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View Full Version : finally a solution to leaky rear calipers???



bhill81
08-07-2006, 08:11 PM
Not sure if any other MK1 owners have had this problem but my rear calipers have given me nothing but greif from the day I purchased the car back in '94.
Every year or 2 I'd notice the brake fluid was low and an obvious leak at one or both of the rear calipers. I've done a search on this site before about this but nothing came up.

My solution has been to purchase rebuilt calipers from crappy tire and it would work for a while, but enivitably, the problem would resurface.

I guess I finally woke up to the fact that I needed a better solution and looked into a rebuilt kit from Toyota. To my surprise, one is still available - sourced it from japan.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/bhill81/IM002327.jpg
contents of rebuild kit

the kit part number is 04479-14051 and contains all that is needed to rebuild the caliper.
Esp. important are the o-ring and plastic ring that are on the parking brake "screw" (for lack of a better term) that is located behind the cylinder.

I've detemined that the calipers usually leak at this spot - you'll see the fluid stain on the boot that covers the parking brake essembly portion of the caliper and a puddle underneath the caliper develop over a long storage.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/bhill81/IM002333.jpg

Here is a close up of that screw - you'll see the gaskets and (this is where this caliper is quite unique in my opinion) 7 rounded washers that act as a spring when placed back to back and actually compress when you apply the emerg brake. this, in turn, allows the 'screw' to push the piston and engage the brake.

I figure that these 2 gaskets located on the screw have been the culprit all along and I hope that this problem is now fixed (hasn't leaked yet - been about a week).

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/bhill81/IM002328.jpg

Just a note on re-essembly, you'll need to compress those washers to put the key, spring and actuator back in place (see picture above) - I used 2 screw drivers and an assistant to put weight on these washers as we eased the key and actuator back together. Hope this info helps anyone who may be experiencing the same problem.

brian

Josh=MK1
08-08-2006, 12:27 AM
Good Job Brian,
I have never had any problem with the back calipers on any of my Supra's, although I have had a bit of grief with the front's, I have had to replace two of them from different cars.
Glad you got them fixed up! Hey Brian do you currently have your MK1 on the road? Or are you fixing her up first?
I am driving mine, but I currently have the rear interior out as for I discovered two extreamly large rust holes in the wheel wells. I have the holes cleaned out, rust stoped and undercoated, just trying to find the time to patch them back up. (it's a little windy and noisy plus I get the odd little pebble bouncing around, not to mention I need to keep the sunroof open on longer trips, don't want to pass out! LOL).
BTW you should have a look at this location, my previous Supra had the exact rust holes, I believe it is a weak location on all of these cars. (right above the spring mount going up and outward on the inside of the wheelwell, there appears to be a squarish metal plate spot-welded there).
Cheers.

Dangerous Ken
08-08-2006, 12:54 AM
Hmm, mine's leaking too.
Can you confirm that part number in the pic?

I'll see what kind of luck I have in the USA.

Ken

bhill81
08-08-2006, 09:23 AM
Ken - part number 04479-14051 "cylinder Kit" checked against the kit bag and invoice. If your's are leaking, I'd give this a go first - $66.00 cdn - kit covers both sides.

Josh, currently the taupe torpedo is not on the road - I hope by next season. I had the identical rust holes - discovered them in 2000 and had a welder stitch in some metal - they cleaned up well.

here's my next project - lower cross member. It's never been in good shape that I can remember - in fact it was the only thing that held up certification when I first bought it. That weld patch job has long since deteriorated.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/bhill81/100_2431.jpg



bh

CJSREDPRA
08-08-2006, 05:27 PM
Wow....

Wish I had had looked at the X-Member on Ken's parts car that we were dismantling... Ah well.

Speaking of which...... Finally got the box sent off that has the seat skins, the light lens for the trunk light, & the mudflaps. Delivery Confirmation is not available with USPS Parcel Post Ground, so hopefully the box won't get lost. The Post Office said that PP Ground to "wherever" takes 4 - 6 weeks, "hopefully" it's going to take less time than this (maybe 2 weeks?). LMK when it finally arrives.

bhill81
08-08-2006, 09:18 PM
thanks Chris -
no problem about that x-member, i picked up a replacement a while back. it's in A1 shape. just need to swap it out sometime. The x-member cost $13.99 from the wrecker - I paid $225 back in 1994 to have a couple holes patched by welder - live and learn I guess...

picture and description of that job to come...

bh

Josh=MK1
08-08-2006, 11:52 PM
Oh but our Canadian winters (road salt) are hard on these old girls. I am going to have a look at my cross member but did not notice anything that bad.
As for your shipment, don't be surprised if it is held up for a good 5~7 day's in customs. I got a manual for my MPV through Ebay and it took 21 day's due to the border.

Suprafanatic
08-26-2006, 12:38 AM
........I believe it is a weak location on all of these cars. (right above the spring mount going up and outward on the inside of the wheelwell, there appears to be a squarish metal plate spot-welded there).
Cheers.

Josh,
It looks as though Toyota anticiapted the rust forming there and added more metal. It must be a point of fatigue. Even my car is bad on one side only, and doesn't get into the wheel well because of that plate.

Brian, You, Josh and I should have a MKI meet sometime, along with the chap from Barrie.....

Josh=MK1
08-26-2006, 12:41 PM
Sounds good to me! I just need to put the girl back together and tune her up a bit. I still don't have overdrive. :-(

bhill81
08-27-2006, 09:13 PM
Phil - sounds like a great idea - hopefully I can get her on the road soon.

bh

Suprafanatic
08-27-2006, 11:35 PM
Here is a great source for inexpensive parts - the caliper, without pads is only $32 - well worth not messing around with a rebuild IMO. Mind you, that's plus core, so you might find just as good a deal at a local jobber wher it's more convenient to return the core than ship it....

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1431719,parttype,1704,partGroup,14