anyone have a template for piston caliper alignment ?

[theiceman]

I did a quick search but could not find it I am sure someone made this and posted it somewhere but I just don't remember.

I am about to put the pistons back in my calipers and want to align the 20 degrees. I am sure I can rough it and get it right but I thought someone made a template once so you could cut one out .

Any links would be greatly appreciated

Thanks guys.

[911 Rod]

Did you check your Bentley? I made one out of plastic and I'm pretty sure I stole the image out of one of my manuals.

[theiceman]

is it to scale Rod ? I saw the pic, I was going to do exactly that , make one out of plastic

[diy83sc]

Take a look at the picture. You could do it without.... get the orientation correct and then align one edge of the raised "C" portion of the piston dead center between the two mounting holes of the caliper.

Brake piston orientation

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by theiceman

is it to scale Rod ? I saw the pic, I was going to do exactly that , make one out of plastic

Not sure about scale, but does it matter as long as the angle is correct?

I can scan mine tomorrow and send it to you if you are not in a hurry.

[juanbenae]

20* is 20* no matter the size. get a carpenter's speed square and you can declare 20*

[BK911]

Originally Posted by diy83sc

Take a look at the picture. You could do it without.... get the orientation correct and then align one edge of the raised "C" portion of the piston dead center between the two mounting holes of the caliper.

Brake piston orientation

Have done dozens of calipers this way.
Don't need no stinkin template!!

[theiceman]

this has been a great thread thanks guys ... i'm going to use the link diy83C sent and forget the template .

what could POSSIBLY go wrong !!!

Thanks Guys

[Jesse16]

I made 4 or 5 cut from of various scrap bits of slightly thick plastic out of my desk. Those little cards you used to get showing screw sizes, threads, cutting tools etc.. Now I have so many I can find one mostly without looking too hard, like the 5 stanley tape measures I have so I can find one when I need it.

[theiceman]

I ended up making an alignment tool with a completely useless piece of plastic I had lying around. 😉

[911 Rod]

Write left and right on it so you don't put one in wrong.
Don't ask me how I know.

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Write left and right on it so you don't put one in wrong.
Don't ask me how I know.

oh good tip Rod Thanks

for anyone else doing this it was quite easy job really. The two tricky parts were getting the pistons out and back in .

getting them out I put about a half inch thick piece of softwood lumber between the two pistons and hit the fluid line with my compressor..they both came out 80% of the way .. then I put a pencil between the two and one usualy pops before the other but at least the one that stayed in is 90% out.

On my first go I didn't use the wood and of course one came out completely and the other one didn't budge... lesson learned and I had to put the piston back in and use my wood method. .. PS don't do this anywhere near your car as brake fluid can fly pretty good.
Also do NOT get a finger in there if you are using the compressor or try to " catch it " . That piston will snap your finger like a twig.

I used metal polish to take the marks off the piston and it gleamed like brand new. Putting the pistons back is patience patience patience. even with the inner seals soaking in brake fluid before putting in and the piston liberally coated you have to be patient in working the piston past the lip of the inner seal .. you can feel the piston constantly pushing back .. but when it gives up you can just push the piston in with 2 thumbs.

after that you can do the rest while having your favorite brew, its like an other brake job, even my hard brake lines came off and went on without a hitch.

Rotors are straight forward , pull the hubs off, replace rotors and repack bearings.

I put some anti squeel on the back of the pads as I figured it wouldn't hurt.

My pads were about 15% used but I hadn't service them in over 11 years ( just a weekend driver). They were done before I bought the car. all I did was flush brake fluid every two.

In disassembly I found one of the boots caught between the pad and piston and torn , so goes to show you this is good practice even if your pad / rotors look good.

On to the rears .....