HOW TO Remove Stuck Brake Caliper Pistons - GL650 Build - EP14

How to remove stuck brake caliper pistons with compressed air! In this video we get away relatively easy with some stuck brake caliper pistons in these GL650 brakes. Luckily enough I was able to remove them with compressed air and a c clamp after I broke the seal loose on them. There are so many interesting methods I didn't talk about as well such as using a grease gun, bearing remover, DIY clamp and puller setups, and more so this is just what I used in this instance.
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[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Just came across this video. Its very good info. Iv used the spare mastercylinder trick to get pistons out. I like the c clamp 1 with the caliper sealed off and wind in the clamp to move the stuck piston. Thanks for this vid.

[@superblackbird7889]

Thanks alot for the tip , i am just about to restore 40 year old Honda that has been parked for 20 years, and my issue now is the brake calipers. So this was wery helpful.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@apocx4290]

Spot on. Also air compressors aren’t cheap I was going to buy one just for a stuck piston. Sure I can find other uses but £150 on an air compressor doesn’t seem feasible for now 😂 especially as I’ve ordered a rebuild kit, piston and pads for the rear calliper already which again didn’t come cheap. I’ll be using the brake fluid master cylinder messy method until I can get myself an air compressor. Great video buddy!

[@zam2648]

Omg I can’t believe compressed air worked, I’ve been using vice grips and beating the hell out of this with a hammer, you’re a lifesaver!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Happy to help! Once you break the piston free you can work it out more easily

[@LilDonnyG]

Thank You! I used this method to get the dual caliper pistons out of a Honda Pilot caliper. Those duals are tricky.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it worked for ya!

[@pauleverest5750]

Great video, I wondered why it was so hard to get my secound piston out. I know what to do now. I replaced the pistons and seals. Even after giving the stuck piston side a major clean it was tighter than expected to reinstall. But had gone too far for that day and put it all back together and will take out and check the seal cavities again and clean them more thoroughly another day. 👍👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sixfive0cycle]

I have used a fresh tire valve stem because I didn't have the rubber tipped air nozzle. Good video, well done and nicely explained!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats a killer tip right there! Thanks for sharing

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

Thank you so much for the tip of using the block of wood. I pulled apart some dual piston calipers today and was definitely scratching my head on how to get the second pistons out 😅

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@champagne2832]

Really digging the last tech with filling the caliper with fluid and pushing the good piston in with a C-clamp. Think it's gonna be my only shott with my current situation and I don't think I would of thought about it on my own before ruining something in a fit if rage lol. That tech tip alone won my subscription. Thank you!!!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hey glad to help! Thank you

[@champagne2832]

Just got done actually and it worked perfectly!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@champagne2832 awesome to hear!

[@MrCornholioTS]

Man I was trying to hammer mine back with a hammer and chisel with 0 luck, was probably gunna break it, a G Clamp was perfect, did it with hand tightening ease! Thankyou man.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad the video was helpful!

[@AnchorsAweighNarooma]

Really well done and very easy to follow, thanks so much

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@orestisathanasopoulos9345]

Best video out there You’re my friend told me everything I need to know

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@mrsshoe5557]

Thank you so much for the video!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I am glad/hope it helped

[@TheEverydayEnthusiast]

You should have a series called ten minute tech tips! Never would have thought about hooking up the master cylinder off the bike. And the wood block idea

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

The wood block is a learned tool lol

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I have absolutely sent these flying when I first did one of these a few years back

[@tcullen5895]

Thanks for posting

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hopefully you found it helpful!

[@aythrea]

Getting those pistons out with just a set of channel locks is an all day affair. One that left my hands bruised for about 2 weeks.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yea thats a lose lose situation by the end of it. Doing it hydraulically is so much better

[@DocJonesGarage]

Thanks BJ that's some solid info there, do you ever wonder how much time you've saved people with your videos 😆

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I do think about that lol

[@user-rr7ns4ht3r]

If they came out using compressed air they weren't stuck very badly. Air will compress, fluids won't. I've used 200 psi trying to get them out before & failed. Easiest way is to hook caliper up to a functioning master cylinder & use brake fluid to press them out. Other tips were good.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well many people don't even know about compressed air. Using another master cylinder is obviously more powerful but I've found this works 98% of the time once you break them free.

[@djlancer88]

Thank you for sharing this very valuable information with us =D

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@TheJWC56RSA]

Good video! Thanks & Regards!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonymitera3835]

You know, as a guy who is working on a Honda CB400T that has sat for twenty or so years and the brake fluid broke down and the pistons are stuck, I *really* appreciated this video. I think this bike might actually use the same caliper as the left one of that pair.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad its helpful! The info can be used on any caliper but glad it has a direct reference for yours

[@tonymitera3835]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Out of curiosity, do you remember / know what PSI you were using in this video?

[@cb400fhonda6]

Awesome

[@renegarcia1807]

Thanks you very much very useful

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it so!

[@colvj2]

Good video bruh!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya!

[@ShannonHartnett-117]

Try cleaning pistons with 0000 grade superfine steel wool works good with WD-40 to clean stainless steel or chrome surfaces with corrosion or surface rust.

[@success_road999]

Excellent job my congratulation god help you

[@markfranks48]

Good video which ever method you have to use

[@maxgood4361]

Also seen this done with a grease gun and fill the caliber with grease to pop the piston out. But I think you have to replace the bleed screw with a zert fitting for your size of gun and seal off the inlet. Definitely more complicated than master cylinder method.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I've seen that too and it definitely works. I just got lucky on this one that I didn't have to go beyond air!

[@sixfive0cycle]

Very messy methodbut it does work! I always try the air first!

[@Gus-cg9yp]

Hi, another trick if you don't have air compresor . Use a and greaser plugged in the bleeding nipple and the grease will force it out as you pump . Thanks . Gus

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yup I've seen that too and its a good trick for sure

[@johnpublic168]

Second that

[@cedricbdo7551]

I almost broke my thumb when I did this with compressed air ^^

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That can easily happen

[@loragoff1969]

This is an amazing video. So much attention to detail and very good camera shots to show everything necessary.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@AaronStrumpel]

Have you ever had the long pins that hold the pads in stuck? One of my two calipers isn't playing nice at the moment.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They all fight me but I've been successful each time. Heat and penetrant at a minimum

[@AaronStrumpel]

many thanks...on to the heat gun!

[@francoisgodofe]

Excellent! Gonna try that this week end. How much PSI did you inject roughly ? ( had to buy an air compressor and would like one that is just enough ). Thank you :)

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

About 100psi. I actually just posted a video yesterday with a section on piston removal with a grease gun that is much more controlled

[@SamWilliams78]

BJ, I am working on a 1985 Nighthawk 650 which seems to have the same style of calibers I think. What has been your favorite parts source for line, pads, etc on these type of old Hondas? Thanks!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

My general list is: partzilla, revzilla, cmsnl, old bike barn, dime city cycles, ebay, David silver spares, 4into1, and occasionally Amazon depending on what it is. Avoid the cheapest options as they are rarely any good.

[@SamWilliams78]

@@BrickHouseBuilds you’re the man! Thanks.

[@nicolasmachado447]

Any advice when pistons are made of backelite ? I have been coping with such a problem with a cylinder not moving that I had to buy a new caliper complete…

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I would think material would be irrelevant although i'm not sure what backelite is. The operation should be the same

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Just came across ur vid. Bakealite is the early form of hard plastic. Very old telafones and light switchs use to be made from it​@@BrickHouseBuilds

[@maceguerrier]

Hey I’m having somewhat of the same problem with my bike rear caliper. I took it apart and piston does not have any corrosion it still looks brand new but I still cleaned it up & when I had put everything back on the bike I wasn’t able to move my bike forward at all it’s like the piston were applying on its own without me pressing the rear brake. Anything tips what should i do 😥 idk why pistons are coming out on its own.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I would look to make sure you have the physical caliper and components mounted right. I've seen some crazy stuff with things being bolted on wrong causing binding.

[@petefletcher]

A good plan is to pump them out before dismantling the brake system.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That plan works if the master cylinder works. This one was very corroded as I explained.

[@the_nurse_of_your_heart]

Any specific procedure on how to put them back on?? Or just keep pushing em in??

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Really just take your time and don't force them. If they feel like they don't want to go, remove and check the seals. Lube and go again. It will work eventually

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

Soak the calipers in vinegar for a day or two and you will be able to pull them out with your fingers.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Any negative side effects on the paint soaking that long?

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

@@BrickHouseBuilds No. Vinegar is a very mild acid.You can dunk them in alcohol to neutralize the vinegar or just wash them with hot water.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Have dismantled 10 from varying bikes it's never the piston...always the Seals which are the issue I never used an air line but got a Hand Pump which gave me complete control Pushing out one is a mistake...they both have to come out simultaneously So using Fillers and Clamps to control each Piston individually is the only option Better still replace the Brake Piston Seals every 2 years

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Correct, the seals are what hold the pistons in place and cause the problems. I think you may have misunderstood my methods or explanation in a couple parts though.

[@vincentmckenna1755]

If the piston is binding on the disc can it be levered back in

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I guess that depends on how bound it is

[@vincentmckenna1755]

@BrickHouseBuilds the wheel does go round but binding a bit

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If you feel the piston is binding it's just a safety precaution to disassemble and clean. Your life is worth more than saving a few bucks

[@mitjakopcar9029]

So when the compressed air doesn't work next step is the lever. Thank you

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If you have a working master cylinder and clear line that is usually the most powerful way. Another option is a grease gun

[@mitjakopcar9029]

@@BrickHouseBuilds i actually work on a bycicle But the solutions are similar, as I see. Too bad I didn't done it with the lever at the start. Now I must First bleed it again. Anyway thanks for the help

[@TheErsatzMode]

How can stuck pistons be removed if they are stuck fast but leak pressure (due to being incorrectly inserted into a calliper)? Is drilling the only way?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If you have a bearing puller you may be able to clamp on the inside and slide hammer out

[@TheErsatzMode]

@@BrickHouseBuilds, thanks. I took the calliper to a mechanic's workshop in the end. The stuck pistons were removed using a better air compressor than my hand pump. I'm grateful for your reply.

[@ryanpowell470]

What if one comes out and not the other?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Unless you restrain one piston you will only be able to move 1 at a time. You should check out my latest CX500 video for a section of removing pistons using a grease gun

[@Doile911]

What if i don't have an air compressor?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If you have a good master cylinder you can hook the line up, bleed, and pump it out. First use a clamp to push the pistons in and break the seal tension. then pump out

[@DaveLowe28]

The best way I found ... or rather someone else found, is to fill the piston with a bunch of hex shaped bits (like screwdriver bits) and then a large allen key and spin/pull them out. Takes a lot of brute force but worked perfectly on my ones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fouUhH95fbdre6s

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

So the way you explained it had me confused at first but watching your video was great! I will 100% give that a shot next time! Very cool!

[@vlratcliffe1]

OK so I don't have an airline . And the cost of buying one just to change 4 pistons .mmm

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Another option is to use hydraulic pressure from a grease gun. I demonstrate it here in the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIKWdotnfNWmoq8

[@tripodcrew2495]

So…first step: buy an air compressor

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I know a few may not have a compressor but the majority who are wrenching on bikes have one. For you I have a more cost effective solution if you can obtain a grease gun. You can use that to force the pistons out. I show it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIKWdotnfNWmoq8

[@N269]

As a professional (as per your intro).... why don't you have a piston puller? For less than $30 you can actually be that professional.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It's on the list but low priority

[@michaelandmariedownes6070]

Because he was showing us ppl who dont have a piston puller how to do it with equipment we may have.

[@N269]

​@@michaelandmariedownes6070 well, then I suggest getting a set. Worth it and they work well. 2 types, pliers type and expander/puller type. Inexpensive and they work.