230SL Girling to ATE Conversion Decision

[Tomnistuff]

I've read everything that I could find by searching Girling and ATE, and have come to the decision to convert my 230SL to ATE front brakes.  That said, I am also sufficiently insecure that I decided to ask if I'm making the right decision.

My car sat for 5 years and the one Girling caliper that I disassembled was a b----h to get the pistons out of.  They are rusty and the calipers themselves appear to have a combination of grease and rust as a coating.  The rubber seals turned to powder during disassembly.  I found rebuild kits for the Girlings, but if I do that, I'm left with a rebuilt Girling that still looks awful.  Based on lots and lots of comments here and elsewhere, I don't want to take a chance on White Post, and Karps is just too far away.  Most of my money would be spent for shipping.

I think I'll just buy new (rebuilt) ATE calipers for the front and new (rebuilt) cylinders for the rear, along with rebuilt pads and shoes, and new hardware, hoses and lines.  All of this stuff is still available and pretty inexpensive.

Am I making the right decision?  Opinions please!

Tom Kizer

[George Des]

I changed my Girlings out about 20 years ago and have not looked back. I'm sure they can be rebuilt is the cylinders and pistons are not scored or rusted, but why take a chance when the ATEs are readily available and not that expensive.

George

[IXLR8]

I agree. Check Rockauto for prices. They are very competitive.


the other Joe

[Tomnistuff]

Thanks, George and The Other Joe.  Rock Auto is where I`ve been looking.  Since they take Canadian money and include customs in their prices, they are convenient for me.
Thanks for the support of my decision.  I hate working on greasy, rusty parts for $0.10 per hour.
Tom Kizer

[clembeauch63712]

I have done my car last year with Rock Auto. com... I have bought many parts from them for all my casrs . Brake rear wheel cyls. all new hoses - make sure you get the right  rear hoses as they are different.. As i recall 1 is a female on both ends. rear wheel cyls were about 50. american dollars each.. and they have front calipers - rebuilt as well.. I had the parts in 2-3 days.. I have also all new rubber seals from them made by URO and they were perfect fit.. regards, Clem

[Tomnistuff]

Wow, did I make a mistake!  I was looking at the wrong column in Rock Auto`s parts prices.  They have beautiful rebuilt Girlings calipers and Girling pads for the about same price as ATEs, once you consider that I have cores for Girlings and no cores for ATEs.

I`ll stay with the Girlings, since they are as built.  I can always switch to ATEs if ever I can`t get parts for the Girlings.

At least it`s nice to know the swap is always available.

Tom Kizer