly my calipers had the seals and pistons removed for powder coating, I got the seals in easy after finding the easiest way- pinch the seal inward to make like a love heart, pinch the V of the heart together and thread through a washer-bear with me!- place the seal in the caliper and position the round edge of the seal in the groove and feed the V back through the washer slowly and Hey Presto- a doddle after the first tried and tested!
However getting the pistons back in is proving really hard, I tried the first one with the seal and piston lubricated with brake fluid and it tore the edge of the seal- ONE DOWN, second attempt was with the caliper on its side filled with brake fluid-another torn edge-TWO DOWN. Third attempt was with filled caliper on its side and using a brake pad spreader in reverse I turned it 1/4 every 10 minutes-giving the piston time to ease in-THREE DOWN. The fourth attempt I won't divulge- this is the world wide web and I will say no more than FOUR DOWN!
ANY TIPS? - I did a search but no results.
Tell you what though I love this car- I spent a day with my mates, improved the Shark, overcame the seized rear shock adjusters, seized brake line nuts, and had a laugh, I'm tired, filthy and discovered the the unmentioned newly installed X flow Jim put on his car- the git!
And a special thanks to Jim and Eric- I will feel guilty kicking your asses in Germany in September due to all the mods in the car but hey a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do
However as usual there was problems, removal of the front shocks was time consuming, we couldn't place the spring compressors in such a way that we could hit all 3 targets- even spring compression, positioning for removal of shock with the compressors attached AND access to the compressors with an air gun or ratchet, so we had to use a spanner and turn bit by bit
So the question is what is the best and easiest way?
Secondly my calipers had the seals and pistons removed for powder coating, I got the seals in easy after finding the easiest way- pinch the seal inward to make like a love heart, pinch the V of the heart together and thread through a washer-bear with me!- place the seal in the caliper and position the round edge of the seal in the groove and feed the V back through the washer slowly and Hey Presto- a doddle after the first tried and tested!
However getting the pistons back in is proving really hard, I tried the first one with the seal and piston lubricated with brake fluid and it tore the edge of the seal- ONE DOWN, second attempt was with the caliper on its side filled with brake fluid-another torn edge-TWO DOWN. Third attempt was with filled caliper on its side and using a brake pad spreader in reverse I turned it 1/4 every 10 minutes-giving the piston time to ease in-THREE DOWN. The fourth attempt I won't divulge- this is the world wide web and I will say no more than FOUR DOWN!
ANY TIPS? - I did a search but no results.
Tell you what though I love this car- I spent a day with my mates, improved the Shark, overcame the seized rear shock adjusters, seized brake line nuts, and had a laugh, I'm tired, filthy and discovered the the unmentioned newly installed X flow Jim put on his car- the git!
And a special thanks to Jim and Eric- I will feel guilty kicking your asses in Germany in September due to all the mods in the car but hey a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do
Last edited by Randy V; 03-07-2007 at 12:22 AM.
03-06-2007, 11:50 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
The fit is super-perfect for those pistons, you shouldn't need a pad spreader or anything, just perfect alignment and they'll go right in.
.... of course, I have the older (unavailable) style of piston in my '87 - not sure which one you've got. I hope you have the newer style because the seals are still available. I can't remember when they switched. I rebuilt/cleaned mine and ended up putting all the old seals back in because it is $200 per caliper to "upgrade"...
.... of course, I have the older (unavailable) style of piston in my '87 - not sure which one you've got. I hope you have the newer style because the seals are still available. I can't remember when they switched. I rebuilt/cleaned mine and ended up putting all the old seals back in because it is $200 per caliper to "upgrade"...
03-07-2007, 12:28 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
On the shocks, just unbolt the lower control arm from the frame. Unbolt the entires shock assembly with the spring still on it, then "unscrew" the shock assemble down through the upper control arm. The spring coil is too wide for the assembly to pull straight down through the A-arm, but there is room enough inbetween the windings of the coil spring for part of the upper A arm to fit through.
One the assembly is out, get the compressors on there with an air ratchet. Make sure you wear eye protection.
The easiest cure for replacing the '88S4 caliper seals is to replace the calipers with big reds.
One the assembly is out, get the compressors on there with an air ratchet. Make sure you wear eye protection.
The easiest cure for replacing the '88S4 caliper seals is to replace the calipers with big reds.
