pbarber Posted Thursday at 09:03 PM Posted Thursday at 09:03 PM My next project on this bike is getting the brakes working. I think I have the brake lines figured out but unsticking the calipers is a head scratcher. These things are stubborn. I don't have an air compressor, but I'm thinking I may need one. I've seen videos of guys using a large allen key in combination with some ratchet fittings and I can move them using that method, but just barely. Does anyone have an easier way? Thanks in advance!! Quote
Toecutter Posted Thursday at 09:17 PM Posted Thursday at 09:17 PM Have you a grease gun? You can pump the pistons out safely this way. Bit messy but you'll be cleaning them out anyway before re-freshing. As they are single piston on the front they'll pop out nicely without any faff. Quote
pbarber Posted Friday at 02:56 PM Author Posted Friday at 02:56 PM 17 hours ago, Toecutter said: Have you a grease gun? You can pump the pistons out safely this way. Bit messy but you'll be cleaning them out anyway before re-freshing. As they are single piston on the front they'll pop out nicely without any faff. I don't have a grease gun, but it sounds like I may need to get one. I will definitely look into it. Thank you. Update on the brake lines. Out of 4 (3 front, 1 back), only 2 are clear, the 2 front bottom ones. The other 2 are totally clogged. So, I'm looking into getting some replacements. Once installed, would it make sense to try and bleed the lines and try to "pump out" the calipers this way? Or do I risk damage? Quote
TLRS Posted Friday at 03:20 PM Posted Friday at 03:20 PM Never tried the grease gun method, but if you get a new empty one maybe you can use something else then grease, something easier to clean? Quote
Builtwithpurehate Posted Sunday at 02:59 PM Posted Sunday at 02:59 PM How does the grease gun thread in ? Quote
Swiss Toni Posted Sunday at 03:17 PM Posted Sunday at 03:17 PM 17 minutes ago, Builtwithpurehate said: How does the grease gun thread in ? Carefully!!! Take the end nozzle off, thread the gun into the caliper carefully. It's a different thread, but it'll go in far enough for what you want to do. Quote
Toecutter Posted Sunday at 03:18 PM Posted Sunday at 03:18 PM You can use the bleed nipple to pump the grease in when backed off. Plug the banjo hole with a blanking plug the same size thread or make an adapter that fits to take the grease gun squirty end screw in. Quote
Builtwithpurehate Posted Sunday at 05:43 PM Posted Sunday at 05:43 PM 2 hours ago, Toecutter said: You can use the bleed nipple to pump the grease in when backed off. Plug the banjo hole with a blanking plug the same size thread or make an adapter that fits to take the grease gun squirty end screw in. This just worked perfectly On 11/15/2024 at 6:56 AM, pbarber said: I don't have a grease gun, but it sounds like I may need to get one. I will definitely look into it. Thank you. Update on the brake lines. Out of 4 (3 front, 1 back), only 2 are clear, the 2 front bottom ones. The other 2 are totally clogged. So, I'm looking into getting some replacements. Once installed, would it make sense to try and bleed the lines and try to "pump out" the calipers this way? Or do I risk damage? I can confirm a basic grease gun works and just pushed out a piston I've been working on for 2 days.... 2 Quote
Toecutter Posted Sunday at 07:30 PM Posted Sunday at 07:30 PM Niceone. I find they are the best way to remove super stubborn pistons. With potentially 8000psi pumped in, there's no way to hide... Quote
andyroach Posted Monday at 08:26 AM Posted Monday at 08:26 AM I've been riding and building bikes for over 40 years and have never heard of this trick! I've made pullers, used the brake system before draining it down and had to retrieve brake pistons from the next county after using compressed air to pop them out, but this looks far easier. These forums are truly a mine of useful information. Quote
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