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[candyman]

So, I managed to get my zj through the mot today, which over here isn't easy,  especially when the drivers front caliper is sticking. My question is, do brity's have any recommendations for either rebuild kits or calipers before I order some crap from somewhere. I have a spare stuck set of calipers, along with the rest of the jeep, to rebuild them so it would only be a matter of swapping them over. I have read that people change to metal pistons, is this a good idea?
 
Cheers Ross.

[daggie]

no 4 on the list 


http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-brake-parts/cherokee-xj/index.htm

[gazjeep]

Having changed at least 3 calipers on the TJ over the years I recently found Bigg red in Worcester who will sell you all the bits n bobs to rebuild yours, in fact they will rebuild them for you.

http://www.biggred.co.uk/

Although I have not used the parts yet, having shown Bubba (aka Kev or MJS) I went back yesterday to swop the OEM pistons that look like bakalite but are in fact phenolic coated for steel ones, picking them up next week. No difference in price.

Hope that helps

[daggie]

thats a good find gaz 

[gazjeep]

Typically I only found it when one of the Capri guys pointed me in that direction for some new seals for brake fluid reservior, whats worse is its 15 minutes away from me 

They sell stuff on eBay too. when the boss went for my Capri bits & the stuff for TJ, they couldn't be more helpful & showed this again yesterday.

And as shear coincidence would have it, just seen them on car SOS refurbing Porche calipers 

Tis a small world

[bigjeepzj]

It is good find
it is an easy job to do you poke the old caliper piston out via the brake pipe hole/fluid inlet.
the tap the new piston in gently and replace seals
there was a tech note on here somewhere
get Staleness steel ones and never change them again
 

[candyman]

Thanks for this. Ill be ringing them on monday. I'd rather deal with people who are recommended from previous dealings by people like yourselves. I also don't do ebay as I feel its full of overpriced crap. I like to talk to people on the phone or face to face. Its all about supporting local buisnesses for me.
I pulled the orginal stuck on apart to find nothing obvious wrong, not even stuck slides! The zj didn't move for about 18mths when I got it. I stripped all the calipers off to check them all where ok or so I thought. It was only when I drove it some distance that it started to stick. Lucky it was snowing so it was used to cool down to keep drving! 
Am I right in assuming that xj and zj repair kits are the same?
 Once brakes sorted then its save pennies for lift kit, then bumpers and winch.  Time to show that 90's are overpriced glorifyed tractors!  There's nobody over here offroading a zj, a mate has a std xj which has already pissed off the landy's.

[bigjeepzj]

XJ ZJ TJ there all the same
you can't normally tell if there is anything wrong with the pistons
they stick when hot
ZJ rock

[Dave69]

the Bakelite pistons warp slightly but enough to seize when the calliper gets hot through normal use.

if pocket allows swap for stainless, or just replace the seals and piston with original.

replacing the seals either works first time or its a pain in the arse to do

[candyman]

I would defiantly want to fit ss versions, do it once and forget about it. Does biggred do these? Ill suppose ill find out on Monday!

[candyman]

Eventually got the stuff from biggred. Bit of a mixup as they sent 2 steel ones and 2 bakalight ones but got it sorted. Someone got the last 2 steel ones between the order being taken and then shipped but they sorted it.  Now I have brakes that work prefectly. Used it last weekend marshalling an rtv and punch hunt. Only got bogged in the once, std road tyres at 30psi didn't help, but still got it out under its own steam! Tyres and lift next.
Big thanks again to birty's for all the advice.
P.s. Can't find how the guru works, maybe an irish moment?