The pistons I removed with pliers shock/horror I know someone here will be horrified at that but if you take your time it can be done without damaging the piston Other bikes I’ve worked on have had gouges out of them where too much pressure or even mole grips have been used I have in the past used compressed air to remove pistons A few months ago I had a pair of four pot callipers in work doing them for a mate and they were seized solid Got the pistons moving by putting a grease gun on the bleed nipple after opening it slightly and pumping them up until they moved
Thanks for comments and advice re my first post yesterday. Then I was struggling witt fitting OEM heated grips. Today ? Got the better of it and now all done, sorted and working a treat. As said , Triumph on line instructions are good but need reading and reading. Also Important to identify early the the instructions cover’ a number of bikes all if which are subtally different. Referrals to manual are annoying as there apparently isn’t one for later models . Tank removal is instructed but not needed for Thruxton R. Several hr’s but could do it again quite quickly now. That’s what I did , today and had a smile at your ‘dealer reference .
There’s many many ways to get them out Compressed air or internal grips are great if you’ve access to them But they don’t always work
I tried a pliers, only I am to heavy handed,the grease guns clever. I have a small bolt, I tighten a nut onto, then slip on a ring spanner. I put this inside the piston then slacken the nut until it pushes against the sides of the piston then pull using the ring spanner,
I bought internal grips and they didnt work for me, best is using the brake systm to push then out if you have enough slack ones
I must be honest mate but I don't understand why you didn't use the bike's hydraulic system to push out the pistons. Remove the pads from both calipers, then using the brake lever just push them out. No pliers/grips or anything else.
Fine with a single piston calliper, unlikely to work with twin or triple piston set up once pressure lost that's it
You just hold the two pistons equal in both calipers, a charming assistant does the pumping until they are all ready to plop out.
If you remove the pads and push the pistons all out to the max, by blocking the easily moved ones until they are all at max. They will pop out easily,all of them.
Been watching it just sit in the garage since temps outside are hovering just under freezing. I hate winter. My threshold for riding is around 40 degrees f, won’t see that for a bit.
TBH it could be argued that if you are renewing pistons, as long as you do not damage calliper bores, it doesn't really matter how you remove pistons coz you are throwing away anyway
Replace them with stainless or Ti versions...... problem solved. SS about a £10, Ti £20 Last resort replacing the pistons, take them out carefully & recondition...... Jeez have you seen the price of them £££££'s