Splitting Calipers

I'm rebuilding my spridget calipers. Why are you not supposed to split them?

Something about the O-rings being special?

why do you need to split them?

gooser Wrote:

I may be an idiot, but I split mine. O rings, which are actually round, but square in cross section, readily available from The Roadster Factory. I think there is concern about leakage and the bolts coming loose. The origianal bolts are in with red locktite which is serious stuff. I'm sure the factory would recommend the use of new bolts, although they are not torqued down to excessive values, considering their diameter.

I found it much easier to replace the seals and dust ring with them split. If you do split them, get the pistons out first, as there is no way to use air pressure to remove them after the split.

I split my B calipers. Mostly its an irrational fear thing. You can buy new proper grade 8 bolts at the local store. The fear is that the bolts are designed to be stretched once and only once. With the torture rod bolts get in your engine, I don't think caliper bolts are as critical. AFter all - look at all the calipers cardone rebuilds and I KNOW they don't replace bolts!!!

I split mine also without any resulting problems (touch wood). That was two years ago.

I split my Porsche calipers and put in new rings. Works fine..........

B-racer Wrote:

MNine have taken on a brown rusty image....How do you clean them up well before painting? Are you going to POR-15 them?

Thx

AzMarc Wrote:

I painted my Porsches calpiers red, then changed the bolts out to black allen bolts. It was very cool looking!

I got my pistons out after they were split by holding air nozzle in fitting hole in one half and against the passage hole in the other. Be careful the piston comes out like a rocket using air.

I believe at one time the orings were not available as a spare part, causing the fear of splitting calipers

The bolts have a length with no threads (if I recall) - as long as you match that pretty close, you'll be fine, then cut off the remainder with a cut-of wheel. Grade 8 bolts off-the-shelf are probably MUCH stronger than you'll ever need.

I've split my calipers many times and never replaced the original bolts, and never had problems. When my race car was in a fit state, I used to strip the calipers once a year and replace the seals etc ( the seals go hard and perish / split with the heat ). I'd just reuse the original bolts.

John - the only reason I've heard is that there are no established torque settings from the manufacturer. I would say use your own judgement.
And please send YOUR torque settings to my attorney...
;{)

Jim K Wrote: