[amgdvl]

Coming to the last steps on my ml55 restoration...

Just wanted to know.. do the calipers have to be rebuilt at any point? car is over 20 years? do the seals and rubber boots last that long?

I saw this... and was trying to weigh the pros and cons

currently i have no issues with my calipers... i know i know... if it aint broke.... (I was wired differently .... I think my motto is : "if it aint broke.... break it." lol)


ADDED:

DIRECT LINKS IN THIS THREAD :
A. JUMP TO CALIPER REBUILD
B. JUMP TO CALIPER REPAINT
C. JUMP TO BLEEDING TROUBLESHOOTING

 

[khomer2]

Coming to the last steps on my ml55 restoration...

Just wanted to know.. do the calipers have to be rebuilt at any point? car is over 20 years? do the seals and rubber boots last that long?

I saw this... and was trying to weigh the pros and cons

currently i have no issues with my calipers... i know i know... if it aint broke.... (I was wired differently .... I think my motto is : "if it aint broke.... break it." lol)

Rewire yourself?
They do have meds for this. jk

MB rebuilds them, members over on w210 and w123, w124, (older MBs have rebuilt them) but only if its not corroded.
I've used ATE rebuld kit on a w123 in past. FCP has a lifetime on their products too.
I'd say go for it, and post your progress on them.

 

[amgdvl]

Rewire yourself?
...
I'd say go for it, and post your progress on them.

I love how you are supporting me on this journey ! lol .... actually the link was incorrect... FCP only has outer seals for the ML.. not the inner seal....

 

[Noodles]

If you have the Brembo calipers Brembo has a supply issue with the seals. They have for a few years on and off.
Look for Carlson part 15312 that should be the boots and piston seals.

 

[Stache Haus]

rebuilding them isnt the easiest job. if you arent mechanically inclined id rec having a shop do them. also, if you are going to repaint them do that step before installing the new seals, makes it much easier. i did a write up on the steps needed if you feel like tackling the job.

 

[khomer2]

rebuilding them isnt the easiest job. if you arent mechanically inclined id rec having a shop do them. also, if you are going to repaint them do that step before installing the new seals, makes it much easier. i did a write up on the steps needed if you feel like tackling the job.

amgdvl is more than capable. no worries about that.

 

[mattml430]

Rebuilding them is a great idea and has to be better than not doing them. You’ve gone this far doing a great job why stop now. Lol
It’s good to know it’s done I always say. Preventative maintenance is the best maintenance.

 

[Stache Haus]

amgdvl is more than capable. no worries about that.

im new so i didnt know. i restore cars for a living and doing calipers is one of my least favorite jobs

 

[khomer2]

im new so i didnt know. i restore cars for a living and doing calipers is one of my least favorite jobs

No worries.
Welcome to BW.

 

[amgdvl]

If you have the Brembo calipers Brembo has a supply issue with the seals. They have for a few years on and off.
Look for Carlson part 15312 that should be the boots and piston seals.

... I never heard of the company Carlson... is it the same as Carlson Tuning in Germany (or is that "Carlsson" ?).... Surprised Brembo doesnt have a proper kit. But... thanks for the heads up - i just ordered it.. I'm assuming its this one.

Any Idea which kit do I need for the rears ?

 

[amgdvl]

rebuilding them isnt the easiest job. if you arent mechanically inclined id rec having a shop do them. also, if you are going to repaint them do that step before installing the new seals, makes it much easier. i did a write up on the steps needed if you feel like tackling the job.

Yes... I am repainting them also... I've never rebuilt a caliper before (this should be fun)... but found a pretty good (down and dirty) video that goes through the procedure : HERE

amgdvl is more than capable. no worries about that.

lol

Rebuilding them is a great idea and has to be better than not doing them. You’ve gone this far doing a great job why stop now. Lol
It’s good to know it’s done I always say. Preventative maintenance is the best maintenance.

I agree about the preventive maintenance part.... this is why I was wondering why others have not done so....

Regarding having "gone this far"... I cant even begin to explain what custom fabrication work I've done in the past 2 days for the car... insanity kind of things...

Regarding the Calipers :

• I ended up getting DOT approved brake lines from Goodridge UK (only for pedal feel I understand)
• New pads, New Fluids... Not sure about Rotors at the moment... I will look when i have everything apart...
• Caliper primer, paint, and clear coat
• Just ordered the seals (thanks @Noodles !)
• Also ordered custom stickers for the calipers....

I tried to get these made (but the text was too small on the bottom for the cutter ! (lol) ... but... it would have been fun/funny for me (my kind of humor)

but I ended up just doing the "/////AMG" logo

 

[mattml430]

I’ve done mine twice. First time I polished and clear coated them second time I painted them.

 

[mattml430]

The new ML and C43 callipers are done like these.

 

[Witek_M]

Get new hardware kits. Pins and springs. 163 420 08 83

 

[Noodles]

That is the correct seal kit and the hardware kit Witek posted is a must have for each caliper.

 

[amgdvl]

Get new hardware kits. Pins and springs. 163 420 08 83

I was debating whether to get new hardware kits... ok... will do that. (this is me trying to "save" some money.... lmao )

That is the correct seal kit and the hardware kit Witek posted is a must have for each caliper.

Rear seal kit ? same as front ?

 

[amgdvl]

I’ve done mine twice. First time I polished and clear coated them second time I painted them.

really surprised how nice the polished one looks ... which paint / clear coat did you use (just curious).... 2k clear? high heat paint? epoxy kit? powder coating?

 

[mattml430]

really surprised how nice the polished one looks ... which paint / clear coat did you use (just curious).... 2k clear? high heat paint? epoxy kit? powder coating?

Yer polished is different they looked quite good.
I used base coat on the rotors and callipers with glasirit 2k clear. It held up really well on the rotors surprisingly.

 

[Noodles]

I was debating whether to get new hardware kits... ok... will do that. (this is me trying to "save" some money.... lmao )

Rear seal kit ? same as front ?

Nope not quit the same.
Centric part #14335031 should be readily available. I am not sure, but I believe you will need two of them. One kit does one caliper if I recall correctly unlike the front kit for the Carlson that does both fronts.

 

[Sam Cogley]

I don't know if they're still on sale or not, but RockAuto had good rotors for the Brembo brakes pretty cheap recently.