rear brake calipers series 1

[JOHN KERR]

I have rebuilt the rear calipers with new seals but I am having difficulty setting up the handbrake machanism.When putting everything back as it came apart,I now find that the piston dosn't go back far enough to fit the new pads.I am using the correct rear pads,which are thinner than the fronts and have a small dowel that sits in the groove in the piston.The only way I can get the piston back is to remove one of the cup washers that make up the return spring for the handbrake mechanism.The other puzzle is,how does the piston move out under fluid pressure? Does it actually turn as its applyed therefore taken up any play.

I'm sure someone has rebuilt a rear caliper and can offer advice and if so I thank you in advance.

John Kerr

[Will]

I have rebuilt the rear calipers with new seals but I am having difficulty setting up the handbrake machanism.When putting everything back as it came apart,I now find that the piston dosn't go back far enough to fit the new pads.I am using the correct rear pads,which are thinner than the fronts and have a small dowel that sits in the groove in the piston.The only way I can get the piston back is to remove one of the cup washers that make up the return spring for the handbrake mechanism.The other puzzle is,how does the piston move out under fluid pressure? Does it actually turn as its applyed therefore taken up any play.

I'm sure someone has rebuilt a rear caliper and can offer advice and if so I thank you in advance.

John Kerr

I haven't done one in a long time but IIRC you have to "screw" the piston back in- you can push on it all day and get nowhere. I hope I am thinking of the right car now or that statement will seem pretty foolish, but I think it's the Monte/Scorpion.

[davidb]

Ditto the IIRC: I think they do screw, CW or CCW dunno. I
think the pistons are slotted to accept a turning key. I think.
Been awhile. Sometimes w/new rotors & new pads the fit is
so damn tight you think something's amiss, i.e. wrong parts.
The piston face has to be FULLY recessed in the caliper body.

[JOHN KERR]

Many thanks for the swift reply.As sods law has it ,went into the garage and the things went straight in.The problem I had was inserting the operating lever for the handbrake mechanism.I couldn't get the rod down far enough to slide the lever in.I'll see what happens after the brakes are bled,if they work or not.

Many thanks again. John

[Ed P]

Don't forget that in addition to the large groove to "screw" the piston in with, there is also a thinner "line" on one half of the piston's face. This "half" has to be on the top for the caliper to bleed correctly. There is a fluid passage within the piston and this must be aligned correctly.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, please click below to see:

http://www.esportscarparts.com/LanciaPartsSale/piston.htm

Best Wishes,

Ed

[JOHN KERR]

Thanks for that ED.Not sure many people know about that,but very usefull to know when you are having trouble bleeding the brakes.

Regards John

[davidb]

Now that little bit of tech advise is really something. Didn't
know of it nor would any general mechanic. Thanks Ed.
Does however give me pause to ponder how many other little
tech tricks I'm ignorant of to get my '82 LBZ & Scorp running.
RUNNING PROPERLY!

[Ed P]

Yeah... since I've owned 35 or so of these I guess I did pick up a trick or two along the way :)

Ed