Removing Brake Calipers for mail-order caliper refurbish?

[CharlieRC]

I had my wheels refurbed in gunmetal grey last year, and I was super happy with the results. Thing is, every time I wash the car and get the wheels all shiny again, the BIG thing that still lets the car down is the corroded/pitted brake calipers.

I have no idea what Mercedes make these parts out of, considering they know damn well they're going to be in contact with muck, grime, water, crud for the entirety of their lives, you'd have thought they'd make them (or at least finish them) in something a tad more durable.

Anyway I digress...

I painted my own calipers on my old Civic, some cleaning, some wire brushing, some IPA rubbing... followed by a ton of masking off and careful application of rustoleum red high temp gloopy paint with a small brush, did the trick for a 2006 Civic.

Thing is, the calipers on my e-class coupe are split... like there's the main caliper then there's a top bracket and bottom bracket... plus there's a heck of a lot more pipes and holes to mask off compared to my old civic.

I want to do the merc justice, I don't want a DIY job, so I've been looking at caliper refurb services. There's one that you send them in, they refurb them usually within 24/48 hours and then send them back next day delivery. The results look amazing.

I'm just concerned about little old me, taking off the calipers, having the car sit there for 3ish days then me putting the calipers back on again.

Is it easy? Would a simple socket set do the job? Do they go back on easy enough without special tools??? Also, I'm assuming I don't HAVE to put new pads in at the same time? If I disconnect the brake pad wear sensor, can I simply reconnect it when I get the calipers back?

The merc specialist I use reckon a full disc/pad replacement is due on the next service, should I wait until just before that? or after that?

So many quesions I know, sorry... but also thanks in advance.

 

[G7Wagen]

I refurbed my 30 year old G wagen calipers with a company called BiggRed

Bigg Red

A leading UK Brake Caliper remanufacturing and component specialist

www.biggred.co.uk

they do Supercars and regular car calipers, new bleed valves, pistons and seals, paint finish to OE standards.

before


After


all for a few hundred pounds.. they can supply new pins and spring clips.

Once refitted (use new calipers to carrier bolts)
you will need to bleed the brakes..
I put new disc and pads in to complete the job.


Do it all.. its worth the effort!.

They can stove enamel your calipers.. but that adds a few weeks to the turnaround... all mail order if need be.

 

[CharlieRC]

They look amazing, definitely something I'm going to get done. I'm just worried about DIY removal and refitting of the calipers. Yep, I forgot about bleeding the brakes too... I guess I just need to be brave and learn how to do this kind of stuff. My merc specialist garage won't do anything on the car other than just servicing and repairs, fully by the (mercedes) book. They're cheaper than main dealer, and have all the right kit... They've worked on my car since I've owned it and I trust them... just a shame they won't do things like this or aftermarket springs for me.

I'll look into bleeding the brakes, probably need a cheap brake bleeding bottle and some extra fluid... wish me luck

 

[G7Wagen]

There are dozens of guide on Youtube to learn how to fit and bleed the callipers and brakes pads etc.. the discs are held on by one screw.. (and the wheel)... if you film yourself removing everything or take lots of pics... you will know how to do the reverse. the caliper bolts will be tight... so buy a breaker bar for your socket set... it will give more leverage.
New discs are not as expensive as you think... I always go OEM for the pads.. Get a mate to help... who has done it before. . it will be easier.

 

[Wolfie1]

Mind and put something between the seat and the brake pedal depressing it an inch or 2 to save all the brake fluid leaking out with the calipers off or if you have rubber hoses you can just clamp them as you will damage metal braided ones if you clamp them

 

[W1ghty]

I had my wheels refurbed in gunmetal grey last year, and I was super happy with the results. Thing is, every time I wash the car and get the wheels all shiny again, the BIG thing that still lets the car down is the corroded/pitted brake calipers.

I have no idea what Mercedes make these parts out of, considering they know damn well they're going to be in contact with muck, grime, water, crud for the entirety of their lives, you'd have thought they'd make them (or at least finish them) in something a tad more durable.

Anyway I digress...

I painted my own calipers on my old Civic, some cleaning, some wire brushing, some IPA rubbing... followed by a ton of masking off and careful application of rustoleum red high temp gloopy paint with a small brush, did the trick for a 2006 Civic.

Thing is, the calipers on my e-class coupe are split... like there's the main caliper then there's a top bracket and bottom bracket... plus there's a heck of a lot more pipes and holes to mask off compared to my old civic.

I want to do the merc justice, I don't want a DIY job, so I've been looking at caliper refurb services. There's one that you send them in, they refurb them usually within 24/48 hours and then send them back next day delivery. The results look amazing.

I'm just concerned about little old me, taking off the calipers, having the car sit there for 3ish days then me putting the calipers back on again.

Is it easy? Would a simple socket set do the job? Do they go back on easy enough without special tools??? Also, I'm assuming I don't HAVE to put new pads in at the same time? If I disconnect the brake pad wear sensor, can I simply reconnect it when I get the calipers back?

The merc specialist I use reckon a full disc/pad replacement is due on the next service, should I wait until just before that? or after that?

So many quesions I know, sorry... but also thanks in advance.

I think you shouldn’t remove them yourself , most people start their DIY journey with little jobs and build up .
If you had done pad replacement before you are half way there . Things can go wrong and you sound ill equipped to deal with them ? What if you mess up brake bleeding afterwards ?
No offence intended
Just paint what you can see with them in position .
Good luck either way

 

[ChrisHGTV]

They look amazing, definitely something I'm going to get done. I'm just worried about DIY removal and refitting of the calipers. Yep, I forgot about bleeding the brakes too... I guess I just need to be brave and learn how to do this kind of stuff. My merc specialist garage won't do anything on the car other than just servicing and repairs, fully by the (mercedes) book. They're cheaper than main dealer, and have all the right kit... They've worked on my car since I've owned it and I trust them... just a shame they won't do things like this or aftermarket springs for me.

I'll look into bleeding the brakes, probably need a cheap brake bleeding bottle and some extra fluid... wish me luck

For replacing fluid and bleeding brakes (and clutch) i use an Eezibleed. It's so easy and you don't need an accomplice. You do need a spare tyre though, though you could i guess take a wheel off and use that as well. Ive found about 20psi works well. Really quite satisfying - especially the first time i did the clutch and all the black gunky fluid came out to be replaced by nice clean stuff.

 

[G7Wagen]

If you decide to do it.. when it's finished.. take it straight to your indie for a brake fluid change and ask him to check your work, for "piece of mind".

 

[ALFAitalia]

Just make sure you clamp the rubber hoses or other wise block the pipes when the callipers are off......if you let all the fluid drain out and empty the ABS unit you are in a whole world of pain without Star etc to open the valves in the ABS unit to enable you to bleed it properly....ask me how I know!!!

 

[G7Wagen]

very good point!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

The company I use sends out 2 refurbished calipers , you pay a surcharge which is returned when they receive your old calipers . Postage is all included in the price.

 

[jasonh]

If you are not familiar with changing pads, discs and bleeding brakes I would not recommend sending off the calipers.

There are a lot of pitfalls:

You'll need to lift all 4 wheels.
You'll need to be careful separating the hard brake lines from the flexible ones, it's very easy to twist the hard lines which will then need replacing.
You need a torque wrench to refit the calipers property.
If the brake fluid drains down too much, and it probably will, then you'll likely need diagnostics plus the right technique to purge the ABS of air.

 

[AndrewOl]

The company I use sends out 2 refurbished calipers , you pay a surcharge which is returned when they receive your old calipers . Postage is all included in the price.

That’s a good idea. Who is that?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

That’s a good idea. Who is that?

Brakes international.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Brakes International. The company that easily identified the rear caliper set up on my C55 when a main 'AMG' Mercedes Benz dealership refused to believed they were standard because they did not look like the ones on their computer screen. Despite the car being parked outside and me being in possession of photos of other C55 rear brakes.

Spoiler alert , they are the ones from the C32 that came before.....MB missed that bit

+ 1 for Brakes International.

 

[CharlieRC]

Some really good points there people, thank you for your insights.

I've been out to the car this morning, I have a torque wrench and a reasonable socket set... good enough for the job at least.

I've done discs and pads on my old civic, a fair few times. Along with oil changes and EGR valve cleaning, that kind of thing. So I'm fairly confident I'm competent enough to do it on this car... I was really just asking about totally removing the brake lines from the calipers and I think with the advice I've seen on here, I'll give it a miss.

What I'll probably do is just buy a painting kit for about £30 or so, do my discs and pads and while I've got the calipers off the bracket I'll clean them up and paint them myself.

My main concern here is the draining of the brake fluid, the potential ABS issues, needing to get it towed to a garage to fix it, etc...

I could clamp them I guess but I don't have a secure location for the car, it'll be out on the street, on axle stands, waiting for the calipers to come back to me in the post. I don't live in a rough area, but there are enough ****s about that would probably want to take a peek or mess about with it.

Plus, for the amount it was going to cost me to get them painted, I'll be able to get both discs and pads and the paint kit

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Brakes International. The company that easily identified the rear caliper set up on my C55 when a main 'AMG' Mercedes Benz dealership refused to believed they were standard because they did not look like the ones on their computer screen. Despite the car being parked outside and me being in possession of photos of other C55 rear brakes.

Spoiler alert , they are the ones from the C32 that came before.....MB missed that bit

+ 1 for Brakes International.

Funny that , my 04 reg e320 with sbc brakes was listed as having 4 pot calipers ,the type with slot in pads and guide pins. Mine was Bosch calipers with single piston. Parts kids at mb were totally useless.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Some really good points there people, thank you for your insights.

I've been out to the car this morning, I have a torque wrench and a reasonable socket set... good enough for the job at least.

I've done discs and pads on my old civic, a fair few times. Along with oil changes and EGR valve cleaning, that kind of thing. So I'm fairly confident I'm competent enough to do it on this car... I was really just asking about totally removing the brake lines from the calipers and I think with the advice I've seen on here, I'll give it a miss.

What I'll probably do is just buy a painting kit for about £30 or so, do my discs and pads and while I've got the calipers off the bracket I'll clean them up and paint them myself.

My main concern here is the draining of the brake fluid, the potential ABS issues, needing to get it towed to a garage to fix it, etc...

I could clamp them I guess but I don't have a secure location for the car, it'll be out on the street, on axle stands, waiting for the calipers to come back to me in the post. I don't live in a rough area, but there are enough ****s about that would probably want to take a peek or mess about with it.

Plus, for the amount it was going to cost me to get them painted, I'll be able to get both discs and pads and the paint kit

That why I used brakes international, you take the old ones off and fit the new , because you have them already. Tbh if they are working ok , there's plenty of caliper kits on Amazon. I recently done all 4 on my car in a copper . £17 for the paint kit.

 

[jasonh]

It does sound within reach for you (from your initial post it seemed a stretch).

Leaving a car on axle stands on the street would be my biggest worry.

If you can find somewhere off road and are careful it could be viable. Definitely get a brake pipe spanner and be super careful not to twist the hard lines.

As mentioned apply pressure to the brake pedal (a piece of wood between the brake pedal and seat works fine). When you open the first line the brake fluid will squirt out because of the pressure but the master cylinder shouldn't drain.

You'll have to separate the hard lines from the flexible hoses in order to undo the flexible hoses from the calipers.

Cap off the brake lines with something sensible. If you don't the system will drain via gravity. A lot of people clamp the flexible hoses but I don't think that's a good idea (you can weaken or damage them). Clamping isn't 100% either so over a long period the system might drain.

If the system does drain it can be a challenge to fully bleed the system but it is possible.

 

[AndrewOl]

Give them a clean up and a paint, I’m sure you will get them looking good enough. I stick with black and got some mb transfers for the little flat plate on the fronts. Look fine, won’t last for ever but easy enough to do. Spend your cash on discs and pads.