is this a BAD idea (freeze water in caliper to POP piston)?

The Fish wrote:

... Never had any luck with an air compressor.

Heard about someone adapting and using high pressure hose from regulator on SCUBA tank, as full tank typically run at or slightly over 3000 psi. :ohmy:

Should be enough. :woohoo:

Word of caution. I now also use the compressor method to remove the piston--BUT last time I was doing so, I was holding the unit in a not sosmart way and had my finger between the inner pad suports. Neadless to say that when the piston started to move, I found out the painfull way. Thank god the piston was not frozen in the caliper and started to slide out slowly. Other wise I would have lost my finger in a pneumatic scisor.:ohmy: :ohmy: :S :S

Being from the cold state of Minnesota (-20 this morning) you DO NOT want to freeze your caliper. You would be surprised what ice will do to metal, even only for a short time. My advice is to follow the advice of hooking the caliper back up, and using the bikes natural way of hydraulics to free up the piston...just my 2.83 cents worth

Post edited by: rdgrnr, at: 2007/12/08 11:44

rdgrnr wrote:

Being from the cold state of Minnesota (-20 this morning) you DO NOT want to freeze your caliper. You would be surprised what ice will do to metal, even only for a short time. My advice is to follow the advice of hooking the caliper back up, and using the bikes natural way of hydraulics to free up the piston...just my 2.83 cents worth<br><br>Post edited by: rdgrnr, at: 2007/12/08 11:44

hey....

i did try all other options first and my logic was thus:

- if the methods did not work (see my other post)
- i would try the ice method (as there really was no other option anyway)

needless to say, at least in this singular instance, the ice method DID work...

after the first "freeze" step, the piston moved by ~1 mm (and moved out about that much or more each time).

Sure, freezing can degrade the integ. of the caliper, however, i got this bike as a complete unknow to start with (i.e., it was outside for a few years previous)...

anyway...

i hope not to have to resort to such unconventional methods in teh future (i'll also get me an air compressor!)...

- prime

I'm sure the freeze method would work but I would just go ahead and install a plug in place of the banjo bolt and use a grease gun on the bleeder. I'm shocked that this wasn't mentioned already...

:laugh: :lol: :silly: :woohoo: :whistle:

Glad to hear the ice method worked. If it can crack and engine block it can surely move a sticky piston.

wow...

a grease gun or an ari compressor? why didn't someone else mention that...

:lol:

In a word yes it is a BAD idea.the caliper is aluminum if you fill it with water and freeze it it will bust like a balloon.

Take the calipers up to a local mechanic shop and just ask one of the mechanics if they will pop the piston out with their air compressors. Unless they are jerks, or you are a jerk, they should help you out.

how about air over hydraulic????:whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: i know ,i know!back to your corner plummen!

Post edited by: PLUMMEN, at: 2008/02/28 08:13

The M3A1 "Grease Gun" was a further development of the base M3 submachine gun. Entering service in 1944, the M3A1 looked to simplify the weapon's production process and practices in order to streamline the result and ship the weapon out in quantity.

A small thermite charge may also be helpful in removing a slightly snug piston:blink: Photo's available upon request :blink: :whistle:

It sound like it may work.
ive read, and seen succesfull pics, about guys freezing water in there headers to pop dents.i tried the header thing myself just yesterday but it didnt work for me.
u should be fine. kinda like a frost plug in an engine. the weekest link gives way.just keep your fingers crossed. i would try it .
Good luck.

I would replace the bleeder with a grease fitting, plug off the inlet, and pump away. That is unless that's already been mentioned...or unless you've already tried the ice thing and it already worked (he said with a sarcastic tone) :whistle: