Rebuilt Calipers from Bigg Red

[mat_fenwick]

Not a BX specific question, but wondered if anybody had used this company to rebuild their brake calipers?

http://biggred.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I need to get a pair done and have a quote from them which seems fair, but there are some people out there not happy with what they're received. Although in the main, feedback is good and they've been good to deal with when supplying parts to me. I would rebuild these myself, but a couple of the pistons are completely siezed in flush with the caliper body, so nothing to get a grip on. It would be good to get feedback from somebody I know before sending them off!

[Stinkwheel]

Got an air compressor? Or a dent puller type hydraulic ram?

Either will usually push out flush caliper pistons with the right application of pressure and such like.

I wouldnt even contemplate having others rebuild my calipers. Seen too many pinched and trapped seals done by apparent professionals over the years !!

[Tim Leech]

My friend had the calipers done on his SD1 by big red, wasnt that impressed, if you can do it yourself I would.

[Way2go]

Got an air compressor?

An electric tyre pump will probably develop sufficient pressure for that if you make up the connections assuming the pistons are not totally seized in there. (maybe even a manual foot pump?)
Best to have the piston facing away from you into a cardboard box with newspaper damping as a "catcher" just in case the pressure builds up before it "pops"!

[Defender110]

Got an air compressor? Or a dent puller type hydraulic ram?

Either will usually push out flush caliper pistons with the right application of pressure and such like.

and if you point it in the right direction you might be able to fell a tree for firewood too!

[mat_fenwick]

They are well and truly seized in there - I packed the pad aperture with metal spacers and then put a 12" bar in there as a lever. Even with all my force it wouldn't budge. To be open and honest with them, I did point out this before getting the quote so they know what they are getting into (and may have priced accordingly!) I've also contacted Brakes International, who have one of the calipers (Austin Princess) actually in stock although without the spacer I need. Annoyingly it's the unseized side, and they are waiting for the pistons to come in stock for them to be able to rebuild mine.

I suppose I could buy pistons from Bigg Red and send to Brakes International to re-con, but I'd rather one company did the lot rather than having them blaming each other for any problems. I'd prefer to do it myself as aside from getting the piston out it's not a difficult job. I'm slightly swayed by the lure of having shiny new looking parts though, and I want to keep the momentum and enthusiasm up on the project rather than dealing with PITA jobs...

[citronut]

i have used Big Red but not for there re/con calipers,

they sourced front caliper overhaul seal kits for Chris Salters Visa ( Florance ),

were all other companies we tried saud they could get them, only to call back a couple of days later to say tjhey couldnt,

Big Red even called me back outside working hours, and they were very orompt

regards malcolm

[BX Bandit]

Only used their refurb kits mate with no problems. Why are they seized? If it's due to water ingress then you'll no doubt have some pitting in the bore perhaps rendering them useless. If you get them refurb end you may never know what state they are in internally.
Can you refit them and use the hydraulic pressure to push them out? Air won't do it and has dangers attached to the process anyway. You could rig up an lhm pump and hydraulically push them out....

[Stinkwheel]

Hydraulic pressure is what you need (as per mr bandit above)

see this type of pump on the e-bay auction...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLARKE-4-TON- ... 20c869c16c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Beg borrow or steal one from a mate or garage or whatever and make a fitting to go to caliper (bit of ingenuity is no trouble for a man of your calibre)

then just slowly pump out the pistons as you desire. Has worked for me for years and i even did some bike calipers that had sat outside for years and years with this method, no problem. Stripped them all down, blasted calipers, rebuild with new seals and pistons, jobbed

[Dollywobbler]

If hydraulic pressure is what you need, can you not just hook them up to a BX?!

[citronut]

If hydraulic pressure is what you need, can you not just hook them up to a BX?!

i have used this method on a dersh ( 2CV ) before now

regards malcolm

[prc86]

Had impreza calipers rebuilt by them a couple years back. Was happy with them. Weren't the cheapest but at the time got a good name on the subaru forums.

[Stinkwheel]

If hydraulic pressure is what you need, can you not just hook them up to a BX?!

You could indeed Ian, just with a hand pump its a bit more err ...controlled. Saves taking off heads, fingers etc when they come flying out

[mat_fenwick]

That is a bloody good idea with the hydraulic ram. But I'm ashamed to admit the appeal of just sending them away and getting them back (hopefully!) sorted, won out over doing it myself - I wanted to treat myself! They say they pressure test them afterwards which should catch any problems with seals not being fitted correctly.

Bandit, they appear to be seized through years of non use in a damp garage. I never filled the system with brake fluid after fitting them otherwise I could have pressed the brake pedal every now and again to keep them free. The sealing face is on the pistons though, which will be renewed so any pitting on the bore shouldn't be a concern.

I'll update this thread when they return, to say whether I got my money's worth...

[Thread Bear]

Bigg Red, brake bits....Hmmm! Sounds slightly worrying as to what happens to their less fortunate customers after a failure in action. Splat!

Never used such a service so interesting to hear about it. I have used grease to force open callipers. You get to reuse most of the fluid used, as it does not spray everywhere. Getting the second pot out tends to be more fun as it is the stickiest and the freed off side has to be prevented from moving. Its surprising what you can bend doing this. A little rust can be incredibly obstinate, as well. Once cleaned up, things can go again, and some suitable grease with servicing will keep things reasonably fresh, unless you really are in a damp place. Though some brakes do seem more prone to corrode up than others. Goggomobils are very bad, for instance.