aluminium pistons?

thamesroverp6

thamesroverp6

Member
Hi there, would someone have some experience or knowledge (or opinions) on the following please, A friend has offered to turn, on his lathe, some pistons from alumium block , to replace the rusty pitted ones in my 3 pot calipers. Would alumium be ok to use? I know i can get new steel ones , but trying to keep costs down,due to seperation, i got my kids and my v8 rover tho!
Id be keen if someone had a cheap set to purchase second hand in good nic tho
Thanks Karl, Thames, New Zealand
 
I'm not sure aluminium would be hard enough for the repeated forces applied by a brake. To be honest it's not something I'd be keen on experimenting with either - if they fail you've got no brakes!

See if your mate could get hold of some steel or stainless steel to machine them from.
 
Hi Karl,

Apart from the very real possibilty of suffering from fatigue failure as Paul mentioned, there is also the issue with expansion. Aluminium alloy and cast iron, the latter from which the caliper is made, have very different rates of expansion. The former will expand far more for a given increase increase in temperature. Therefore given the close tolerance between the piston and the bore, it is possible that the pistons could seize, either preventing your brakes from coming off or worse.. :shock:

For safety sake, best to stay with steel.

Ron.
 
Yes Karl, I would agree with the comments so far, ie not to deviate from manufacturers parts with the braking system, either steel or stainless steel if you can from a reputable brake part supplier/recontitioner. I found these prices here in Oz, I don't know how they compare to your prices??

BRAKE CALIPER PISTON - ROVER 3500 (P6B)(FRONT)(LARGE)
Price: $33.00 ex. 10% GST
$36.30 inc. 10% GST

BRAKE CALIPER PISTON - ROVER 3500 (P6B)(FRONT)(SMALL)
Price: $22.00 ex. 10% GST
$24.20 inc. 10% GST

BRAKE CALIPER KIT - ROVER 3500 (P6B)(FRONT)
Price: $34.90 ex. 10% GST
$38.39 inc. 10% GST

from;
http://www.roverparts.com.au
ROVERPARTS PTY. LTD.
191 Cherry Flat Road,
Bonshaw,Ballarat,Victoria 3352
Phone: 1300 760 125 or (03)5342 0111
Fax: (03) 5342 0104

OR;

Front calliper kit (3500) $31.00 each

from;
http://www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au/

Shop: 12 Haughton Rd, Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia
Postal Address: P.O. Box 105, Mount Waverley 3149, Victoria, Australia
Phone and Fax Within Australia: (03) 9563 3023, International: + 61 - 3 - 9563 3023

Regards,
Scott (no interest with above company's)
 
I make stainles steel by myself , the brakes working good and no leakkage , i prefer stainless for aluminium .
 
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