I went mudding with my friends the other day and was swamped in soupy mud to the headlights... the mud was very rocky and somehow the rocks broke the pin that holds the pads in place. It then made a pad drop and the piston push against the disk. There is now brake fluid pushing around the piston and getting everywhere. Has anyone ver had this happen... would the piston be ok if i threw in a cotter pin and new pads?

 

sorry no but sounds like you have some money to spend lol

 

Sounds like the rock that broke the pin ruptures the rubber seal on the piston. You got lucky in that I have seems some rocks catch on the caliper and break it as well as the axle!

They do not make a rebuild kit that I am aware of so you will more than likely need a new caliper and brake pads.

SJ

 

just for future info... ther caliper was saved but i squeezed the piston back in and used a cotter pin in a pinch instead of the regular pin. Between that and the new brake pads i am back up and running.

 

You said you had brake fluid pushing around the piston. Did you get any air into your system? If so you may need to bleed them (they would feel spongy) if not you may need to add fluid if you have not already. (I beleive it is DOT 4)

I currently have at least 2 nails on my brakes in place of that cotter in and pin you mention. I could not tell you the size of the nail but I cut about 3/4 inch off the sharp end, slip it through and bend it back into a loop. My machines are old enough that the cooer pin rusts off and the larger pin that supports the pads just falls off. The pins are like $4 and nails are cheaper and work fine.

Glad to hear you got it up and running.

SJ