I need some front brake caliper help

[xmission 9]

I ordered a set of calipers for my 91 esprit from our local autozone store. I got a left and right for a 1984 Toyota Celica.

There are slight differences though, most noticeably that the brake line connector comes in at a different angle. I'd have to bend or replace the brake line to make it work.

I think they will bolt up fine physically, except for the brake line issue.

Have you guys had this happen, or does it just sound like they are wrong?

[lotus-62 57]

my '85 esprit has the celica calipers as well, they are 57mm in diameter, as long as the bleed niple is on top, why not?

 

[xmission 9]

Thanks very much.

That pic of the front of the Europa in your avatar looks awesome btw.

[lotus-62 57]

On 05/11/2020 at 19:57, xmission said:

Thanks very much.

That pic of the front of the Europa in your avatar looks awesome btw.

thanks, it is my banks europa r62 (a cross between an europa s2 and a type 62) 

 

did you get along with the calipers? if I remember correctly they have a small fixed brake line and a bracket

[xmission 9]

I wound up with the wrong calipers the first time around.

I was able to find pics of what they were selling at one of the bigger parts stores online, and was able to match the casting number on the caliper, and was got the correct ones the second time around.

My Esprit is waiting for spring now. Essentially ready to drive.

I am mulling over that electric power steering mod though...

[Buddsy 1,643]

On 05/11/2020 at 18:54, lotus-62 said:

my '85 esprit has the celica calipers as well, they are 57mm in diameter, as long as the bleed niple is on top, why not?

 

Ive just been refurbishing mine.

I wanted to get some new stainless steel pistons as my old ones had corroded a bit and caused a sticking brake.

I couldnt find anyone selling them. Sillilar ones not non that would suit. So Ive just machined a pair up.

 

 

buddsy

[lotus-62 57]

Buddsy, I've never seen the stainless ones for the toyota calipers!  I went for the nissan calipers/peugeot disc setup (I needed new discs and an overhaul on the calipers anyway)   

I would love to know how you did the outside diameter on the pistons as I need 1 new piston for my spitfire that has the blmc princess setup, I have a mill and a lathe but just wondering on the tolerance and surface roughness. 

rick

 

[Buddsy 1,643]

36 minutes ago, lotus-62 said:

I would love to know how you did the outside diameter on the pistons as I need 1 new piston for my spitfire that has the blmc princess setup, I have a mill and a lathe but just wondering on the tolerance and surface

Hi Rick

I have a cylindrical grinder and when I started out in engineering we often would turn parts and leave material on for grinding. Ive got a pretty decent cnc lathe which I can hit tolerances I couldn't achieve as consistently on my old Colchester Lathes. Surface finish too is very fine. We still grind some items but not very often these days.

I aimed at making my piston 0.01mm bigger than my existing to allow to polish the surface. Used a bit of P600 then P1000 then a bit of the old scotch bright. When thinking about what size to make the new pistons although I didnt want them loose I didnt want them tight either as last thing I wanted was the piston to become tight once it has some heat into it although the piston and iron caliper should be about the same temp and expand roughly the same. After some polishing the piston finished +0.0025

In the caliper it feels a little loose if anything but since my old ones weren't leaking Im hopeful these will be fine once the new seal kit is fitted.

 

buddsy

 

[lotus-62 57]

oeps we are hijacking.....  I have been thinking about a ad-on for the lathe to be able to grind down parts. something to think about this winter. 

thanks for the explanation! 

rick

[Buddsy 1,643]

23 minutes ago, lotus-62 said:

I have been thinking about a ad-on for the lathe to be able to grind down parts. something to think about this winter. 

I have seen dremmals/air die grinders  used in lathe tool posts to internally grind bores. 

 

buddsy

 

[xmission 9]

Now you guys have me thinking about adding a dremel to my lathe

[lotus-62 57]

20 hours ago, Buddsy said:

I have seen dremmals/air die grinders  used in lathe tool posts to internally grind bores. 

 

buddsy

 

I've been thinking about something bigger with a normal grinding stone as the dremmel stones wear very quickly, I have some 100mm stones to play with. maybe a cheap 115mm angle grinder with a solid bracket to connect to the tool post will do.  but for holes a dremmel is a good way to do it.

sometimes making tools is more fun than working on the lotus lol.  ( I made my own lathe and mill, had so much fun doing this) 

 

rick

[Buddsy 1,643]

A few pics as we all like pics 🙂

 

 

And the old grinder on which Ive done a fair few bits for Classic Team Lotus. Grinding hubs etc.

 

 

buddsy

 

[giorgio67 185]

Great machine Buddsy! It's great machining some parts so I have just bought this...🤣

Can't wait to work with it

G.

 

[xmission 9]

Nice looking machine.

 

 

[Buddsy 1,643]

3 hours ago, giorgio67 said:

 It's great machining some parts so I have just bought this...🤣

Spent many hours working on Bridgeports. I sold an old one and bought my Esprit with the money.

Yours has a power cross slide.

Very versatile machine. You can get a slotting head for the rear which spins round and a 6" riser block.

Some of the digital readouts have come down in price and are a good addition.

 

buddsy

[lotus-62 57]

On 28/12/2020 at 20:16, xmission said:

.I am mulling over that electric power steering mod though...

me too, 

[jonwat 435]

23 hours ago, lotus-62 said:

me too, 

Having owned 2 S3s & a Stevens' Turbo my final Esprit was an S4s so I can tell you power steering totally transforms the car & is definitely worth fitting  

[lotus-62 57]

4 minutes ago, jonwat said:

Having owned 2 S3s & a Stevens' Turbo my final Esprit was an S4s so I can tell you power steering totally transforms the car & is definitely worth fitting  

my '85 s3 is in pieces right now, I've installed an corsa D colum/motor.  it's just for slow speed (first/reverse) so I'll make an on/off swith on the first and revers gear stick position.