Latest acquisition....original owner 1983 VF750F - Euro version

Hook the caliper back up to a working master. You can dick around trying everything else and you would have had it out already. Push the other one back in a bit if you think it's close to popping out and shim accordingly.

Pump the brake fluid needed to get back up to working pressure into a clean container to re-use if you want.

That tool is cute. The only pistons that thing could extract is pistons that already wanted to come out.

 

Yeah I already had it on the bike using the master cylinder and it wasn't coming out. Had the other piston in place too. Thought if I could remove it entirely and work on a bench I could get it out but not happening so far.

Maybe more air pressure. Will take it to my mechanic's tomorrow. I'm sure he has a "suitable" compressor...lol...

 

If hydraulics wasn't budging it, good luck with air pressure. But who knows. Shim it properly, it will bust the caliper or something else when (if) it comes shooting outa there at hyper sonic speed.

Hook it up to a rear master. Short hose going to one thing works better.

If you have more brake work in your future on bikes in similar condition, you need to make "the special tool".

 

I use a grease gun … always works for me. The clean up is a little bit of a pain but it solved the problem.


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Funny you should post this because I was thinking the same exact thing. Folks who do this work routinely probably have similar jigs set up. I know I would. And probably will!

And yes.....I've been very careful to try and moderate the speed at which the piston(s) will release. So far I've used wooden paint stir sticks, vinyl covered pliers handles, and just plain old rags!

 

So many times in a rush to disassemble a bike I've forgotten to pump them almost all the way out first. "Goddamit!" Or maybe the brake system is inoperable. Fucking with air, usually the only thing I've accomplished is filling the space with atomized brake fluid. Great.

Now I just walk over and get to it. I just keep refilling the master with the stuff I pump thru, replacing it every now and then. Mine happens to a be a later Shadow 1100 front master, designed to work with one caliper, mated to a short, newer hose off of a CBR600 rear. I keep it "bled" and install a banjo with a cap nut to keep it sealed. So fast and easy.

Oh, and mounted to Aerospace certed 1" titanium tubing for minimum un-sprung weight and optimum action.

 

"atomized brake fluid"....lol......

I had to refill the MC twice while doing mine.

I learned to keep the brake hose attached back when I was working on the slave on my RC36 and the dang piston wasn't coming out. Then I read you should keep it attached. Duh! The other advantage is knowing if it works or not - or if your problem is only the MC....BEFORE doing anything else.

Well even after the ultrasonic cleaning and 60 lbs. of air pressure, she's not budging. Will go to Plan B tomorrow.

Seems like they should make a pair of vice grips with rubberized "grips" for stuff like this.....or a pipe wrench probably be better.....

 

There are REAL piston extractors, but "The Special Tool" has never let me down. If a caliper is that bad, there likely won't be anything to save anyway. Into the bin it goes.

Problem with a pipe wrench is that you have to grip on the outer surface, the one that goes into the seals. And rubber tipped vise grips simply won't have the holding power to budge anything really problematic.

Most of these type tools aren't made for brakes that have been at the bottom of The Black Lagoon for 20 years. They are made for servicing "normal" brake systems. We aren't normal, now are we?

 

Gotta get the right spelling......nOrMaL.....

I think I may have a second hand caliper in my boxes --- and if so --- may be able to use that piston.

 

Got everything cleaned with a tooth brush after that ultrasonic cleaning. Should have removed the seals, but not the end of the world. The old seals actually look pretty good!

I keep thinking about that stuck piston.....

1. what is making it stuck? Metal on metal binding? Rubber on metal binding? Combo of both?

2. what do I squirt on it to soak in overnight to assist in the freeing up process? Penetrate like Kroil?

3. would something work like applying cold to the piston and heat to the housing to assist in the removal?

4. can I wrap the exposed part of the piston with Gorilla tape...then use channel locks or vice grips to work it loose?

In any event....I can tell when the time comes to reassemble, it's going to be enjoyable seeing everything work as it should. These parts are so clean it's ridiculous!

 

This makes the most sense and is what I will try tomorrow. The hydraulic pressure will be more than any air compressor - so it this doesn't do it why waste time with air?

 

This is how I do mine … simple and always has worked for me …


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Not sure if my grease gun can screw into the caliper like that.......but we'll see what happens......thanks!

 

Mine goes in about a quarter inch before it stops … I snug it up … I know different thread type/pitch etc but I have never had an issue in more than 20 years. I’ve done dozens of stuck pistons and all have come out. The issue is getting the caliper free of grease afterwards but that’s easy compared to trying to get the damned piston out.

Any way it works for me so …


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Now you are thinking straight. Both are hydraulic and both work very good.

You are already set up for one, maybe both. Lube up the seals on the one you're gonna pop back in. You can push it back in quite far to make the initial "bleed" easier. Then when you get movement on the stuck one start letting them both come out, just make sure to let the "stuck" one release fluid first. You know you can get the other out with your bitchin' tool.

 

There is probably a bunch of white powdered brake fluid behind the seal squeezing the piston. Gotta get that groove Clean before you put in new seals

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Fixed it for ya...

 

Cleaning up all the grease - yeah that would be a messy job!

Good advice......thanks!

Both correct. I saw that white crap when I pulled out the seals on the other caliper...yuck! So I know I have that to deal with.


I have had a sore tooth for the past few days and have an appointment with my dentist tomorrow at 1pm. Hopefully they can figure out the problem and help with it. Left side all the way back. Can't even tell what tooth (teeth) it is. Last checkup 5 months ago they said everything was fine, so who knows. An xray will probably show what's causing this discomfort.

Appreciate everyone's help and support more than you know! Will keep you posted...

 

My $.02. I've had some pretty crappy calipers on bikes I've bought and the pistons all came out with some ease and PSI. I'd soak that O-ring in PB Blaster and get something that acts like a small oil filter rubber strap on it and get it to move/rotate. Once it moves, it should come right out.