Replace Or Rebuild Brake Caliper

[EViS]

Got into the zed today and it struggled to move forward, gave it a few extra revs and it shifted. I'm almost certain the left caliper is seized and needs sorting. Anything else that could have caused this? The handbrake was definitely down !

ECP sells Pagid and Mitax calipers, whilst eBay has a huge choice of used and new by a variety of suppliers. Could anyone recommend where or which manufacture to buy from?

I don't mind rebuilding my current one, but not sure it's worth it as the long term success rate seems very varied?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Try cleaning and greasing the pins and piston seal first.

 

[ph001]

Seized caliper pretty common. Refurb on it will sort it no problem, both short and long term.

 

[chrisgreen]

Bigred on eBay have a good rep and used on mine

 

[Ewazix]

It depends on the state of the thing when you get it off (which might be a bit late to decide depending whether you need it on the road quickly). Mine were really pitted all over and the bores were in a bit of a state so replacement was the better option.
I've used Brakes International for three sets of calipers on various cars including the Zed with no problems.
https://www.brakesint.co.uk/brake_hydraulics.html

 

[firebobby]

I have refurbed quite a few calipers and most stick due to the pins/sliders getting gummed up/
. Others have needed new seal and in rare cases, the pistons have needed renewing. It all depends how good you are with the spanners.
Brakes are safety critical, so if not sure/happy to DIY, get it booked

 

[EViS]

Thanks chaps. Sounds like a refurb may be worth a shot. Where do you recommend buying a kit with new seals and maybe piston? Or even a particular manufacturer to search for on eBay?

 

[AveZ4coop]

I have used 'bigred' on ebay, for brake overhaul kits in the past. Good quality and reasonably priced.

 

[firebobby]

I have used 'bigred' on ebay, for brake overhaul kits in the past. Good quality and reasonably priced.

+1
But have a look at the caliper 1st, it may be the slider pins just need cleaning

 

[Davz]

Absolute waste of time rebuilding the calipers, if the bore is corroded, which is likely on an old zed, you will never get a good seal. I wouldn't bother with cheap Chinese aftermarket copies of dubious quality. Much safer to buy a reconditioned BMW unit from Brake Engineering, based in Wrexham, who are owned by global parts manufacturer, TRW. The caliper is cnc'd, new piston, seals, pins etc then electrostrated plated......looks like new when you get it out of the box because it is as good as new. Sounds expensive? Try £40 to £45 each and then £5 or £10 return on your old caliper. A refurb kit will cost £30 without a guarantee it will work. It's a no brainer really. Also if you want to spray them a colour it's an ideal opportunity as it is spotlessly clean and grease free.
I have done both front calipers over 12 months ago and only cost me £70.... Bargain!

 

[Ewazix]

I took some pics of mine when I did them a few years ago, as you can see the slide pins were not worth cleaning as they were pitted (TIS states they are one time fit anyway IIRC) and the calipers were super-scabby!

 

[EViS]

Absolute waste of time rebuilding the calipers, if the bore is corroded, which is likely on an old zed, you will never get a good seal. I wouldn't bother with cheap Chinese aftermarket copies of dubious quality. Much safer to buy a reconditioned BMW unit from Brake Engineering, based in Wrexham, who are owned by global parts manufacturer, TRW. The caliper is cnc'd, new piston, seals, pins etc then electrostrated plated......looks like new when you get it out of the box because it is as good as new. Sounds expensive? Try £40 to £45 each and then £5 or £10 return on your old caliper. A refurb kit will cost £30 without a guarantee it will work. It's a no brainer really. Also if you want to spray them a colour it's an ideal opportunity as it is spotlessly clean and grease free.
I have done both front calipers over 12 months ago and only cost me £70.... Bargain!

This is what I have found this afternoon. A 'pagid' (although rumours surface that it could be an ATE or BMW OE) caliper from ECP is £55 after discount codes and the return of the old one. Obviously a no brainer.

Any reason NOT to go for the ECP Pagid branded over a Bigg Red, Brakes International or Brake Engineering recons?

Also, would it be daft to reuse the guide bolts if they're in good condition? If so, I'll give the local dealer a call in the morning to order some in.

 

[Davz]

Pagid used to supply brake components to BMW, think it's jurid now. The pagid caliper will be a reconditioned unit, hence why you have to return your caliper, so pagid will be a good buy just like the others. It just comes down to cost. I just went to 2 different local motorfactors, to get a left and right caliper on the same day, both had small deposits (£5/£10) to return the old calipers but at the time eurocarparts had about a £25 deposit dependent on a serviceable caliper, so could be an issue. Avoid bigg red, if a bleed nipple is broken off they will keep your deposit. I went with TRW calipers as the cost was about £20 less per side and I knew they were cnc'd in the UK, rather than pagid in Germany or possibly one of their factories in the far East. When my rears seize I know where my money is going!
I used the bolts, just make sure they are torqued to spec, if they are corroded on the shaft, replace. They should have the original thread locking compound on them, if not they have been off before so it may be wise to replace as they may have been over torqued.

 

[EViS]

Thanks all. Parts ordered and awaiting delivery.

Does anyone have all the torque specs readily available as a diagram. incl. the torque for the brake disc bolt?