Home 
Home Search search Menu menu Not logged in - Login | Register
> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Brakes > Help caliper pistons and new pads

 Moderated by: Greg Fletcher Page:    1  2  Next Page Last Page  
New Topic Reply Printer Friendly
Help caliper pistons and new pads  Rating:  Rating
AuthorPost
 Posted: 05-11-2007 03:19 am
  PM Quote Reply
1st Post
Zamoraj
Member
 

Joined: 05-10-2007
Location:  
Posts: 7
Status: 
Offline
Hello all,
Greg, great job running the jhps!!!
I am trying to finalize a replacement of front disks and pads (and bearings) for my JH. Got all the parts from Delta.  I was happy they suggested including bearings, as I found one on each side that definitely needed replacement (so I did all 4). 

However, I can't get the new pads and disk to thick to fit in the calipers (which I did not break apart, not up to that yet).  The pistons are quite hard and I can't get them to retreat inwards.  Any suggestions would be welcome. 

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-12-2007 01:15 am
  PM Quote Reply
2nd Post
smcmanus
Member


Joined: 03-08-2006
Location:  
Posts: 123
Status: 
Offline
Sounds to me like your calipers need to be rebuilt.  You can take a C-clamp and a block of wood across the piston and see if you can get it to move.  It is a good idea to open the bleeder first.  If it moves relatively easily, then you are probably OK.  If it takes much force to move, then a rebuild is in order.  When was the last time the calipers were done?  If it was '73, then they probably need it anyway.

Good Luck

Steve

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-12-2007 02:33 am
  PM Quote Reply
3rd Post
Ron Earp
Member


Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Cary, North Carolina USA
Posts: 339
Status: 
Offline
Nice alternative is to use TR7 calipers. They bolt right on, and can be bought completely new for like $70 each. You will have a nice side effect of more pad choices, cheaper rebuild costs, and slightly larger pad area. TR7 pads are cheap, readily available, and can be had in race compounds if you desire. And no, the slightly larger pad area does not increase pedal effort.


And on yours, if I can't push them back with my fingers, granted with a lot of effort, I rebuild them. I still agree with the above posting about using a block and c-clamp since many times you can't get a straight shot with your hands, but a nice working caliper with bleed screw open should be doable with your hands/fingers.


Ron

Last edited on 05-12-2007 04:14 am by Ron Earp

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-13-2007 01:15 pm
  PM Quote Reply
4th Post
Zamoraj
Member
 

Joined: 05-10-2007
Location:  
Posts: 7
Status: 
Offline
thanks to both of you, very helpful suggestions. I will try the c clamp first and if not, I'll probably go with the new calipers.  The existing ones are the originals and it does not look like they've been touched since '74....when the bearings unpacked, the original oil seals were still there.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-13-2007 06:38 pm
  PM Quote Reply
5th Post
Ron Mau
Member
 

Joined: 03-14-2005
Location: Davenport, Iowa USA
Posts: 61
Status: 
Offline
Hey Ron,

Where is a good place you suggest for the TR7 Calipers?  Mine just locked up on me 15 miles from home and by the time I got there the outside driver pad was metal to metal.  Granted I have a set of dells getting rebuilt now, but would like to continue to drive it in the mean time.

Thanks

Jeremy Mau

(at my dads house)

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-14-2007 04:28 am
  PM Quote Reply
6th Post
Mark Rosenbaum
Member


Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Kingman, Arizona USA
Posts: 532
Status: 
Offline
You can also use the calipers from a later Spitfire.  There are some minor differences but AFAIK they are not significant.  And JH pads will work on the Spit calipers.

Attachment: Spitfire 1970 vs JH 1973 calipers 1.jpg (Downloaded 133 times)

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-14-2007 02:38 pm
  PM Quote Reply
7th Post
Jon Plowe
Member
 

Joined: 10-10-2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 35
Status: 
Offline
I have recently improved the braking by a large margin by changing  the 'adequate' Girling Type 14 caliper fitted as standard to Girling Type 16 (probably the same as TR7) as fitted to TR6's, Ford Escort RS's, Ford Capri's and many other 70's and early 80's British cars. Bolt straight on. Also have gone from standard pads (feeble) to EBC Green Stuff (better) to Mintex 1147 (expensive but wonderful) which with the above has transformed the braking. Also found out that self adjusting rear brakes have about 20% more area of friction material.

Cheers

Jon

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-15-2007 12:44 am
  PM Quote Reply
8th Post
Ron Earp
Member


Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Cary, North Carolina USA
Posts: 339
Status: 
Offline
Jeremy,

I've used http://www.carparts.com before. They have reman calipers for $75, everything included, just bolt it on. They work well, will hold up to racing duty because everybody I know running TR7s/TR8s have used them fine. I'm sure they are some overseas made parts, but they do the job and offer you a much better selection of pad choices as Jon points out. I'm fairly certain they are same calipers that fit the aforementioned cars.

Ron

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-16-2007 06:03 am
  PM Quote Reply
9th Post
Joel
Member
 

Joined: 07-01-2005
Location: San Diego, USA
Posts: 184
Status: 
Offline
Ron:

Great  INFO!  I'm putting on new brake lines and am considering replacing the calipers just because I'm sure mine are OE.  For 150 bucks it's worth it.  Then I can screw around with the originals if I want to - but for 75 bucks why bother?

Anywho, what pads do you like?  I've been known to work my brakes hard. . . I'm not on the track but I work em.

And I don't put that many miles on the car so I don't mind replacing them once in a while too.  It's not like I need to get 30,000 miles out of them.

Joel

Last edited on 05-16-2007 06:04 am by Joel

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-16-2007 04:36 pm
  PM Quote Reply
10th Post
Ron Earp
Member


Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Cary, North Carolina USA
Posts: 339
Status: 
Offline
I got some Hawk Blues for the race car, and some Carbotechs, but don't use those.  Too little bite until they are hot and they won't be hot enough on the street unless you are braking from 100mph repeatedly.

I honestly don't have a recommendation for a street car since I unfortunately never got my JH on the street.  Sounds like Jon has some recommendations and I have heard the Green Stuff was decent based on another application.

R

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-16-2007 08:23 pm
  PM Quote Reply
11th Post
Jensen Healey
Super Moderator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: San Anselmo, California USA
Posts: 983
Status: 
Offline
Hawk HPS street pads. I use the Spitfire pads in the JH calipers and even though they're slightly smaller  they're a real improvement over regular pads or simi-metallic pads.

I bought some used TR7 calipers to check them out and the pad size is very slightly larger than the JH. They weigh a ton. The TR8 calipers and pads would be a real improvement but those are rare. Best to go with the JHPS Big Brake Kit.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 05-16-2007 08:51 pm
  PM Quote Reply
12th Post
Joel
Member
 

Joined: 07-01-2005
Location: San Diego, USA
Posts: 184
Status: 
Offline
Only problems with the 'big brake' kit is: 

1)  it's expensive
2) i need either the spacers (expensive) or to buy all new rims and tires (even more expensive). 

On the 2nd JH I have I figure I'll go big brakes and larger rims.  For the one I'm running now - I just need better brakes.  The brakes on this thing SUCK.  I can't lock them up at 35mph - not good.  And every once in a while - it feels like only one front brake is working - even worse! 

So, I just got new lines from Greg and I'm deciding whether or not to just put the damn calipers on while I've got it all apart.  I'm strongly leaning towards putting on the Reman TR7 calipers.  Cheap and lots of pads available.  It's GOT to be an improvement over what's currently on it. 

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 05-17-2007 05:32 pm
  PM Quote Reply
13th Post
Jon Plowe
Member
 

Joined: 10-10-2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 35
Status: 
Offline
Apologise I meant to say the type of pads I use are Mintex 1144 (not 1147) which with the type 16's give real bite.  It might be of interest to know that spacer kits for type 16's are readily available.  Unfortunately I've not been able to find a set on vented discs to match, but then unless you are thrashing your car around a track do you need them?

Jon

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 06-03-2007 02:52 am
  PM Quote Reply
14th Post
DeDub
Member


Joined: 04-10-2005
Location: Sebastopol, CA, California USA
Posts: 28
Status: 
Offline
 I've installed JHPS's big brake kit and stainless lines and I have a couple of observations and a complaint.   First, the braking is superb; linear and strong and though I haven't raced it, I haven't felt any fade.  Second, they're an easy bolt-on affair.  FYI, I've simply installed a pair of spacers under the front rims so I can continue using the stock rims and I think it's fine for street use.  Third, the pads contact the rotors farther outboard than stock which causes a few things to happen: the outer edge of the pads overhang the outside of the rotors by a small amount, a couple of millimeters, and consequently as the pads wear, a little ledge of unworn pad forms outside the rotor and it looks as if they would eventually contact each other and prevent the pads from squeezing the rotor.  A minor problem that a little occasional filing would fix.

My complaint it about noise.  The pads are loose in the calipers, rattle like crazy while driving, and make a clacking sound if I hit the brakes quickly.  It's a pretty loud rattle.   I don't see an easy way to lock the pads in place while still allowing their movement but am pretty unhappy with the amount of noise they make.  Has anyone else dealt with this and/or found a fix?

Dave,
JH 19377, now in a red dress with black trim

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 06-05-2007 01:17 am
  PM Quote Reply
15th Post
Greg Fletcher
Administrator


Joined: 03-11-2005
Location: Lake Nacimiento, California USA
Posts: 430
Status: 
Offline
This is the first time I've heard about noise from the pads/calipers. Is your master cylinder and the rest of the brake system working properly? If the noise is from pad vibration, that can happen on any disk set up. Try using some disk brake quite compound or hi temp silcon between the pad and the caliper pistons.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 06-10-2007 05:51 pm
  PM Quote Reply
16th Post
Joel
Member
 

Joined: 07-01-2005
Location: San Diego, USA
Posts: 184
Status: 
Offline
HMMM, I purchased some rebuilt TR7 calipers.  They don't fit and certainly are not bolt on replacements. . .

Did TR7 use several different calipers?


At least the shop I bought them from said  (and reconfirmed) they are TR7 calipers. 

I hate to go get another pair just to see. . .


Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 06-11-2007 04:33 am
  PM Quote Reply
17th Post
Art DeKneef
Member
 

Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Mesa, Arizona USA
Posts: 338
Status: 
Offline
The way I read the info is that the calipers were from a TR6 and might be the same as a TR7. So I went to two web sites, Victoria British and the Car Parts one Ron mentioned and compared calipers for 1976 cars.

I checked both sites for calipers for each car. On each site the parts number for each caliper is different as well as the price. I would think if they would be the same the part number and price would be the same. Wanting more information I looked up the pictures of the two different calipers and they look different. Now there are no dimensions or scale listed so it is impossible to tell from the pictures which would fit.

I even checked a 76 Spitfire that Mark mentioned might fit. The part number for the front caliper is the same as the Healey. So I think we can say the parts are the same.

The only way to be sure is for those who have changed calipers to supply part numbers or to take your Healey calipers to the place and compare them with a TR6 and TR7.

Sounds like a trip to Delta is in order as I need a few more parts any how.

Art

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 06-11-2007 04:56 pm
  PM Quote Reply
18th Post
Jon Plowe
Member
 

Joined: 10-10-2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 35
Status: 
Offline
I was speaking to an elderly gentleman yesteray who had the dubious privilage of being a manufacturer and supplier of parts to British cars in the 1970's. He said it was common practice to use different part numbers for the same item depending on which vehicle it was going onto e.g Rover more expensive than Austin

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: 06-11-2007 09:18 pm
  PM Quote Reply
19th Post
Ron Earp
Member


Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Cary, North Carolina USA
Posts: 339
Status: 
Offline
Art DeKneef wrote:

The only way to be sure is for those who have changed calipers to supply part numbers or to take your Healey calipers to the place and compare them with a TR6 and TR7.


I can tell you for sure some 1977 TR7 calipers will bolt right on the Jensen with no trouble at all. Bought brand news ones from Vic Brit when they were on sale year or so ago. Cheap, new, and work great. Cheaper than the rebuild kit, use readily available TR7 pads and components.

The TR7 caliper is different than the Jensen caliper, but is cheap, and has more pad selection as well as being a tiny bit larger.

R

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: 06-12-2007 03:45 am
  PM Quote Reply
20th Post
Art DeKneef
Member
 

Joined: 03-12-2005
Location: Mesa, Arizona USA
Posts: 338
Status: 
Offline
Ron,

I don't doubt you. I was hoping you might have a part number to use for reference so I don't go through what Joel did and maybe help Joel out.

I'm going to Delta sometime this week and will take some of my parts with and see if Jim and I can come up with something for reference.

And Jon, I figured as much.

Art

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

Current time is 06:52 am Page:    1  2  Next Page Last Page    
> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Brakes > Help caliper pistons and new pads Top




UltraBB 1.172 Copyright © 2007-2011 Data 1 Systems