Front Brake Upgrade

[jeffc280sl]

Need new rotors on the front of my car so I've decided to go ahead and install vented rotors and calipers from a V-8 280SE/SEL.  Having trouble finding a less expensive rebuilt caliper for the right side.  Left side can be purchased for $63.00.  Anyone no where I can find rebuilt calipers for a V-8 W108?

Thanks

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[ja17]

Hello Jeff,

I have dealt with these people in the past. They have thousands of rebuilt calipers in stock that looked  new and performed well.

                                        Kaliper King, located at
                                       3463 E. Fulton St. Columbus, Ohio USA 43227
                                        Or, feel free to call us at (614) 239-8288
                          Our business hours are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm
                                Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. We are open on most holidays!
 
                  Have a question or comment? Feel free to send email to Kaliper King
                  Please allow 24 hours for a reply.
 


Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks so much Joe!


Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[jeffc280sl]

The telephone number does not work.  Any other ideas?

Thanks

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[jeffc280sl]

Rotors arrived yesterday.  Quite a bit wider than the 280SL rotor.  The venting is accomplished within the rotor itself versus drilling or slotting.  It looks more like a standard rotor of today.  Still looking for calipers if anyone can help.

Thanks

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Lax882@aol.com

The telephone number does not work.  Any other ideas?

Thanks

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

Searching two on-line phone book systems, I could not find them.

Searching the web, I found the same info as Joe.  I did also find an e-mail address.  Allow 24 hours for reply.

caliper@usa.net

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

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Rodd,

I did the same thing.  Sent them an email on the 24th.  No response as yet.  Any other suppliers of remanufactured calipers out there?

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[norton]

I ordered new from this place http://www.sasponline.com/content.wws?fname=index.htm

[jeffc280sl]

thanks Norton,

For some reason they only had the left side available as a remanufactured caliper.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[jeffc280sl]

Hi Group,

Ended up buying the 280SEL V-8 front calipers from www.rockauto.com.  Discovered that there are at least two companies that specialize in remanufactured calipers for our cars.  The companies are Automotive Caliper Exchange and Cardone.  I was able to find the ones I needed at Rockauto.  BTW remanufactured 280SL calipers go for $33 plus $15 core charge each.  The 280SEL ones were a little more expensive and the core charge was higher.  I'll let everyone know what the look like when I get them.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[rwmastel]

Jeff,
Will our wheels (standard steel w/ caps or optional aluminum bundt cake) fit over these larger calipers?  Do you have upgraded wheels?

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

[jeffc280sl]

Hi Rodd,

I've not put the new rotor on as yet.  Waiting on the caliper.  I'm told it is a straight bolt on job with no other changes.  I'll let the group know as I move forward if there are any problems.  The old rotor is 7/18 in diameter.  The new is 3/4 in and it's vented.  Should make for cooler better braking for about $100 per side not including core charge and pads.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[waqas]

Reviving this topic as I'm having to face the caliper "rebuild or upgrade" question. I have Girling calipers, and I'm having a hell of a time finding a cheap rebuilding option (and companies are not accepting my Girlings as a core exchange for ATEs). Cheapest ATE set I've found are $500/pair. I'm now considering upgrading to vented rotors/calipers from a sedan, as Jeff has done, as it may offer the cheapest option (perhaps even improving breaking performance).

So my questions:
(1) Are sedan rotors/calipers truly bolt-on upgrades for our pagodas? (mine is 230sl)
(2) Does it allow our steel wheels to fit/run properly?
(3) Can our suspensions handle the extra forces?

Thanks in advance.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[jeffc280sl]

The new rotors, pads and rebuilt ATE calipers are working great.  The only mod required on the 280SL was to slightly flatten the rain/dirt guard plate.  The new rotors were wider and needed the extra space.  I would imagine that the sedan plate would bolt right on.  I don't believe there are any additional forces in effect here.  If I recall the pads were the same size as provided in the factory setup.  Therefore brake surface area is the same.  The main benefit is cooler rotors which improve braking some and extend pad life.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[ja17]

Hello Waqas,
The front suspensions of the sedans and W113 is exactly the same except for the coil springs. So the suspesion will take the extra braking forces with no problem. Your original wheels will fit and work fine. The V8 wheels had a lot of additional cooling holes for air flow but not a real issue.  Any W108 sedan will have the same exact brake calipers and discs as the ATE equipped W113 cars. So this would be an upgrade for the early 230SL with the Girling calipers. The  V-8 W108 sedans, as discussed, would have the vented discs and wider calipers and can be installed on any W113.



Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio