Rear Brake Caliper Questions Options

[ljubodraz]

Firstly, many thanks to Eric Shea and the rest of you who have written threads that are helping me rebuild my rear brake calipers on my own.

I've got a few questions so far as I wait for parts:

1. What is the purpose of the mechanism within the brake pistons? Does it allow the piston to extend and retract beyond the limits of the adjustment bolt that threads into it?

2. Is there anything I should do to test that it's working properly?



3. I see that Eric Shea recommends and uses Permatex Ceramic Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant for assembly purposes. I've also seen other threads saying to only use some hard to find $$$ ATE paste. Aside from lubricating the parking brake mechanism that pushes the internal bolt, can't I (should I) simply use brake fluid to lube the pistons and seals during assembly? Unlike Eric's calipers, mine won't be sitting around too long before being installed preventing the brake fluid from absorbing water.

[ljubodraz]

Jeff,
Thanks again. I'll study the PDF documents you attached when I get some more time. I'll admit that my understanding of knock back might have been backwards. I was referring to the caliper's ability to slightly pull the pistons away from contact after pedal release. You were referring, I think, to slop in the system that keeps pushing the pads back more than we want and how the calipers try to overcome this. No error on your part.... we just think of it from different angles.

Eric,
Thanks to you as well. Thanks for confirming that the rears are "supposed" to auto adjust venting clearance with pad & rotor wear. I'm just surprised that I've never read such a statement here before. That doesn't mean that I ever questioned your advice to check the venting clearance regularly.

Other than cleaning up the rear piston mechanisms during a rebuild, have you ever figured out a way to test they're working properly before reassembly? (other than checking for broken springs)

To you both..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)