Xantia Front Brake Caliper Retaining Pin Stuck

[larkspeed]

I need to change the front pads on my 98 Xantia 1.8 8v

According to the manual I just pull the split pin out of the lower retaining pin, extract the pin and then rotate the caliper about it's top mounting bolt.

My problem is even after the split pins are removed I cannot get either retaining pin to budge, they are seized solid.

Does anyone have any idea how I can get these out?

I have already tried soaking them with WD40 and that did not do the trick.

I don't care about destroying the pins because I have a new mounting set so new pins to go in their place.

[handyman]

Those pins can be a very tight fit. Sometimes, pushing the caliper in towards the hub & against the pad springs can relieve the tension, but you will still need a good punch & a Birmingham 'screwdriver' to get the pins to move.

If they are OE ones, they are stainless steel, so should not be corroded in. Be careful of the little 'tit' on the caliper body that abutts to the pin. It can break off & ruin a good caliper.

BTW, forget WD40, its the Devils juice & should not be used anywhere near a car. Nor anywhere on the planet, truth to be told. Use proper penetrating oil or diesel.

H

[CitroJim]

And some very gentle heat from a very fine flame to help things along a bit..

I find a good pin punch just a little smaller in diameter as the pin and a 2lb club hammer normally does the business...

It's not often careful heat is needed...

[Hell Razor5543]

You might want to put a smear of copper slip grease onto the new pins before you fit them, so that they should not seize in place again. CS grease does not dry out, and can manage the heat generated by the brakes.

[larkspeed]

Thanks for the replys and the info

I only have a home blow torch so hopefully that's good enough for heat, I don't own a pin punch what I was using was a hardened narrow shaft bolt which should get the same effect.

It does actually look like whoever did the brakes last time intentionally mushroomed the ends of the pins, not sure why they would do this and they were like it before I touched them. I may or may not have made them worse trying to get them out.

I was thinking of getting my grinder out and grinding off the mushroom and trying again

[CitroJim]

I was thinking of getting my grinder out and grinding off the mushroom and trying again

That's a good idea as if they have been mushroomed that there's no way they'll come out without a bit of gentle grinding...

Be careful not to grind into the caliper housing and potentially make a stress riser there that could lead to a crack..

Did they get mushroomed because the tiny R clips are missing? If so they can be replaced with soft iron wire...

[larkspeed]

The clips were missing yes.

I already had a new mounting kit to go in.

I went out this morning and bought a 4mm pin punch, ground the ends down, soaked them some more in WD40 (all I had) and then went at it with a 2lb hammer.

They were stubborn at first but they gave in eventually.

Brakes are now done, thanks everyone

[Hell Razor5543]

Well done. Did you grease the new pins with CS grease?

[larkspeed]

I did

[Hell Razor5543]

Great. That should make your life easier when you next have to pop the pins out. Happy spannering!

[CitroJim]

Excellent