Brake Caliper - horror!!!

[German Dude]

Folks,

this is a bit of an emergency call. I was just told that all!!! pistons in my Girling brakes are completely shot. I am not sure how much 6 new pistons are but I get the feeling it's something like 300 Euros. Should I go ahead and get rebuilt ATE calipers for much smaller coin?

In an earlier thread from last year, ja17 told me it is a straightforward swap. I tend to lean into the ATE direction because the parts situation is just so much nicer.

Am I forgetting something? Can I use the brake pads from the Girling brake, which are almost new?

I am leaving the country for a few days tomorrow, and my mechanic is waiting for word from me, so I appreciate your quick responses.

Thanks,

Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

[Naj ✝︎]

Good job you have'nt been booting it at 6K !!!

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[George Davis]

Juergen,

SLS lists a conversion kit from Girling to ATE at 545 Euros.  They also indicate that the dustshield (Schutzbleche) must be replaced at additional cost.  The rebuilt ATE calipers probably cost less than the SLS set, but with the dustshield and extra labor for that, it might be about the same price to rebuild the Girlings?  It looks like they all use the same brake pads.

If it were me, I'd stay with Girling provided all of the pistons are actually available.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by George Davis

If it were me, I'd stay with Girling provided all of the pistons are actually available.

Juergen,
Here in the USA, the Girling pistons are rare.  I ended up having a set made from Stainless Steel at a machine shop.  I gave them mine as a template.  They've worked for 3 years and cost less than shipping new ones from Germany.  I think a set of 6 was going to cost me about $600 or so.  An alternate source is Jaguar dealers, they used the same type Girlings in several cars.

It was recommended to me to swich to ATE, but I have so many original things on my car that I wanted to keep the brakes original as well.  They work fine.  It's time for me to work on the rear drum brakes this year.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Benz Dr.]

Brake pads are different on ATE and Girling - also different on Bendix brakes, or at least the harware is.

  Get a set of ATE and don't look back. Only about 20% of the cars had girling brakes which were also common on the 220SEb Coupes and some sedans from that time period. Those were the small caliper used for 13'' wheels but are otherwise similar.
Since ATE brakes were also standard fare, you aren't messing with originality.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[German Dude]

Thanks all.

New Ate calipers it is.

Benz Dr., I think I read somewhere that the pads are actually the same... If not I have to tell my mechanic to get new pads too.

Thanks,

Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

[Malc]

Juergen,
There is a company in the UK that makes stainless steel pistons for calipers.
They advertise in the Uk magazine "Practical Classics"
HTH
malc

[German Dude]

Let me wrap up this thread: new ATE calipers are in and boy are they ever great. No more squeal and excellent braking results. An investment I feel very very good about.



Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by German Dude

Let me wrap up this thread: new ATE calipers are in and boy are they ever great. No more squeal and excellent braking results. An investment I feel very very good about.



Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

Here's another thing you might find interesting, Juergen.  In 1999, my ATE brake calipers were completely rusted, seized, and were probably only of value in that condition as door-stops or paper-weights.  This is because they were in bad condition--in 1985--and sat unused from 1985 to 1999.  No complex parts issues a la Girling: I took this "mess" of cast iron to a local foreign auto parts store, and for USD $45 each these were made to look and function as if they were brand new.  Less then one week, too.  Hopefully you'll never have to do this, but its nice to know you can if you had to.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored