Breaking Brakes

[tarzan]

I use air with an air nozzle.You will want to put a small piece of wood between the piston and caliper to keep the piston from flying out. Once you get it that far, remove the wood and carefully use a little air to get it the rest of the way out.

[GRom4232]

I got impatient, took the vice grips to the calliper. Cleaned the thing, and lubed the splines. Reassembled everything and took a ride. Things work. Thank you for the help, gentlemen.

[DeanR]

I got impatient, took the vice grips to the calliper. Cleaned the thing, and lubed the splines. Reassembled everything and took a ride. Things work. Thank you for the help, gentlemen.

Hope you didn't ding up the piston AT ALL, and, that you put NEW seals in, or it still won't be working properly.

[tarzan]

Hope you didn't ding up the piston AT ALL, and, that you put NEW seals in, or it still won't be working properly.

If you bugger up the lip where the boot goes on, it won.t hurt anything.Just clean up the burrs.
Also, I have resurrected several XS's and have been able to clean up the o-ring seal and the caliper with no ill effects at all.

[crazy steve]

some pump grease thru the bleeder with a bolt in
the fluid inlet with the caliper off, ive never done it that way
too messy for me...

Yep, that method is messy, but it's the only sure-fire method to get the piston out without risking damage; to the parts or you....

A tip to reduce the mess; before installing the bolt into the inlet, fill the caliper with brake fluid. This will 'coat' the inside of the caliper and most of the grease will fall out once the piston comes out.