Caliper clean and new seals?

[m4xmw]

Just about to service the calipers on my 1.8t.

Its a 1999 model and I`m about to replace the dust seals and really give the calipers(front) a good clean out.

Any tips would be useful...I`ll be performing this on Fri... I`ll take some pics and post my results.

Ta in advance!

Mark

[m4xmw]

Well I did the seals today, sorry for no pics, I had messy hands!

Its a fiddly job with brake fluid making for slippery handling.
Was enough to do though.

Just unbolt the calpier from the carrier, remove the pads too.
Pump the brake pedal to push out the caliper piston.
A good clean of the piston and caliper can be carried out.
This will force the piston free, and will enable the dust seal and the brake fluid seal to be easily changed over for new ones.Just check the piston for major scores or wear etc
A brake pipe clamp is handy to stop all the fluid from leaking out of the open caliper.
When reassembling undo the bleed nut to allow the piston to retract.
I used a piston windback tool.
Reassemble and keep all parts clean with brake cleaning sprayand lots of clean rags.
Now release the clamp and bleed the caliper until all air is expelled.
My girlfriend (thanks Joanne!) did the brake pedal whilst I undid and tightened the bleed nut.(attached a clear tube to the nipple to see the air being replaced with fluid free from bubbles)
Dont forget to keep the brake fluid reservoir topped up with brake fluid too!

A final push of the brake pedal once all was fitted etc and to make the piston push the pads on to the disc and the pedal was firm.
A short test drive made sure all was well!

About 1 hour per side if you take your time and keep everything clean .

Hope this is useful?

Mark

[snapdragon]

Good job! I did my rears after tearing a dust boot. The new ones came with seals which had to be soaked in some liquid which came in sachets. It smelled of castor oil. Are the fronts like this?

[m4xmw]

Nope these are Genuine VW parts and just came in a sealed packet.

Be interesting to see the rears though!

Mark