Anyone rebuilt their calipers?

supermann125 · 09-09-2016, 08:16 PM

Looking to overhaul my front calipers. Left front is sticking a bit. Anyone rebuilt theirs? I'm looking at the bushings, guides, o ring, dust cap, and piston. Can't find the piston anywhere though.

davidwarren · 09-10-2016, 07:49 AM

Unless it's damaged, no need for a new piston. I got rebuild kits from Zeckhausen I think. That was the only place with reasonable parts prices. Everywhere else was like $40 a caliper.

Julian2485 · 09-10-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermann125

Looking to overhaul my front calipers. Left front is sticking a bit. Anyone rebuilt theirs? I'm looking at the bushings, guides, o ring, dust cap, and piston. Can't find the piston anywhere though.

How can you tell if your caliper is sticking ?

supermann125 · 09-10-2016, 06:32 PM

I have a very uneven wear pattern, (new rotors and new pads) and my front left is about 20 degrees C hotter than my right with laser thermometer gun after normal driving

feuer · 09-13-2016, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermann125

I have a very uneven wear pattern, (new rotors and new pads) and my front left is about 20 degrees C hotter than my right with laser thermometer gun after normal driving

This is not necessarily due to faulty caliper.
-when was the last brake fluid flush and bleed?
-are the tires on the front the same threadwear index and same air pressure?
-condition of you suspension, struts specifically?
-how is the alignment?

bNks334 · 09-13-2016, 11:38 AM

look on Rockauto. Definitely the cheapest around for seals and such. Even cheaper than Ebay sellers. They also have rebuilt calipers for dirt cheap after you send back your old ones ($800 core charge). Use the 5% off coupon you can find on the net as well.

Yangorang · 09-13-2016, 05:21 PM

Turnermotorsport actually sells rebuilt calipers for about $130-140ish but you get an $80 core charge back when you send yours back. To me that's a lot less pain and makes more sense than DIYing it.

supermann125 · 09-14-2016, 08:35 AM

Last bleed/flush was in June.
Good even wear on all tires.
Suspension is 85k miles, so maybe a problem.
Alignment is pretty decent.

Got the rebuild supplies, rebuilding next week. I'll post pictures of weird wear pattern as well

supermann125 · 09-19-2016, 05:52 PM

Completed the "rebuild". I bought a new dust boot and o ring for the piston, as well as copper guide bushing. First off, the copper guide bushings were the wrong size, so I'm glad I didn't damage the old ones on removal. Second, the dust boot for the piston is nearly impossible to get back on. After an hour, I finally used the cap of a can of wasp kill spray. You need to apply uniform pressure in a circular pattern only on the outer diameter of the boot. BMW says you need a special tool. I say cap to a 20oz can of spectracide wasp killer.

Long story short, still have the weird wear pattern. See picture

09-09-2016, 08:16 PM	#1
supermann125 Private First Class 45 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2)	Anyone rebuilt their calipers? Looking to overhaul my front calipers. Left front is sticking a bit. Anyone rebuilt theirs? I'm looking at the bushings, guides, o ring, dust cap, and piston. Can't find the piston anywhere though.
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09-10-2016, 07:49 AM	#2
davidwarren Captain 187 Rep 670 Posts Drives: 328,325, 325, 335, X5, 640 GC Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Louisville, ky iTrader: (0)	Unless it's damaged, no need for a new piston. I got rebuild kits from Zeckhausen I think. That was the only place with reasonable parts prices. Everywhere else was like $40 a caliper.
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09-10-2016, 06:32 PM	#4
supermann125 Private First Class 45 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2)	I have a very uneven wear pattern, (new rotors and new pads) and my front left is about 20 degrees C hotter than my right with laser thermometer gun after normal driving
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2016, 11:38 AM	#6
bNks334 Major 427 Rep 957 Posts Drives: '11 135i (N55) Join Date: May 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	look on Rockauto. Definitely the cheapest around for seals and such. Even cheaper than Ebay sellers. They also have rebuilt calipers for dirt cheap after you send back your old ones ($800 core charge). Use the 5% off coupon you can find on the net as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2016, 05:21 PM	#7
Yangorang Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Turnermotorsport actually sells rebuilt calipers for about $130-140ish but you get an $80 core charge back when you send yours back. To me that's a lot less pain and makes more sense than DIYing it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-14-2016, 08:35 AM	#8
supermann125 Private First Class 45 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2)	Last bleed/flush was in June. Good even wear on all tires. Suspension is 85k miles, so maybe a problem. Alignment is pretty decent. Got the rebuild supplies, rebuilding next week. I'll post pictures of weird wear pattern as well
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2016, 05:52 PM	#9
supermann125 Private First Class 45 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2)	Completed the "rebuild". I bought a new dust boot and o ring for the piston, as well as copper guide bushing. First off, the copper guide bushings were the wrong size, so I'm glad I didn't damage the old ones on removal. Second, the dust boot for the piston is nearly impossible to get back on. After an hour, I finally used the cap of a can of wasp kill spray. You need to apply uniform pressure in a circular pattern only on the outer diameter of the boot. BMW says you need a special tool. I say cap to a 20oz can of spectracide wasp killer. Long story short, still have the weird wear pattern. See picture Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote