Front Brake Caliper Removal 107

[sprout]

Hi

Have an '82 280SL/107 with front brake binding on.

To fix requires the removal and cleaning up/servicing of the caliper/piston housing etc. Is this something that can be done by a 'layman' with the right amount of spanners and time, or is it the type of thing best left to the local garage?

Any advice/tips appreciated as my preference would be to get 'down and dirty' and fix it myself...

Thanks in advance

Sprout

 

[Xtractorfan]

I wouldnt recommend that you fiddle about with the brakes if you arent completely competent with the workings and fittings therein.. better to find a good indie and let him look at them for you,

 

[Myros]

it can be done, I've just done it on mine

You'll need a torque wrench or breaker bar, 19mm socket or big open ender or ring spanner, 7mm,9mm,11mm open-ended spanners biggish glass jar and an easi-bleed and 2 litres of Dot 4 brake fluid and/or compliant wife or mate or kids to do the brake pedal pumping when refitting and bleeding. the seal kit from merc will cost you £46 + vat if i recall correctly. You will also need some piston/seal assembly paste, some cera-tec grease, trolley-jack, axle stands, inspection lamps and a bit of heft to shift the hopefully securely tightened retaining bolts. You may need a new fitting kit as well, if yours has been on for any lenght of time. also a tyre compressor, g clamps and assorted bits of wood, dental mirror, and possibly one of those dental probes.
The job for the front will take you about 4 hours, both sides, if you don't rush and are reasonably competent and everything comes off as supposed to. Get yourself a head start by giving the retaining bolts a good squirt with plus gas or similar now so that they start loosening up.
Let me know if you need a blow by blow as I am still fresh on this one. If you haven't done this sort of thing before, I'd suggest this is not good car to learn on.