B£ Brake caliper refurb

sciteacher · 29-11-16, 08:31 PM

1. I've nearly got the caliper carrier bracket retaining bolt of the front of the B3 (just one left

) Once they are all out, I suppose that my best bet would be stainless bolts. Can anyone suggest where I could get them from.

2. The calipers might be a bit seized (she's stood for a couple of years) so I wonder whether to do a self refurb with kits from, say Bigg Redd, or whether to get them done by someone like Bigg Redd (admittedly at a higher cost).

Has anyone got any help/opinions on these bits?

sinbin5t · 29-11-16, 08:43 PM

If you are capable of doing the job yourself then go for it and put the saved money to something else

Put photo's on if poss as i have this to do sometime in the new year, and a description of what you do would be great as well.

Will watch what happens and hope it all goes well for you.

Andy10v · 29-11-16, 08:52 PM

I would not use stainless brake caliper mounting bolts, they should be 10.9 IIRC.

Depends on your tools, skills, condition of the calipers and if you want to deal with it. Are the pistons definitely seized? If may be they may just need the calliper carrier slides scraped clean, guide pins cleaned and lubed.

If the calipers are seized it might be worth checking the price of buying a refurbished caliper compared to getting yours refurbished.

If you DIY refurb the calipers and dont have an air compressor then get the piston most of the way out on the car before you remove the caliper.

Hanuman · 29-11-16, 08:56 PM

I wouldn't buy stainless bolts- you might not be fitting sufficiently strong items. If the existing bolts are that bad, which is often unlikely, just replace with the standard parts from audi/Pete Reeve/just about anywhere. They've lasted several decades so far.

have a look through-
http://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/
for the part number

Find the right car, part number.

As for getting old bolts out, there is a tendency for the slightly exposed thread (where it passes through the mounting face) to get a decent bit of rust on it if it's never been released. What I find helps is to remove everything around it, like discs, calliper, etc, get in with a wire brush, and clean it up as best you can. Undo the bolt slightly, ½ to 1 turn, tighten again lightly. Then another clean up, squirt of penetrating oil, and come back after a cup of tea.

Doh! Too slow typing.

As for the callipers- I'd squeeze the pistons home, and partially push them out with brake pedal pressure, several times, against a block of wood held in the calliper. if they move freely, don't get excited. You could put a new dust seal on.
With all of the Black-friday/stick-it-to-em-monday stuff, Bigg red are offering discounts. So if it came to it, you might get a good deal.

sciteacher · 29-11-16, 09:04 PM

I would refer my learned friends to my other post about the forum.. I said you lot were good! I'm going to get to grips with this using standard bolt, I think, once I have the last one out. The carrier has rotated around the last bolt , so with a bit more northern persuasion, should allow the disc off. Then I'll take MSH's advice and keep you posted. Thank you gentlemen!

Jake Blight · 29-11-16, 11:21 PM

Gotta' love them as what knows stuff on this forum.. I'd be lost without them.

29-11-16, 08:52 PM	#3
Andy10v Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stirling Posts: 861	I would not use stainless brake caliper mounting bolts, they should be 10.9 IIRC. Depends on your tools, skills, condition of the calipers and if you want to deal with it. Are the pistons definitely seized? If may be they may just need the calliper carrier slides scraped clean, guide pins cleaned and lubed. If the calipers are seized it might be worth checking the price of buying a refurbished caliper compared to getting yours refurbished. If you DIY refurb the calipers and dont have an air compressor then get the piston most of the way out on the car before you remove the caliper. __________________ 2005 350z GT Sold-1992 3B S2 coupe-RS2+, 996s, konis, forged rods, rear torsen.... Sold-1993 ABY coupe

29-11-16, 08:56 PM	#4
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	I wouldn't buy stainless bolts- you might not be fitting sufficiently strong items. If the existing bolts are that bad, which is often unlikely, just replace with the standard parts from audi/Pete Reeve/just about anywhere. They've lasted several decades so far. have a look through- http://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/ for the part number Find the right car, part number. As for getting old bolts out, there is a tendency for the slightly exposed thread (where it passes through the mounting face) to get a decent bit of rust on it if it's never been released. What I find helps is to remove everything around it, like discs, calliper, etc, get in with a wire brush, and clean it up as best you can. Undo the bolt slightly, ½ to 1 turn, tighten again lightly. Then another clean up, squirt of penetrating oil, and come back after a cup of tea. Doh! Too slow typing. As for the callipers- I'd squeeze the pistons home, and partially push them out with brake pedal pressure, several times, against a block of wood held in the calliper. if they move freely, don't get excited. You could put a new dust seal on. With all of the Black-friday/stick-it-to-em-monday stuff, Bigg red are offering discounts. So if it came to it, you might get a good deal. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor Last edited by Hanuman; 29-11-16 at 09:01 PM.

29-11-16, 08:43 PM	#2
sinbin5t 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Where a spike points skywards Posts: 12,960	If you are capable of doing the job yourself then go for it and put the saved money to something else Put photo's on if poss as i have this to do sometime in the new year, and a description of what you do would be great as well. Will watch what happens and hope it all goes well for you.

29-11-16, 09:04 PM	#5
sciteacher Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 79	I would refer my learned friends to my other post about the forum.. I said you lot were good! I'm going to get to grips with this using standard bolt, I think, once I have the last one out. The carrier has rotated around the last bolt , so with a bit more northern persuasion, should allow the disc off. Then I'll take MSH's advice and keep you posted. Thank you gentlemen!

29-11-16, 11:21 PM	#6
Jake Blight Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Cornwall, near England Posts: 881	Gotta' love them as what knows stuff on this forum.. I'd be lost without them.