ATE Front Brake Calipers

[dirtrack49]

Hi all,

Trying to get back to my car collection after being laid up for the last two years.

My 66 230SL when last worked on, had what appears to be a right front caliper (Girling) sticking, causing heavy wear on the outside brake pad. Have been watching different suppliers for a set of remanufactured ATE calipers to replace the Girlings. So far, no luck.

Does anyone have a current source for remanufactured ATE calipers?

Thanks, Tom

[707dieseldean]

https://www.autohausaz.com/catalog?v=1342628&c=3&s=1704&page=1

They appear to have new avalible - Not Cheap 

[mdsalemi]

Why don’t you send yours out for a rebuild?

[Cees Klumper]

Your issue could well be caused by a faulty brake hose going to the caliper, rather than the caliper itself.

[Sead]

A friend of mine has at least 15 sets of NOS ATE brake calipers (incl. brake pads):
https://www.ebay.de/itm/196773050532?_skw=ate+w113+bremss%C3%A4ttel&itmmeta=01JCKHVWQ8VFGZ60R67TXCYBQV&hash=item2dd09678a4:g:23MAAOSw80dnJiW-&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkEiATrcyhpnADjym%2BYolVZCUm4H2WchHJciUIU%2BT%2BujuLdRqrI1bV1pAEikqjtqDuHeQnh1qzAy7Y%2BU5Pvhwi3DEYcyvhgHpUKnYE08SuQwEqcVxHMbQnCA8fX6lWGhkfgCi3lhXfgpoGW6p8TYqzpBaHaxJr2w%2FQlbLHjMoDTO45vAeVktX42NGpToeFlven6jkMvJ5ctPi4H3zV29pwKukTbwXw8cA%2B1FJYYD9MRnT0Zj0jJeQN%2BwJ4Tw4HNrQI%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-rL7_HkZA

[Cees Klumper]

@Sead your friend's listing says "kein versand nach US" so not an option for Tom. Plus, I would be concerned about the inner seals in NOS calipers, depending how old they actually are.
I bought 4 new ones maybe 10 years ago for about €900. They're likely more now, so just getting a rebuild kit with seals and maybe even pistons would be a good way to go.

[dirkbalter]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/mercedes-benz,1967,250sl,2.5l+l6,1434935,brake+&+wheel+hub,caliper,1704

Most of them are rebuild ATE's from what I see.

[dirtrack49]

Thanks for all the information.

I might need to buy new since Rock Auto only has a front right. Or maybe I should just replace the front right that I am having the problem with. I have always replaced brake parts in pairs.

I don't think it would be a brake hose since they are fairly new.

I see Rock Auto and others selling some brand called "Dynamic Friction" as a new caliper. Does anyone have any experience with their product? I would think they must be some poor quality repop for the price they are selling at?

Anyone know who I can send these out to as Michael has suggested?

[dirkbalter]

Thanks for all the information.

I might need to buy new since Rock Auto only has a front right. Or maybe I should just replace the front right that I am having the problem with. I have always replaced brake parts in pairs.

I don't think it would be a brake hose since they are fairly new.

I see Rock Auto and others selling some brand called "Dynamic Friction" as a new caliper. Does anyone have any experience with their product? I would think they must be some poor quality repop for the price they are selling at?

Anyone know who I can send these out to as Michael has suggested?

I bought 2 sets of ATE calipers from them. One is on the car and working. I believe they are rebuild by a company called Centric. Both sets have the ATE Logo on the caliper.
I have an original set of Girling's that came with the car. So far, I couldn't find any rebuild kits or rebuilder for these.

[Benz Dr.]

I bought 2 sets of ATE calipers from them. One is on the car and working. I believe they are rebuild by a company called Centric. Both sets have the ATE Logo on the caliper.
I have an original set of Girling's that came with the car. So far, I couldn't find any rebuild kits or rebuilder for these.

Kits and pistons are available.  I have a place that will rebuild Girling calipers as long as they aren't junk.

[dirkbalter]

Kits and pistons are available.  I have a place that will rebuild Girling calipers as long as they aren't junk.

Thank you and good to know. The pistons are pitted and need to be replaced. That's when I gave up and switched to ATE.

[Jimbo1907]

I just went through this on my 1969 280SL. One front caliper (ATE) was stuck from not enough use. White Post will rebuild them for $250 each, plus shipping. However, I found new overseas-made (which I'm sure means Chinese) calipers on Rock Auto for $110 the pair (pads not included)  They fit perfectly and work perfectly. ATE new ones are $450 each. With a good-sized group of cars to maintain, I opted for the cheap ones. I will probably still have the originals rebuilt, later on.

[dirtrack49]

Jimbo1907, that is exactly what I needed to know.
 
I can't find anyone who currently has rebuilt ones to offer.
 
I was wanting to replace my Girling calipers with ATE's.

Did the aftermarket calipers come with hardware? What type of pads did you end up using?

Thanks, Tom

[mdsalemi]

Aside from WhitePost, whose claim to fame is stainless steel sleeving of the calipers, there are plenty of other sources of rebuilding. Here are two:

http://goldlinebrakes.com

https://caliperhq.com/vintage-european-caliper-rebuilding/

Back when I was having the initial restoration of my car done, 1999-2001, I simply took the calipers to the local "Foreign Auto Parts" store in Michigan, and they sent them out. $40 each. Been working fine since then.

[Harry]

ATE are good products.  I installed those on my 230SL years ago.  They bolted right up and haven't been a problem since.  I think a lot of us wrestle with originality and aftermarket, as well as cost.  This is an individual decision and there is no right or wrong as long as all parts are of good quality and function properly.

My personal perspective has been that I prefer to keep my car as true to original as possible, within some degree of reason.  The calipers were an area where I wasn't bothered with a "non-original" part.  The 123 distributor is another example where I was willing to go non-original to ultimately provide a more reliable solution.

I suppose a lot of that depends on your ultimate goals for the car. 

Harry