To Split (calipers) or not to Split, that is the Question

[ivan.wood]

Not sure if anyone is still monitoring this thread but 2 years ago I rebuilt my rear callipers but had to split one to get the piston out. A brake company in the US said if I sent them the old seal they would be able to match it. Unfortunately having rebuilt the car I was trying to bleed the brakes today but they are leaking from the caliper faces wheee they join. Can anyone recommend a reliable source for the square section “O” rings?

Thanks

Ivan

[74Twincam]

RD Enterprises supplied me with the square profile seal. I just finished rebuilding all four corners, split them and was glad I did for the ability to clean them thoroughly. Not a bad project, good luck!

[Bombay Racing Green]

This YouTube channel is very helpful. Serge is rebuilding a very early Europa. https://youtu.be/UUJuW6Ho2LY
I seem to recall that there were two problems with splitting the calipers. Firstly is the neoprene seal. I remember Canley Classics in the UK used to sell them but I can’t find them now. Secondly was that there wasn’t any published torque figures for the bolts. Not massive problems though. Good luck!

[oldelanman]

Pegasus in the US list the cross feed seal and also give the dimensions which may help..

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produ ... RecID=1144

[ivan.wood]

Thanks for the replies. I managed to get may be1/4 of a turn on two of the bolts so I am hoping that has fixed the leak. Won’t know for sure until I refit the caliper and pressure test it.

Will let you know if it is successful.

Ivan

[StressCraxx]

I used the gaskets from RD. They worked perfectly. No leaks. Much easier to get everything clean too.

[alan.barker]

Thanks for the replies. I managed to get may be1/4 of a turn on two of the bolts so I am hoping that has fixed the leak. Won’t know for sure until I refit the caliper and pressure test it.

Will let you know if it is successful.

Ivan

With an "O" ring it's not how tight the Screws are that make it seal. The pressure in the system make it seal. It needs to compress a very small amount to seal when it's static. It must be flexible and not hard and sealing surfaces very clean.
Good luck
Alan

[ivan.wood]

I guess I screwed up as when I took the caliper apart yesterday I found part of the seal was trapped between the two faces!!!!!

I have ordered 2 new seals from Paul Matty in the UK so lets hope they arrives in the next week or so.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Ivan