<![CDATA[e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue]]>I am having an issue with one of my front calipers that I am rebuilding.

I cannot get the piston to slide into the bore. I can get it to slide in when I dry fit the parts, install just the seal (no dust boot), or install just the dust boot (no seal). If I install the seal and the dust boot, the piston will not slide into the bore. It seems to be getting hung up on something.

I took the piston off again this morning to see nothing that would cause it to hang up (I have done this more times than I would like to think). There is light corrosion in the rear half of the bore but it doesn't cause any hang-ups during dry fitting.

I am thinking that I should still remove that using 600 grit emery cloth.

My other front caliper went together very easily and so did both of my rears. I am confused as to what is causing the hold-up. Any ideas?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/2585/e36-front-caliper-assembly-issueRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 05:46:23 GMTFri, 18 Apr 2014 11:37:49 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 09 May 2014 07:50:05 GMT]]>Thanks Dustin =P I am just confused as to why only one of the four is being a pain lol

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40710https://wibimmers.com/post/40710Fri, 09 May 2014 07:50:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 09 May 2014 06:52:28 GMT]]>if no one takes car of you txt me and ill get it worked out for you

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40707https://wibimmers.com/post/40707Fri, 09 May 2014 06:52:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Thu, 08 May 2014 23:49:31 GMT]]>Lol Was planning on it=P

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40689https://wibimmers.com/post/40689Thu, 08 May 2014 23:49:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Thu, 08 May 2014 21:42:12 GMT]]>Just bring it with, I'm sure somebody can look at it.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40676https://wibimmers.com/post/40676Thu, 08 May 2014 21:42:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Thu, 08 May 2014 21:30:45 GMT]]>?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40675https://wibimmers.com/post/40675Thu, 08 May 2014 21:30:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Wed, 07 May 2014 17:26:14 GMT]]>Would anyone be interested in looking at this at the e30 picnic this weekend? It would be nice to be done with the calipers

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/40522https://wibimmers.com/post/40522Wed, 07 May 2014 17:26:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:36:15 GMT]]>Still SOL=/

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39392https://wibimmers.com/post/39392Tue, 22 Apr 2014 22:36:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:01:21 GMT]]>So I took scotchbrite and cleaned up the inner bore. I then lubricated everything again and tried to reassemble the caliper. It is still a no go. Now to try the piston in the freezer

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39221https://wibimmers.com/post/39221Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:01:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:29:15 GMT]]>I tried multiple brute force methods and it seemed to lodge the piston without driving it in. haha Anyone want to give a hand at assembling this one? I have been trying not to ruin the powder coat as well.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39202https://wibimmers.com/post/39202Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:29:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:03:10 GMT]]>I would recommend brute force at this point.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39196https://wibimmers.com/post/39196Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:03:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:55:47 GMT]]>I had one that was difficult to assemble as well ... It just took time and influence and it did finally go together.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39194https://wibimmers.com/post/39194Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:55:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:13:58 GMT]]>Caliper assembly lube. It worked excellent on the other three calipers=) I even used a shit ton to see if it would help and that didn't work at all either. 

Edit: I just tried fitting the piston with just the inner seal again. Now that isn't working. It seems like the o-ring won't allow it to pass through. I took it out and set it around the piston to see if it was super tight or what the issue was. The o-ring actually seems to be a good bit larger than the piston (approximately 1/32 gap between the two). Could this be a defective o-ring or could it be swelling from the caliper assembly lube? I am not sure why it may have worked with just the seal before but now it doesn't. I can order another rebuild kit but want to make sure that this o-ring isn't supposed to be like this=)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39191https://wibimmers.com/post/39191Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:13:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to e36 Front Caliper: Assembly Issue on Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:04:49 GMT]]>What are you using to lubricate the seals?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/39189https://wibimmers.com/post/39189Fri, 18 Apr 2014 12:04:49 GMT