DIY Brake Caliper Overhaul Questions/Advice

Wighty

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When I replaced the CLK's rear discs and pads the other week , the pads on one side were a lot more worn than the other , I'm guessing the Pistons might be sticking a bit .
I've not got much time in the next month to do anything , but I've been thinking about buying new pistons and seals to do the job myself . Especially as both cars are 10 years old and maybe they all need doing at some point ?
I know companies like Big Red do an online service for about £50 a caliper apparently but with up to 8 calipers to do I might as well learn myself .
So questions ,
1). Can anyone recommend good online companies or good makers of overhaul kits to buy from ?

2). Is it a case of removing the caliper , stripping down , measuring piston sizes before ordering to guarantee the correct kit or is it just a case of telling the company the make and model (or reg number) to get the correct kit .

3). If I have the calipers all stripped down and cleaned down with wire brushes or rotary wheel thingy's will they need rust proofing and respraying with high temperature paints ?

4) Any other sage advice from anyone that's done the DIY route would be appreciated .
 
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EmilysDad

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I bought a caliper seal kit for my Smart from Mercedes for reasonable money. ;)

Television just used Hamerite Smooth on his cars' calipers though you can buy high temp paint.
 

Pullman

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Just done all four on my R107 .. note the name on the caliper ... measure piston diameter ... check see if calipers will unbolt in two halfs because you will need seals between the joining surfaces...I hammerited mine few years back but this time I used etched primer and high temp ( E- Tech XHT ) silver then their clear varnish ... I think I posted a picture when I done the front subframe ...

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Oldspanners

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If you're pushed for time before your trip and don't want to end up with a wife breathing down your neck as you wait for parts or fixing a problem, I would just "exercise" the pistons in the effected calipers. Just take the pads out and put something in to stop the pistons coming right out and push on the pedal, clean them up and lever them in and out a few times.
 

Pullman

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1981 500SL_1999 500SL_(2002 CL600 sold) 2003 500SL
If you're pushed for time before your trip and don't want to end up with a wife breathing down your neck as you wait for parts or fixing a problem, I would just "exercise" the pistons in the effected calipers. Just take the pads out and put something in to stop the pistons coming right out and push on the pedal, clean them up and lever them in and out a few times.
I had clamps on my hoses so that the system kept lubricated....took a couple of months because I had the subframe off ..


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Mark A

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I used brakeparts for my piston and seal kits. Just put reg# in and then if it lists more than 1 type look at your calliper to confirm which one you have (normally obvious differences).

Some say that you need HT paint but I found that smooth hamerite worked fine for me with no peeling 2 yrs later.

Mark
 

JBell

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I have re-painted my calipers, really easy to do, just clean with brake cleaner, wire brush and sand off then brake cleaner again, I used Halfords Caliper Paint, really easy to do with a 1/2" brush, 4 coats and all sorted, it dries very fast so do it in the sun if poss and will be even faster
 

umblecumbuz

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I am at present sorting front brakes on the MX5 I've just bought, because one brake is grabbing.
I priced up a caliper repair kit, and just out of curiosity I also priced up a new caliper.

The shiny new caliper was only£17 dearer than the kit. Comparing the work involved between refurbishing a caliper and just fitting new, it's a no-brainer.
 

Blobcat

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I am at present sorting front brakes on the MX5 I've just bought, because one brake is grabbing.
I priced up a caliper repair kit, and just out of curiosity I also priced up a new caliper.

The shiny new caliper was only£17 dearer than the kit. Comparing the work involved between refurbishing a caliper and just fitting new, it's a no-brainer.
And you've always got the old caliper :) which you could clean up in slow time (or leave it on the bench for the next millennia...)
 

Mark A

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Normally on the new/refurbished units you also pay a surcharge which you get refunded when you send you old ones in and they are checked over.

M
 

ajlsl600

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try the exercise idea first. put a wood block in the caliper to represent a almost worn to metal pad and use pedal then bar(flat ) a few times if free ,job done, you can carefully push the rubber back away from the piston and blow out any crud , .if you go for a strip down job.i use an airline to pop the pistons out and in real bad cases a grease nipple and grease gun,
 

EmilysDad

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.....i use an airline to pop the pistons out and .....,

I did with the caliper that was going back to Merc just to see what condition it was in. It popped straight out and flew in slow motion & landed on the tankof my motorbike .... :(
 
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Wighty

Wighty

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I did with the caliper that was going back to Merc just to see what condition it was in. It popped straight out and flew in slow motion & landed on the tankof my motorbike .... :(
Jesus buddy :eek: . That won't happen to me , I haven't got an airline and I sold my last motorbike 15 years ago :D
 

onefortheroad

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ive used brakes international before , everything is always a good fit and quality .

https://brakeparts.co.uk/

pretty sure the piston side will always wear quicker than the other , also check the slider pins and carrier run freely. before buying service kits.
 

EmilysDad

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ive used brakes international before , everything is always a good fit and quality .

https://brakeparts.co.uk/

I fell out with them many years ago when the discs I'd bought for my Senator 'warped' within about 3000/4000 miles. Needless to say they blamed me for not fitting them properly. OE discs sorted it. Which is why I only buy OE discs now, especially when they're over a foot in dia & going on a big car.
 

ajlsl600

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I did with the caliper that was going back to Merc just to see what condition it was in. It popped straight out and flew in slow motion & landed on the tankof my motorbike .... :(


sorrio, that would P me off, just gave 1000 euro to replace mine on 1400
 
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Wighty

Wighty

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Finally got the courage up to do the brake refurb myself . Did a bit of youtube research and found a really good description of the job by a guy called "back street mechanic " . He explained what to do well and advised using a footpump with a car tyre valve screwed into the brake caliper as a means of pressurising the piston out .
image.jpeg
This is the piston pushed out to the point it can be removed . The dining room table provided a comfortable work bench .
After getting the piston out and another thorough clean inside , i fitted new inside seal and outer rubber seal with the red rubber grease provided . I could have probably reused the piston but for £10 i fitted a new one .
With care and the right tools , getting the new piston in was fairly straightforward .
image.jpeg
After using wonder wheels cleaner , degreasant , brake cleaner , power drill with wire attachment , angle grinder with wire attachment , wire brushes and screwdrivers as scrapers . A coat of spray paint just to freshen things up and they look like new . Im well pleased .
The parts came from www.brakeparts.co.uk (other companies , but not that many are available )

image.jpeg
 

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Wighty

Wighty

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New slider pins into the carrier with new rubbers and silicone grease .
Total cost £55 ish for seals and pistons
 

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