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WJ disc swappers - Akebono caliper questions

anthrax323

NAXJA Forum User
Location
San Antonio, TX
Just out of curiosity - are all WJ calipers made with phenolic (plastic/composite/whatever) pistons, or are there steel ones available?

I ask because I absolutely hate phenolic pistons. I've chunked my XJ front caliper pistons a few times with channel locks when doing brake jobs, but fortunately they still seal perfectly. Seems like all the Napa Akebono remans use phenolic pistons, which kinda sucks.

I haven't yet gotten a chance to look at a true OEM WJ caliper so I'm not even sure they ever made them with steel pistons. Worst-case scenario I'll buy some remans (or hit the junk yard), track down some steel pistons and just rebuild them myself.
 
Cstop using channel locks and start using a c clamp. I like to toss an old pad to press on in there so I dont damge the piston too.
 
^ What he said... be sure to catch any brake fluid that might come out of master cylinder when you push back caliper pistons. If brake fluid was added with thin /old pads then it will probably overflow and just make a mess... I keep a turkey blaster in garage to suck up fluids from master cylinder, power steering pump. I usually pull out and refresh with new every oil change.
 
You don't want to use channel locks on WJ calipers anyway because there are 2 pistons. With the calipers hooked up you'll be pushing one while the other comes out :)

Unless you're Shiva and you have 2 pairs of channel locks.
 
All valid and fair arguments - but can't a man just have a preference for steel pistons? :)

I guess I should ask this: did any of the Akebonos have steel pistons, or are they all phenolic?
 
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