MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: TheTigerUK on December 7, 2021, 19:06

Title: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 7, 2021, 19:06
Title sounds rather grand because basically I have not started yet, today I received the full set (front and back) of used calipers from Andy at J-Spec.

The theory is I am going to fully restore these and possible paint them red, hopefully for fitting next year in the spring.

One of the reasons I wanted my 2 (Jet) was for little interesting projects and to keep the mind active but not over active :)

I was toying with buying a cheap DIY sand blaster but that might be over kill but it could also come in handy after the brake overhaul so not decided yet.

I will bore you with other photo's and queries as I go along.





Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 7, 2021, 19:06
(https://i.imgur.com/rwSr1hI.jpg)
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: shnazzle on December 7, 2021, 20:28
Quote from: TheTigerUK on December  7, 2021, 19:06(https://i.imgur.com/rwSr1hI.jpg)
Andy does do some nifty packaging. I ended up with a sachet of fancy hand cream last time :)


What was your joke? Or was none provided?
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: 105e on December 8, 2021, 06:54
When doing my front calipers / carriers (rear still to do) i used various wire brush,s in an electric drill combined with a soaking in deox c,  came up 100 % shiny metal, like new. Didnt want to buy a blasting tool.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 8, 2021, 08:09

What was your joke? Or was none provided?
[/quote]

It was the one about the Christmas tree but I forget what it was :)
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: Joesson on December 8, 2021, 10:00
On the subject of cleaning callipers and @TheTigerUK and @105e suggestions of sand blasting and deox c and wire brushing I "thought" firstly of our jet washer, we have an old Belfast sink over a drain, in the garden so that would contain some overspray. I thought also of our Karcher steam cleaner that could be used in a similar way. My final thought, and if I employed it, and got caught in the act by MrsJ, it would be my final act, was the dish washer. Dish washer tablets are perhaps too caustic for the alloy of the caliper. Maybe a wash sans tablet would do the job for those braver than I.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 8, 2021, 10:04
Quote from: Joesson on December  8, 2021, 10:00On the subject of cleaning callipers and @TheTigerUK and @105e suggestions of sand blasting and deox c and wire brushing I "thought" firstly of our jet washer, we have an old Belfast sink over a drain, in the garden so that would contain some overspray. I thought also of our Karcher steam cleaner that could be used in a similar way. My final thought, and if I employed it, and got caught in the act by MrsJ, it would be my final act, was the dish washer. Dish washer tablets are perhaps too caustic for the alloy of the caliper. Maybe a wash sans tablet would do the job for those braver than I.

I think if I was to do that I would end up with a very high pitched voice after my wife had finished with me :)

I have a compressor already so this is the one I have toyed with.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352807750582?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 8, 2021, 18:27
Struts arrived but no nut on mine :)

(https://i.imgur.com/XUxX6kH.jpg)
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: Joesson on December 8, 2021, 18:32
My nuts were loose! One in each box in a small plastic wrap together with a sheet of pictogram fitting instructions, which if I had not previously removed and refitted the shocks and springs would give me some head scratching to do.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 8, 2021, 19:01
Quote from: Joesson on December  8, 2021, 18:32My nuts were loose! One in each box in a small plastic wrap together with a sheet of pictogram fitting instructions, which if I had not previously removed and refitted the shocks and springs would give me some head scratching to do.

Well spotted Tony I just checked the box again and there it was.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: Ardent on December 8, 2021, 23:42
Mine was the same.

Nyloc nut remote to shock.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 19, 2021, 19:00
Now that I have all the suspension components I have started stripping the brake calipers I bought from J.Spec, both fronts stripped and soaking in gunk for now, having given them a good clean with the gunk I am pretty surprised how well they have cleaned up and thats after just one clean.

I wouldent have fancied trying to strip the calipers totally to refurbish while still on the car.
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 21, 2021, 19:50
When rebuilding the rear calipers do you screw the piston tight on the thread in the bore ? thanks.

(https://i.imgur.com/6Whm35Y.jpg)
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: Carolyn on December 22, 2021, 09:39
Quote from: TheTigerUK on December 21, 2021, 19:50When rebuilding the rear calipers do you screw the piston tight on the thread in the bore ? thanks.

(https://i.imgur.com/6Whm35Y.jpg)

All the way in and then out 1/2 turn, making sure the grooves in the piston face are perfectly North/South (essential for handbrake operation).
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on December 22, 2021, 10:37
Quote from: Carolyn on December 22, 2021, 09:39
Quote from: TheTigerUK on December 21, 2021, 19:50When rebuilding the rear calipers do you screw the piston tight on the thread in the bore ? thanks.

(https://i.imgur.com/6Whm35Y.jpg)

All the way in and then out 1/2 turn, making sure the grooves in the piston face are perfectly North/South (essential for handbrake operation).

Thanks Carolyn :)
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 4, 2022, 17:27
I am now looking at getting quotes to build up my suspension now and fit, what would you consider a fair price for the total job ?
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: Carolyn on January 4, 2022, 18:24
Quote from: TheTigerUK on January  4, 2022, 17:27I am now looking at getting quotes to build up my suspension now and fit, what would you consider a fair price for the total job ?

£300 max
Title: Re: Project caliper restoration & Suspension.
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 5, 2022, 16:38
Quote from: Carolyn on January  4, 2022, 18:24
Quote from: TheTigerUK on January  4, 2022, 17:27I am now looking at getting quotes to build up my suspension now and fit, what would you consider a fair price for the total job ?

£300 max

Thanks, a self employed mechanic I know has quoted me £150 to build them up and fit so if I accept his quote but up it to £200 thats a more than fair price for me then, again thanks Carolyn.