Need source for '84 front left caliper

[amehl]

I've searched everywhere. I want to buy a re-man caliper. I have ordered from 2 different suppliers, just to have my order cancelled as they have been discontinued. They regularly go for under $100. Mine is seized and I MUCH prefer to just bolt one on than dealing with the rebuild. Any leads?

[theer]

I recently had the exact same experience. There wasn't a single "new" one for sale. I ended up de-seizing mine, not a total rebuild, just took apart the floating piece cleaned the rust and lubed the contact points. Not too difficult as long as you can get the pins holding the pads to come out.

[amehl]

Originally Posted by theer

I recently had the exact same experience. There wasn't a single "new" one for sale. I ended up de-seizing mine, not a total rebuild, just took apart the floating piece cleaned the rust and lubed the contact points. Not too difficult as long as you can get the pins holding the pads to come out.

How did you un-seize it? just soak it in PB blaster or something? I would prefer to just un-bolt the old one and bolt on a freshy . Too bad they are discontinued!

[theer]

That was exactly my thought - I saw "new" calipers for $50 o $60 and thought for that price a rebuild isn't worth it. When I bought it, my car had sat for years, covered, but in an open garage. One was seized the others were just stiff. The pistons were fine, so it was just the calipers floating frame, which wasn't floating anymore.

Some of the pas retaining pins came out (including the one made out of a huge nail!), others fought back hard - those I grabbed with a vice grip and twisted until they broke, so I could take the pads out and remove the caliper. Heat, PB Blaster (and soaking for days in ATF), plus a drift got the buggers out. Be careful applying too much heat too close to the piston.

The floating frame caliper is two pieces (well, three really, if you count the piston), which slide past each other as the pads wear down. A few strikes with a hammer got the two pieces moving and then to come apart. I filed the contact points on the caliper frame pieces, as well as the flat surfaces where the pads sit, then applied hi-temp brake lube to all the sliding surfaces.

The hardest part of reassembly is getting the two pieces lined up working against the pressure of the spring around the piston housing. It's not difficult, just takes a bit of patience.

I had spare pad retaining pins, but they are available new, as are rebuild kits of the caliper piston.

[theer]

PS: I may have a spare LF caliper for you.