brake calipers on 1970 280sl

[james_wp]

Hi All,

Well seeing as this is my first post, firstly let me say hello and looking through the resources on this site, the wealth of information has been brilliant and I hope to be able to add my ten pence worth in the future!

I've recently acquired a Nov 1969 built, Jan 1970 registered US 280sl LHD Auto. The car is generally in good condition from being in California however here in the UK it's age and lack of a full restoration are showing their signs. The car is complete, runs well, all the levels are clean and where they are supposed to be however from the immediate issues list before I can get it MOT'd and then registered here in the UK are the brakes.

The rear caliper is leaking, i've had all the wheels off and it's just the RHS rear which appears to be leaking out of the rear caliper. Now i'm not averse to trying to fix it myself however I have a few questions;
If I were to refurb it myself, what steps are involved and where can I source the kits?
This particular caliper looks like one of the star nuts on it has been chewed, suggesting it's been apart before - in two pieces - and I hear that's bad but dont know why..
If I wanted to send them off to be refurbed, does anyone know a source in the UK? I have no problem sending the four to the states if it worked out..?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

James

[DavidBrough]

Hi James,

Not sure about any specialist brake people but someone in the UK may chip in with a suggestion. I would first try Roger Edwards Motors in Amersham 01494 766766 as they may do caliper rebuilds but will certainly have some new/secondhand parts available, they are the recognised UK Pagoda experts. A good source of mail order new parts is SLS in Germany http://www.sls-hh-catalogue.de/start/index.phtml Also, don't ignore MB main dealers as they can get most bits and some are not too expensive. I must admit that I've never dismantled a caliper as they are always very difficult to re seal without the proper equipment and, from what you say, this could well be the cause of your current problem.

[ja17]

Hello James,

Welcome.  The calipers are not normally split apart during a standard rebuild.  There are O-rings between the halves which do not come in new caliper rebuild kits.

Re-built calipers (exchange) are available fairly inexpensively here in the USA. The re-built calipers come back fresh and new looking and are ready to install.  So it is not economical for an individual to rebuild these in most cases. I would review all your options before you take on the job yourself.

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, James,

Try:

http://brakeparts.co.uk/index.php

Naj

[james_wp]

thanks for the info guys, I spoke with Brake Parts Superstore UK today and the guy there seemed fairly knowledgeable about the parts. They do a swap-replacement for £84 but don't have any in, I asked about a rebuild of the one I have but he said it was too expensive - some funny arrangement with the rebuilders (!?)

Anyhow, they also have rebuild kit spares and all the related discs and pads in stock if you are interested;

http://www.brakepartssuperstore.org.uk/contents/en-uk/d14982.html

I think i'm going to either get someone to rebuild this one or buy a swap replacement.. i'll keep you posted!

Thanks again,
James

[james_wp]

I found this company Bigg Red http://www.biggred.co.uk/ and have just taken all of them down to be rebuilt which involves splitting, dipping, electroplating, new seals, gaskets and pistons with new bolts and bleed screws, and then finally pressure testing. He's quoted me £250 for all 4 so i'll post some pics when I get them back in a fortnight.

Getting them off was a b1tch. Ended up using a 6' piece of 4"x2" to lever the spanner either off the ground or the subframe....