cleaning inside of caliper (piston recess)

Hi All...

I got the piston out of a caliper and there is some dried residue in there (inside the tracks for the seals - i took them out and will replace them). I'll be trying various methods (brake cleaner, etc..), but is there anything else i could use that will really do the trick (some of this stuff is really caked on).

Also, i assume that the cleaner these tracks are, the "better the seal" the seal will make...?

thanks...

- prime

I would go in there with a pick. I picked up four different ones at HomeDepot, made by Stanley, for less than 10 bucks.

thanks...

i've been using a bent paper clip (and one of those larger butterfly clips), but their ends are not very sharp...

been using a tooth brush and some brake cleaner as well...

the next few days are kind's booked for me, so i may try and soak it in something...

just not sure what...

HEY... i wonder if letting it all sit in some brake fluid might help (as they say "like dissolves like")?

That would be ok too. In my caliper I found that the junk was hard, almost crystallized. That's when I needed the picks with a bent, pointy end. The handle on the pick allows you to dig it out with force, there's no handle on a paper clip.

Another option

Z1E's Hook and Pick Set

Also handy for removing over-bucket valve shims, especially the strong magnet at tip of handle.

del

I have several of the cheapo give away pocket type screw drivers that i have (modified) for just such things.

I second the use of a set of picks. I just cleaned my calipers and soaked them down with degreaser for a couple hours and spent about 15 minutes with each caliper scraping the crust and junk out.

try soaking the parts in brake clean,then carefully scrape it out;)

take your propane torch and run a low flame over that
stuff and it turns into powder and scrapes right off
hold it in your hand so it doesn't get too hot
you want the flame to hit the goo, then a brass brush