Topic: Re build or replace TJ Brake Caliper (Read 4607 times)

Graham · « **on:** April 13, 2015, 09:45:36 AM »

Ok, replaced the pads on the TJ and it looks like the near side caliper piston is toast and won't retract/back off. So, it looks fairly simple but wanted some advice from those who have done it.

Caliper rebuild kit or replace caliper? The crown rebuild kits look quite reasonable on price.

Many thanks,

Graham.

wildwood · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:30:24 AM »

Crown kits have done it for me in the past.

Others might say stainless but I've never tried it......lsome even say replace complete calipers and kit.......

The Crown kits can be with you next day from Lighthouse and even with abuse will last a good few years

Green Jeep · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2015, 11:00:38 AM »

If you can get a caliper for a decent price then I would suggest going that route.... if not then repair kit is the way forward.... I have overhauled in the past and all been fine... last time I needed to I found calipers for el cheapo and it was crazy not to go that way....

Graham · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2015, 11:07:57 AM »

Waiting for a call back from lighthouse on prices for the rebuild to start with. Found some calipers with steel pistons on 4play jeep but they are £84 each. Crown calipers seem to be around £80 each.

thorna · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2015, 04:28:07 PM »

Rebuild didn't work for me at all! But maybe my calipers were shot from overheating.

Buy new; bolt on and forget.
there's a jeep dealer in the Texas on ebay.com who ships and is cheap.

Graham · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2015, 06:04:55 PM »

Sorted, thanks all. Between the comments on here and working out what time I have this week to actually do the job, I talked myself into the upgraded calipers from 4play.

Waiting for a parcel to turn up now with the bits.

UKJeeper · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2015, 06:13:33 PM »

Took the piston route myself, just waiting on the bits to show up...

Graham · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2015, 06:58:09 PM »

Must admit, was tempted to have a bash at the rebuild. The stock ones have lasted 15 years.

georgen · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2015, 08:10:37 PM »

I done both routes, rebuilt them and they worked fine, you have to make sure you remove all the rust from the beginning of the hole where the piston goes in that sits before the seal as the rust can go under seal lip and pull in, I then got a good deal on replacement callipers with steel pistons so bought them

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2015, 12:12:43 PM »

I rebuilt my front calipers when one started sticking. I used cheap Crown pistons and only changed the fluid seals as the dust ones seemed fine. They've been perfect for almost a year, and although fiddly, the job was easily doable by myself with fewer skills than an untrained monkey.

Graham · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2015, 04:02:09 PM »

New calipers arrived, not upto scratch and now supplier is kicking his supplier half way across the county as they've had to go back. Fair play, no arguments but leaves me with plan B.

Gone for two rebuild kits from Jeepey...

Will post findings.

Cockney Boy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2015, 06:44:34 AM »

You can pick refurb ones up for £60 from USAutomotive in Bedford

Graham · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2015, 02:16:41 PM »

Quote from: cockney boy on April 16, 2015, 06:44:34 AM

You can pick refurb ones up for £60 from USAutomotive in Bedford

That's worth knowing if all goes tits up.

Quick question, possibly a stoopid one, but I'm going to ask anyway...

Piston rebuild of the caliper on the bench, or the caliper in situ with brake hoses attached?

Thinking bench will be easier, cleaner, etc. are the copper washers for the brake lines a daft size or can just walk in to halfords and get the assorted box? I have annealed copper washers in the past and was toying with that.

wildwood · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2015, 02:53:52 PM »

Always bench.....clamp off line to minimise fluid loss.

Small amount of air to remove old piston ...with rag as cushion so it doesn't fly out and smash....

New one is critical to get square it will either be a pig or easy but don't force it as it will go in eventually......have used soft piece of wood and G clamps once it's started ......

It will cure the,problem for not much coin.

Graham · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2015, 02:01:37 PM »

Come on then....how do I get the new dust seal in?

Graham · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2015, 03:29:13 PM »

Muppet moment. Retaining ring was still in from previous dust seal!!

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2015, 05:28:02 PM »

moment then

Arno · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2015, 10:18:17 AM »

When I replace my front callipers, I contacted Mike from 4PlayJeep, they doing refurb callipers, but with a steel piston, which they say will not deform like the original plasticy thingy that came as standard..

Prices are not bad and they willing to refund you if you send your old callipers back, but I decided I'll rebuild them and keep as spares, but this is still on the 'to-do' list...

Brynjaminjones · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2015, 07:06:14 PM »

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but it doesn't seem worth a new one.
I'm going to get two new front calipers for the ZJ as I haven't got the time or place to rebuild them at the moment. Where is the cheapest place to get them, and how much am I looking at? Ideally I want a place where I can send my old ones back...

Dave69 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:44:29 AM »

april 2015 is not an old thread

your friend will be google or ebay, service exchange at time can be just hassle in getting them sent back. keep them and buy a service kit later for as spare set

delboy259 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2015, 10:47:41 AM »

Hi.
I got my calipers for the ZJ off Ebay.
The bolts were not included, but I used the ones I had.
Good price too & Delivery was quick.

Hope this helps.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371160203863?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Bubba · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:11:10 PM »

jinxing myself here but i have never had the problem i routinely spray copper spray in to the piston boot

Arno · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2015, 08:23:29 AM »

Try 4PlayJeep, they do it

Author Topic: Re build or replace TJ Brake Caliper (Read 4607 times)

Green Jeep

thorna

UKJeeper

georgen

Cockney Boy

Arno

delboy259

Arno