Girling brakes

[jim]

Hi, I'm struggling to remove the pistons from some 16p girlings - any ideas?

They're some Ebay specials and looking at them the pistons look new but I can't get them out!

[duggers]

If you have access to compressed air put a wooden stopper (thin enough to stop the pistons flying away!) between the pistons , put air line in the hose feed and try blowing them out.

[ChrisT]

Compressed air blow gun to the brake fluid inlet and block of wood between the pistons so they don't pop all the way out.

Can be done with the right attachments to a foot pump if you've not got compressed air.

[Good Scrap]

Or a spare brake hose and a master cylinder to generate hydraulic pressure, much higher pressure and a lot safer than pistons flying on compressed air.

[colnerov]

Or use a grease gun.

[gtviva]

Another vote for the grease gun, nice and controllable but a bit messy clearing up after

[jim]

It took some work but I got them out, fortunately the compressor could do it!

[comfortablynumb]

I was going to say +1 for the grease gun, but I’m late to the party as usual
However I’ve made up an adapter with a grease nipple one end, and a pipe fitting the other, works great on cortina masters and slaves too, particularly clutches
Well done for getting them out, they can be a pig!

[ChasR]

Cleaning grease out after a grease gun however can be a pain .

Compressed air tends to work IME or using the car itself ; this is easiest done with a second person however.

[accord83]

I adapted an inlet fitting that then fit my foot pump, I have used it on numerous occasions to move stuck pistons. Only I cannot find it since I moved into my new garage! Time to sort out another this year.

[jim]

I did it! I editing the whole process if anyone is interested in how to do it

[comfortablynumb]

Ooohh! Shiney!
Nice job there

[nomad]

Jan 8, 2020 19:23:27 GMT jim said:

I did it! I editing the whole process if anyone is interested in how to do it

Yes please !  

[jim]

Fitting the seals without getting my hands in the way was tricky!

Any questions just ask!

[nomad]

Nice writeup   

Link to some more threads with girling info retrorides.proboards.com/thread/153747/hillman-brake-upgrades-girling-calipers 

[comfortablynumb]

Might be talking out of my backside, but is rubber grease compatable with brake fluid?
When I’ve built callipers I’ve always used new brake fluid as lubricant

[jim]

Good question, the seal kit comes with it and the stuff I had been reading suggests it.

I would have used brake fluid but I haven't done the brake lines yet so insure how long they'll be sat - nothing extreme but could be a month or 2

[ChasR]

Red rubber grease is compatable.

It's also way easier to install the seals over using brake fluid IME.

[jim]

good to know Chas as I did find it tricky

[comfortablynumb]

Not sure it actually makes any difference, but I fitted the seals, and then the pistons, before fitting the dust covers
Didn’t find it that easy either, but the dust covers were secured by snaprings