rebuild front calipers

[Vince Canepa]

Sun Valley is a dismantler that has expanded into parts.  In this thread they have become sort of "anointed" as "the" source for calipers.  So I searched for the rears for my 250SL.  A left would be $336.24.  A right is listed as "call for quote".  Their seal kits are aftermarket (LUCAS).  I personally had terrible experience with them many years ago.

The odd thing is that $65 doesn't leave a whole lot for labor and profits once you buy a legitimate ATE rebuild kit.

Now I'm not trying to flame anyone.  I'm just trying to suggest that if it sounds to good to be true - maybe it is.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[waqas]

Anyone know where I can find a rebuild kit for my Girling calipers? The Sun Valley place does not deal in Girling at all (I called).  Thanks in advance.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[rwmastel]

Wagas,
I'm not a really experienced mechanic, so I'm not sure what all is included in a "rebuild kit".  I got the rubber seals from local MB dealer (took two tries to get correct parts).  This included the rubber external "accordian" seals the keep brake dust from getting in around the pistons and the internal seals that are rings around the pistons themselves.

I had new stainless steel pistons made at a machine shop because it was about the same price as new ones and they wouldn't rust like my originals.

Is that it?  I kept the original bleeder valve.  I kept the original metal brake line that bends around the kingpin.  I replaced the flexible rubber brake lines.  Anything else?

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

[waqas]

Rodd, you've summed it up nicely. In fact, I've since tracked down the seal kit (MB does not carry them any longer). Once that and my new hoses arrive, I'll be doing what you did. Hopefully my pistons should not require more than a light sanding; otherwise, I may take your route on that too.

Thanks and kind regards,

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[merrill]

waqas,
in austin?  me too, maybe I can watch you r/r your calipers.
drop me a line

565-7323
matt

[waqas]

Fantastic!  I'll give you a call... maybe we can start the official Austin chapter of the W113 group...

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[Vince Canepa]

The pistons should not be "sanded".  Even the mildest abrasive will go through the very thin chrome layer.  Clean the pistons with brake cleaner.  If you find stains that cannot be removed try metal polish.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[norton]

Vince is right on, don't sand the pistons. On the MB calipers the seal is held in a groove in the bore of the caliper and the pistons travel thru the seal.

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe

[waqas]

Gotcha! I haven't even removed the things yet to have a look, so I'm just blathering on about sanding and whatnot. Thanks for all the words of caution!  I had no idea the pistons were chrome plated..... So this means that once corrosion begins, the only way to repair them would be to have them re-chromed or replaced?

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[A Dalton]

http://www.sls-hh-catalogue.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
 

 Girling insert

[Vince Canepa]

The caution about not using abrasives is in the Service Manual. The chrome layer is very thin.  If the pistons are bad, your best option is to probably to have some made from stainless steel, or just send the caliper out to one of the vendors who rebuild/sleeve them.  One more note - the chrome layer is not like the chrome on your bumper.  It looks much like bare steel.  Perhaps that is why some folks don't realize the pistons are chromed.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[merrill]

WAQAS,
what supplier did you find the materials to rebuild your front calipers?
I might as well get the materials to do mine.

don't forget to give me a ring,

matt

[waqas]

Ray Paul was able to find a set for me -- he said that MB no longer carried them.  I haven't receive them yet, but once I do, I'll post details-- I believe the similar calipers were used on era Alfa Romeo Giulia's and certain Jaguars, so we may find the rebuild kits cross-listed over multiple cars. Apparently, there are some different Girling caliper models which use identical rebuild kits (the kit part number is key).

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

Fantastic!  I'll give you a call... maybe we can start the official Austin chapter of the W113 group...

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

There are quite a lot of members from Texas, you should start having an annual Texas Pagoda Gathering!

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

[waqas]

Rodd, a Texas gathering sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, my cherished pagoda will be out of commision until I decide to do some relatively major repairs (most likely in the spring).

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[waqas]

Whoops! Almost forgot why I dug up this old thread.... for those Girling men out there, here's a set of Girling caliper pistons (no relation to seller): http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercedes-230SL-113-GIRLING-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Pistons_W0QQitemZ5833753513QQcategoryZ14980QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[waqas]

Just to break the record of 'fastest triple-post in the west', I just wanted to share the Girling rebuild kit number I received from Ray Paul (Bud's Benz). These are no longer available from MB (according to local dealer), but Ray Paul found them from another supplier. The part # is SP2511. I believe similar calipers were used on era Jaguars and Alfa Romeos, so one might be able to find this rebuild kit cross-listed somewhere else.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas