Tech Question for the Weekend Project

[Mark Howard]

Need some advice guys. I've got a '75 914 under resto and I am ready to bring it to the paint shop this weekend, but, after sitting so long, my front left brake caliper is stuck. The car will roll with difficulty (and engine stress). I looked a the tech articles, but nothing on rebuilding FRONT calipers, only rear. The brake pads were changed and rotors turned by the PO and are in good shape, just that front caliper is stuck. And ideas how to get it unstuck?

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Mark Howard
'88 Carrera
'62 356/B
'75 914 1.8 resto

[paulhagedorn]

Well, most likely it has some rust that is keeping it stuck or something in the brake line. One way to try would be to push on the brakes in the 914 and try to compress it further, and it might return to normal. Or you could unbolt the caliper and move it away from the rotor, and take vice grips along with a towel and compress each piston into the caliper.

Paul

[chibone_914]

At worst case scenario, you'll need to remove the caliper. Then you prise off the caliper seal and completely remove it.

Next is take two long flat bladed screwdrivers and place them on opposite sides of the caliper piston. (in the groove that the caliper boot went into) Then proceed to lever out the piston.

In some cases, a little penetrant sprayed on the piston helps. Placing the caliper in a bench vise helps tremendously.

Good Luck!
John C

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72'914

[Mark Howard]

Fixed it! Removed the caliper, relaxed the plungers with a vise, sprayed a little WD40 on the plungers, waited 15 minutes, remounted, bled, test drove, voila! Problem fixed in less than 45 minutes!

thanks guys!



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Mark Howard
'88 Carrera
'62 356/B
'75 914 1.8 resto