32 replies to this topic

[Captain Vimes]

So, the nearside rear brake is dragging on my car - I may be able to loosen it off but would like to give the rear calipers a new lease of life if possible.

 

From the search so far I've concluded:-

 

DIY Overhaul

- The kit supplied by EP doesn't include a new piston and no one has found a source for them yet (maybe a Renault caliper..?)

- Overhauling the rear calipers is not easy, with reports that many of the steps having to be bypassed due to stuck bolts made of soft metal - breaking these parts is a bad idea as they're bespoke and can't be sourced new from anywhere

 

Professional Overhaul

- No known company that is willing (or able) to refurb the calipers

- Can be done by Lotus for about the same cost as new calipers

 

New

- Cost is over £500+vat from Vauxhall

 

 

Have I missed anything? As they're also used on the Elise this must be a common problem now.

 

Or do I NEED to upgrade to 4 pot fronts and 2 pot rears (for safety....)?

Edited by Captain Vimes, 09 December 2013 - 10:17 PM.

[Kart59]

I tried refurbing mine, wasn't anything wrong with them, just wanted piece of mind as they are now 12 years old. Being as careful as possible and still snapped something! They are much cheaper from lotus, be cheeky and try and get a discount for buying two.

[Nelly Vx]

Most motor factors will offer a reconditioning service .

[CocoPops]

238+vat at deroure for a rear caliper.

[techieboy]

But Lotus also sell reconditioned rear calipers. Apparently.

[JamesC]

Someone at work recommended these chaps:

 

http://www.biggred.co.uk/index.php

 

But I have no experience of them.

Edited by JamesC, 10 December 2013 - 08:47 AM.

[techieboy]

No good. Won't touch the rears and even said they couldn't do the fronts (though they clearly can).

[FLD]

Chris Neils do recons.

[fezzasus]

One point worth mentioning after you have refurbed/replaced your calipers; the dodge (which also uses the same brakes) screws a bracket into the threaded section where the grub screw is located. This protects the grub screw from corroding. I would suggest packing the area with grease and putting a bolt in the top to protect it. This will make refurbing much easier in future.

 

That said, I haven't bothered to work out the thread size on mine so haven't done it :s

[FLD]

10x1mm iirc

[MWS]

I got a full caliper refresh (front & rears) done by BG Developments in Bromsgrove.

 

They did the job lot for around £320 including new pistons etc.

 

http://www.bgdevelopments.co.uk/

 

 

[D3YMO]

Just rang up and spoke to BG and Bigg Red, it seems they use each others services when it comes to the AP calipers and colouring them

 

BG do the refurb

BiggRed do the colour

 

Ive been told to expect 4 weeks turnaround (thats fine for me)

 

Refurb approx costs without seeing the calipers:

 

Labour - £45 per caliper

Seals - £15ish per caliper

Pistons - (usually cost, but can be more) £15ish per caliper

Other bits and pieces - £10 a caliper

Colour - £60-75 for 2 calipers

 

Its not cheap but the only other step for me is saving up for a brand new very expensive set up (which i cant justify atm)

 

[MWS]

It was Bigg Red who pointed me in the direction of BG because they could do the AP Calipers but not the Brembo's.

 

You're right though, BG won't colour them.

[slindborg]

£60-75 to paint them!!!!!!! are you insane?!?! just DIY FFS

[kingwowns]

I saw in a thread a few weeks back that these guys has been ok

http://www.brake-cal...ml#.UqcZUHggGc0

I'm going to give them a ring today as a dust seal has split on my rear so just need it replacing before other problems appear!

[FLD]

Just rang up and spoke to BG and Bigg Red, it seems they use each others services when it comes to the AP calipers and colouring them

 

BG do the refurb

BiggRed do the colour

 

Ive been told to expect 4 weeks turnaround (thats fine for me)

 

Refurb approx costs without seeing the calipers:

 

Labour - £45 per caliper

Seals - £15ish per caliper

Pistons - (usually cost, but can be more) £15ish per caliper

Other bits and pieces - £10 a caliper

Colour - £60-75 for 2 calipers

 

Its not cheap but the only other step for me is saving up for a brand new very expensive set up (which i cant justify atm)

 

 

Thats not a million miles off the price that Lotus do refurbs for.  Have you tried actually ringing them?

[kingwowns]

Just spoke to Andy there-seems knowledgeable and helpful. Full refurb is ~£75 including Vat....but if the grub screw is seized that's game over for the caliper!

[kingwowns]

To clarify, Andy is at Brake Caliper Painting near Nott'm

[Duncan VXR]

Refurb is not difficult, fronts are very easy As stated its that ikle grub screw thats the worry out of about 6 or 7 I have done 2 broke without any real pressure applied sure they are the same rear parts as a renault 9 but im getting old and could be wrong DG

[drunknmunky]

What does aforementioned grub screw do?