Rear brake caliper dust boot install

[wolfyboy]

I got a FTE rebuild kit for my 86 Carrera for the rear calipers. The dust boot has the barbed metal ring on the inside of the rubber boot to attach to the caliper metal . They do not pop down over the ring. I tried prying clamping etc. Is there a trick to get these on? Is there an alternate source with a different attachment like the fronts that the metal ring snaps on over the rubber? In the meantime they are partially on and the calipers are installed but they are not doing there job of protecting the piston and bore of the caliper from getting moisture in and forcing another rebuild when they start to rust.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Mex]

I just went through this on my car. Use needle nose plyers to crush down every third tab, that'll give you enough clearance to snap the ring down over the lip.

[DRACO A5OG]

Well, when you are tired of it popping out try the proper seal.

More importantly, check the pistons for pitting, pitting will not allow a proper seal.

3.2 Rear 42MM Caliper Pistons, Product Review

[Mex]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Well, when you are tired of it popping out try the proper seal.

More importantly, check the pistons for pitting, pitting will not allow a proper seal.

3.2 Rear 42MM Caliper Pistons, Product Review

Wow, I wish I'd come across those three months ago. I too am a huge fan of the ATE kit

[wolfyboy]

Draco A5og, do you have any pictures of the installed seal with the retaining ring?

[DRACO A5OG]

I am out of town right now, but when I get back I will post it for you fellas.

It will be just the pistons and the kit out of the caliper. I have this on schedule for repairs, as my rear pistons are pitted. :-(

[DRACO A5OG]

Here you go:

a Proper Rear Caliper Boot Retainer ala Bigg Reds, LTD. UK:



Product Review:
3.2 Rear 42MM Caliper Pistons, Product Review

[trond]

those are the ones I got too, from bigg red on your advice I believe. Very happy with the service provided. Absolutely hate the FTE type with integral steel ring. Half of them destroyed on assembly. The other half I want to destroy

[DRACO A5OG]

^^^ LOL, I resorted to gluing them down, I was not very happy about that, clean up was always horrible.

I mean, how hard is it to drop in a outer ring, probably much cheaper than that POS barbed ring, geez.

[trond]

hope someone chime in with advice on how to assemble that other type. On the other hand I see no reason to not just buy from bigg red again

[gtc]

914 front calipers use a 42mm piston. I've heard their boots will fit the 3.2 rear caliper. Haven't actually tried it, yet, though.

[SoCalJack]

If the front caliper is like the back this is what I did. I cut a small piece of wood and carefully used a c clamp to clamp down one side of the retaining ring around the boot. Once the retaining ring is clamped down on once side you can then push down the other side. This thread helped me: Caliper dust boots - need help

[Jesse16]

So I ordered this from an on-line parts store I get my Japanese brake parts from.

The dust boots in this kit attach using the outside ring just like the Big Red ones pictured above and just like the regular front boots on my 87 Carrera. They seem fine, I did not photograph.
My FTE seals just installed on close inspection that I pressed on with my PVC pipe tool had been cut by the pressure of the tool. That finally broke the camels back and made me order these. I didn't change the piston seals inside, have read others says the Centric piston seal isn't optimal. I may place an order for the big red kit from their e-bay store for my parts shelf to try next. Our host should help us out and dump the FTE version.

[DRACO A5OG]

LOL, 6 countries but only 3 sets of parts bagged in the USA. WTD. Yeah, the Centric inner piston seal is too tall. I almost opted for those until I found Bigg Reds

[Jesse16]

Huh, looks the same height wise as the FTE to me, and maybe the Big Red but my pistons are a bit more extended. When this seal and the FTE are side by side, the only visible difference is that this one has an outward lip at the bottom for the ring. The inner which fits the piston is identical. I'm happy with the experiment, I'll keep something on the shelf which isn't the FTE going forward.
I think if you play some with the inner part, you could roll it inward and pull the seal lower. Just takes some patience in a tight place. I installed with the caliper off but its still a snug place to work.

[DRACO A5OG]

Congrats! Good to have an alternative.

[Jesse16]

I was gonna do the Big Red kit first myself but their e-mail response got caught in my spam filter for a few days so went ahead and ordered Centric. Cannot order directly from Big Red's site, have to use EBay. I have not read any feedback on the big red piston seals on the "knock back" issue that can happen if they aren't "just right". I have to say, the Centric Piston seals look and feel identical to the FTE's so I may be tempted to try them next time, I just didn't replace them this time as all was working fine. Other threads say they pull the piston back too much causing too much brake pedal travel, an issue I've had so am sensitive. That is all for this thread.

[uwanna]

just bought the Centric kits 143.35003 from Rock Auto $4.89 each , but just wanted the dust boots.
Will use other piston seals. Thanks for the info Jesse16 !!