brake caliper putting back together problem

[goldwing55706]

Good afternoon,
I took the brake calipers on the 1980 KZ750LTD apart today to clean the pistons and bores. When putting them back together, what is the easiest way to get the piston back into the bore? I put a new sealing ring in the bore and a new dust seal on the caliper but couldn't get the piston back in by pushing on it. Ended up tearing the dust seal. Is it proper to put the new sealing ring inside the bore, then put the new outer dust seal on and then force the piston back in? Or, can the outer dust seal be put on after the piston is in?
Thank you,
Happy New Year to all,
Jon

[Stormdragon]

It's been a while since I did mine, but as I recall I lubed the piston seal with brake fluid and pressed it in, and then put the dust seal on with a small screwdriver and a little lithium grease. Hold the dust seal with a finger, and slide the screwdriver around the dust seal so it locks into the little lip. Kind of a pain, but not too bad.

[goldwing55706]

Thanks for the reply. I was at my buddy's house when I tried putting the calipers back together and had a tough time. Once I got home I pulled out my "Clymers" manual and it said that rebuilding calipers shouldn't be attempted at home
So, I dug out my Honda Manual and just as you said, the dust seal goes on after the piston is in.
Thanks again,
Jon

[Timalew]

C clamps work very well to press in stubborn pistons, if thats what you're askin'

[KNEEDEEP KZ650]

Make Sure You Lube The Piston With Some Brake Fluid,not To Much Though Because Then It Will Look Like Its Leaking Again.use A C-clamp To Easily Push The Piston Back In.then Put The Dust Seal On.

[jeepurz]

im purty liberal with brake fluid, just did two last week. you may also stick piston in freezer overnight. sometimes they just go in hard. On kaw im not sure on dust seal but on mine its last to go on .

[ceamerson]

Is there a trick to taking off the caliper? I have 78KZ750 and I cant get the rear one off!


my manual hasn't come in the mail yet....

[Stormdragon]

It's easiest if it's still mounted on the rear wheel. If the two bolts are tight, put a 6 or 12 point wrench on it, keep it tensioned on the bolt with a finger, and give the other end of the wrench a whack with a plastic or rubber mallet. That usually breaks them loose. If it doesn't loosen in one or two whacks, find a manual impact driver at a local tool place, and try that. Add a little Liquid Wrench to the bolt threads if you can get at them before you go looking for the impact driver.

[ceamerson]

The bolt came off fine, but it looks like the piston is extended and will not retract. I took off all the brake lines so it shouldn't have any pressure. Is there a way to force it to retract?

[jeepurz]

C clamp.

[ceamerson]

It is still on the bike.

[Stormdragon]

Are you saying that the brakes are locked up and you can't get the caliper off because of that?

[ceamerson]

yes

[elr658]

Sit on ground on the same side of the bike as the caliper. Take your foot and PUSH the caliper in toward the center of bike.

[Stormdragon]

Or get a plastic mallet and start tap, tap, tapping the caliper up away from the disk. If there's a gap at the top of the caliper, you may be able to get a really big screwdriver in there and pry the pads away from the disk. Be careful not to chew up the disk itself though.