How much rust is too much?

[LanceM]

My 240 has been setting for 14 years, it had new brakes when it was put away. I've taken off the calipers and have popped the pucks out after a little work. They were pretty much fully compressed when on the car but rusted to the caliper a bit in front of the inner o-ring. No rust in the body or on the puck other than the outer 1/8".

My question is after cleaning should these be OK to rebuild? I'd rather rebuild these than buy rebuilts. I've had bad experiances buying rebuilt parts for old cars, you just never know how many times they were rebuilt, and I can't afford new at this time.

I'm figuring that since the rust is in front of the inner O-ring this won't affect anything once it's cleaned up. Am I right or greatly mistaken???

Lance

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by LanceM

..................I'm figuring that since the rust is in front of the inner O-ring this won't affect anything once it's cleaned up. Am I right or greatly mistaken???

Well, keep in mind that as the brake pads wear, the seal is going to move to make up for the material that has worn off the brake pad. This may move the seal into the area that is rusted if I'm understanding your description of the location of the rust. If it does, that may cause a problem when/if it happens.

[LanceM]

Right, but the rust is the other way around, or should I say at the other end, the exposed end. Fully compressed I don't think the rust will touch the o-ring, the puck is like new from 1/8" in from the outside to the inside. Batteries are dead in the camera or I'd take a picture.

Anyway I don't believe that rust will touch the inner O-ring from fully compressed to fully extended, if it does touch fully compressed it will only be during installation as the puck should move out enough after first use to be past it.

Another question, are these rebuild parts available at the dealer or is there another source? I've been out of needing Datsun parts for 14 years I ordered a MSA catalog last week but they still haven't charged my card, are they usually slow on getting catalogs out??

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by LanceM

Another question, are these rebuild parts available at the dealer or is there another source? I've been out of needing Datsun parts for 14 years I ordered a MSA catalog last week but they still haven't charged my card, are they usually slow on getting catalogs out??

If the rust is only on the outer edge of the caliper piston (not sure what you mean by "puck") it is normal and will not be a problem.

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Only a few dealers carry ANY parts for 240/260/280Z's. Courtesy Nissan in Richardson, TX being the largest and best known. Not sure if they have rebuilt calipers available. Discount IS available for Z Club members!

http://www.courtesy-nissan.com/

MSA can be slow in getting out catalogs. Post office is ALWAYS slow in delivering them. I just ordered a complete clutch set from MSA on Thurs, it arrived on Sat. w/o special shipping charges. Discount IS available for Z Club members!

http://www.zcarparts.com/

Victoria British also sells Z parts, but their customer service is not very good and shipping has been slower than MSA in my experiences with them. Their catalog took a month to get to me. No discount available.

http://www.victoriabritish.com/

[LanceM]

Did some looking on line and have found rebuild kits and pistons (pucks ), new pistons are only $6 a piece so I won't even bother messing with the old ones.

I find it interesting that a rebuilt caliper is about $26, a new piston is $6 and the rebuild kit is $4 for 2, pin kit is $6. I can rebuild both of mine for what one would cost and have beer money left over!

Thanks for your replys guys!