Taking apart Auto Zone z32 alluminum caliper

[JerseyS14]

Hey guys and gals (just in case),

Have any of you taken your AZ calipers apart to paint or powdercoat them... my calipers kinda look like they're sealed together forever... i tried taking a bolt off (with tools but not an impact gun) but i couldn't get it to budge... seems like they're locktite'd in there for good.. here's the pics... Do they look sealed permanently or am i just that weak.



Also, this last pic shows the seal. you see how part of the seal is not flush in the middle (between both pistons) and puckers out a little bit... is that ok? is this normal or good? any chances of it leaking?



Thanks for you help...

[killernoodle]

If you can't get them apart with the tools you have, then don't bother. There is no sense breaking something for no reason.

The outer rubber seal only is supposed to keep dirt and sand and junk away from the piston. If it is not flush it might let foreign junk in there. Have you tried fiddling with it to get it to seal? If you can't get that ring to fit perfectly then just make sure the openings point at a downward angle so any water that gets in there will just drain out.

[im_looking_for_a_240sx]

umm, i..uhh, i dont belive theyre supposed to come apart like that...

[hilux30]

man, that casting looks like crap, and you got these from AZ? didn't know they made Z32 brakes. as far as the bolts dont mess with them because with aluminum chances are they are tapped in there and you will remove the threads with bolds and the caliper is junk after that

[JerseyS14]

I need to take them apart to get them powder coated. They kinda seem to be sealed... I can try to use an impact gun to free the bolts... I bought used ones for the rear and the bolts came off with a little leverage...

[JerseyS14]

So basically you're saying return these and buy used ones to paint and rebuild..?

[94_240sx]

They are not sealed. It's just aluminum color spray paint. I thinik they dremeled the surface smooth and that's why it looks like it's sealed. If you remove the 4 big bolts, you can take them apart. Those rubber seals and ring clips are aftermarket, and that's why they don't fit well. It's should be okay though. There's another seal in the middle of piston and it'll leak if that one is bad. Check out my write up for more detail.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=215854

[im_looking_for_a_240sx]

oops sorry1 dont listen to me i dont know anything bout z brakes. lol sorry7

[hilux30]

thats right go return them and get original ones from a junkyard or online they are everywhere. I dont trust the casting, these are monoblock calipers which means under hard braking the caliper wants to spread and with cheap metal they can crack or totally break. I never saw it on Z32 calipers because I never dealt with this design from AZ, but casting strength and metarial is the most important part in the caliper not how many pistons.....

[hilux30]

one more thing: are u doing a swap or replacing existing brakes? when you see an old factory caliper no matter how crappy in shape it is you will know the differance in quality. Then rebuild the old calipers using dealer seal kits, or ask for CENTRIC seal kits in AZ or other parts stores thats the only non-dealer brand that i trust

[JerseyS14]

I'm converting to Z-brakes on my S14... -S-w-a-p-

[nightsauce]

I'm always down to help...did my z32 brake swap a few months ago. Awesome upgrade..

[simmode1]

They are not sealed. It's just aluminum color spray paint. I thinik they dremeled the surface smooth and that's why it looks like it's sealed. If you remove the 4 big bolts, you can take them apart. Those rubber seals and ring clips are aftermarket, and that's why they don't fit well. It's should be okay though. There's another seal in the middle of piston and it'll leak if that one is bad. Check out my write up for more detail.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=215854

Listen to this man! He is the definitive source on Z32 brake upgrade info!

[94_240sx]

i tried taking a bolt off (with tools but not an impact gun) but i couldn't get it to budge... seems like they're locktite'd in there for good..

Step on the caliper and use a breaker bar. It's not easy to remove those bolts.

[amakadius]

just paint them and call it a day. use high temp paint in a spray can from home depot.

[JerseyS14]

I'm trying to do it next weekend (hopefully).. i just ordered my rear R33 brake lines, brake conversion lines, brakes, and other crap... I just need to get the calipers painted... i might just rip these front calipers apart, get them painted, and use em..

I'll probably do the swap in the bronx cause i dont' have my own garage... i'm planning on using my girlfriend's garage...

We'll see.. i could use the extra help.... cause my girl will probably just watch...



... I am spending a good grand on the fronts and rears so i don't wanna spend $5 on paint and then i have to worry about repainting later on down the road.. just wanna get them done right once...

[killernoodle]

thats right go return them and get original ones from a junkyard or online they are everywhere. I dont trust the casting, these are monoblock calipers which means under hard braking the caliper wants to spread and with cheap metal they can crack or totally break. I never saw it on Z32 calipers because I never dealt with this design from AZ, but casting strength and metarial is the most important part in the caliper not how many pistons.....

These calipers are NOT monoblock. Monoblocks are made from a single piece of metal. A monoblock caliper does not have any bolts going from one side to the other besides the pad pin. Also, AZ doesn't cast these, they just take used calipers and send them off to get refurbished and then re-sell them.

[94_240sx]

These calipers are NOT monoblock. Monoblocks are made from a single piece of metal. A monoblock caliper does not have any bolts going from one side to the other besides the pad pin. Also, AZ doesn't cast these, they just take used calipers and send them off to get refurbished and then re-sell them.

That is correct. How do you make those small channels where fluid goes through if it's mono black? That's impossible.

[JerseyS14]

To tonight i'll go try my luck again with a breaker bar... n hopefully have everything done by next weekend.. i'll post pics..

Thanks guys.. much appreciated...

[YuNg1's_240sx]

Wouldn't these remanufactured calipers be better than some of the junk in the junkyard? I bought some J30 calipers and they had very uneven wear on the pads, I took them off to quickly to check if it was the piston side (piston sticking) or the other side, meaning one of the bolts are on too tight. i cant remember.

[duffman1278]

DO NOT SPLIT THESE CALIPERS APART!

[nightsauce]

DO NOT SPLIT THESE CALIPERS APART!

I agree. I also agree that you should just take some high temp paint to em. I did mine and it came out quite good. Long as you tape up the internals you should be fine.

[JerseyS14]

DO NOT SPLIT THESE CALIPERS APART!

Why not? i guess i can just high temp it if i find the color i'm looking for.. but why the "DO NOT SPLIT THESE CALIPERS APART!"... were they sealed during re-manufacturing... what's gonna happen.

[JerseyS14]

How long can properly spray painted calipers last. And wouldn't powder coating last a lot longer. And powdercoated calipers would be easier to clean right?

[Chingon]

wow, lot's of misinfo..

don't split them.....not a good idea,

hell don't powdercoat them, also a bad idea.

no, AZ does not make brake calipers, these are sumitomo castings rebuilt by AZ and resold aka. remanufactured..

[numbnuts240]

hell don't powdercoat them, also a bad idea.

why not?

[JerseyS14]

Yes please explain?

There are a lot of valid statements telling what to do but some don't tell me "why" to do or not do it?

[duffman1278]

Don't do it! Read the FSM!!!

[numbnuts240]

*edit

94_240 explained. thank you.
Modified by numbnuts240 at 12:30 PM 8/18/2009

[94_240sx]

Yes please explain?

There are a lot of valid statements telling what to do but some don't tell me "why" to do or not do it?

It's because z32 factory service manual says so. Nissan doesn't sell small o-rings that go between two halves. You will have to reuse them or source exact same size o-rings. There's no torque spec for the 4 bolts that hold two pieces together. If you do it wrong, brake fluid will leak from the crack in the middle. I don't know. I ignored whatever z32 FSM said and powder coated mine and there's been no problem so far. No leaks or uneven wear of pads. Just be careful and rebuild them right and eveything should be okay. If I have to do it all over again, I'll still take them apart, rebuild and powder coat.