brake shop ?

[eki912]

Calipers out , ready to be refurbished & painted.

Was going to send these to GOLDLINE , but started thinking about a local shop capable of doing this ? A total rebuild needed.

Anybody used any local brakespecialists? Comments on those ? Do they know P stuff well ?

e k i

[cmartin]

Rebuilding calipers is straight forward, something you or any local Porsche shop can do. Never heard of brakespecialists.

[Eli]

I second what Chris said. Most of the local Porsche shops should be able to do this for you.

[eki912]

OK , if the local ( or all ) Porsche shops can do a job like this , how can Goldline have such a good reputation around ?

The local shops , can they do the painting/finishing to really good standards ? No spraypaints... or that stuff , please. I am looking for top of the line results , as good as from the factory or better !

e k i

[BlackTalon]

Dude -- the local Porsche shops will rebuild your calipers so you don't crash and burn at Turn 1 at Summit Point, but they won't paint your calipers -- especially not "as good as from the factory or better!" The calipers don't even come painted in the first place -- they are powdercoated.

Here's what you do -- take your calipers to your favorite powdercoating shop and let them do the bling you so desire. Next, take them to a Porsche repair shop and let them rebuild the calipers. I doubt there is a single company that can do it all for you if this is what you desire. And FWIW, if you ever track your car, that "as good as from the factory or better!" finish you so desired will be burnished -- I've seen brand new, bright red Brembos turned to a red wine color in a matter or three or four 20 minute sessions. And if they don't get burnished, it means you drove like a freakin' wimp. :-)

P.S. Never heard of Goldline -- are they known for having a great reputation in the P-car community?

[Trak Ratt]

Dude -- the local Porsche shops will rebuild your calipers so you don't crash and burn at Turn 1 at Summit Point, but they won't paint your calipers -- especially not "as good as from the factory or better!" The calipers don't even come painted in the first place -- they are powdercoated.

Here's what you do -- take your calipers to your favorite powdercoating shop and let them do the bling you so desire. Next, take them to a Porsche repair shop and let them rebuild the calipers. I doubt there is a single company that can do it all for you if this is what you desire. And FWIW, if you ever track your car, that "as good as from the factory or better!" finish you so desired will be burnished -- I've seen brand new, bright red Brembos turned to a red wine color in a matter or three or four 20 minute sessions. And if they don't get burnished, it means you drove like a freakin' wimp. :-)

P.S. Never heard of Goldline -- are they known for having a great reputation in the P-car community?
No seriously dave how do you feel about this? But in any case you are correct. A good steam cleaning should make them “golden”

[cmartin]

Too funny. Never thought about painting the calipers, not sure where to get that done.

[VaSteve]

OK , if the local ( or all ) Porsche shops can do a job like this , how can Goldline have such a good reputation around ?



These two things are not mutually exclusive. Local shops can do a good job rebuilding calipers AND Goldline (whoever they are) can have a good reputation at whatever it is they do.


But honestly, it's a job I could do, and that's saying something.

Steve - representing Deutschland

[flatsixcrazy]

For bead blasting and powder coating, I'd recommend a fellow dorki Keith Lambert. He's been powder coating Porsches and Corvettes parts for shows and knows what to do with your calipers. Andy

[Trak Ratt]

I’ve rebuilt and painted them myself, go figure ;)

Clean rebuilt Calipers ready to paint available from many local sources like Advance Auto at favorable prices.

[eki912]

Guys , cool down ! ;)

Check out ( www.goldlinebrakes.com ).

I know that caliper rebuilding CAN be a DIY job. Just simply I DO NOT have the time or energy to do it.I have so many other things to do....

Also not looking for any BLING for the calipers , just a proper coating.Close to original.And since they are off now , dont want to put them back with out doing something for them.

I have to do some thinking..... :mad: , as this goldline is not cheap ( quality never is.... ) , and shipping alone will cost a fortune.

Decisions , decisions.....

THX guys !

e k i

[BlackTalon]

But on the earlier cars, the calipers were not painted or coated... (as far as I know, at least)

I guess the long and the short of it is that people here are not familiar with Goldline, and most would not ship their calipers off to be rebuilt. Not sure why shipping would cost a fortune though -- can't be more then $25/ each way for UPS. If you go the Goldline route, take pictures, etc. and so others have the info in the future.

[Rick Lee]

You can find the time and energy to rebuild your calipers. It's a half-day job and an easy one at that. The rebuild kits cost around $10 per caliper. I pulled mine off my SC at 11:00pm on a Friday night, took them to Jim Richards house the next day, used his air compressor, installed the new seals and went home to put the calipers back on my car. Longest part of the process was bleeding them. If you're made of money, sure, send them to WA. But that doesn't absolve you of still having to bleed at least twice when you put them back on your car. There are plenty of local places that do powdercoating. I think a powdercoating a set of 993 calipers runs around $250 at ASC in Manassas.

[}{arlequin]

it is possible to just not be "in the mood" for rebuilding calipers.... i know i wasn't interested in doing that. i got lucky on ebay when i found a set like mine that was already rebuilt, and it was a much quicker turnaround time for the car to be up and running as well. (ended up selling them anyway, but that's another story)

[Lupin..the..3rd]

I'm in the process of rebuilding some dual-piston Audi calipers that are going onto a VW. The part I can't figure out is how to get the darned pistons out! :? I can push them in easily enough with a C clamp but how do I get them out?? I imagine that compressed air might help but alas, that's something I don't have. A puller might work but I'd be afraid to damage the recessed area where the dust boot fits into...

Any ideas are appreciated!

[cmartin]

Compressed air is the trick. Use a piece of wood as a stop, you dont want pistons flying around the garage.

[Rick Lee]

And keep your fingers well away from the pistons when you use air. Air is the only way to go.

[BlackTalon]

you can use a bike pump to get the 'compressed air' -- you don't need a 125 psi compressor...

[DinFtown]

If you need stuff powder coated, I use High Tech Powdercoating out of boonsboro, MD for all my brake stuff. I get a good rate, and they are top notch. $250 a set is way over priced in my opinion, but I do normally have more then one set done at a time. He has a wide range of colors, and thing from candy colors, to metalics. I will put up some pics of mt motor parts he has right now, in a day or so. I just did everything black but it should still look good, and clean when its on the car.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Thanks for tips guys. David: I used the 12v air compressor I use for tires, Rick: I kept my fingers well away and they emerged unscathed. Mr. Martin: I used a piece of wood and avoided projectile pistons.

Pistons came right out. Dorki's are the best! :D

[Trak Ratt]

you can use a bike pump to get the 'compressed air' -- you don't need a 125 psi compressor...Since we’re doing a mini tech on caliper rebuilds… don’t forget to cover the caliper with a rag before applying presure :shock:

[Jase007]

*note

Sometimes a compressor won't get the piston out ... even with BIG pressure. I had an issues with one of my 356 calipers [it laughed at the bicycle pump :lol:] ... went to ASG, they couldn't get it with their compressor ... brought it home.

Did a little research and hooking up a pump grease gun into where the bleeder screws [I believe it is standard NPT thread ... or at least the same as your standard grease gun hose end - spring-ball cap removed] pumped the piston out. Have to use a vice to compress / block off some holes and the bleeders from the other caliper to plug up bridge line holes after removing them [I replace]. Makes a little bit of a mess but .... you are going to clean them up anyhow.

If you do this ... find out why the piston was stuck. In my case, it was corrosion on the inside caliper bore edge where the piston doesn't rest but has to pass through. The dust seals get toasted pretty quick on a track car [none left on mine after a couple of events] and the moisture attacks this "lip" outside [closer to center] of the sealer ring around the piston / puck. What do you expect from calipers built in 1964 .... ;)

Jase

[eki912]

I sent them goldline , they said they will do a better job..... and as I new that they CAN do it. Saved me the trouble of looking for another place....

I will post pics , when they come back.Also will tell you how they do perform after the rebuild.

e k i

[eki912]

I have forgotten to tell you the end result.....

After sending all my calipers to Goldline , for a complete rebuild & new paint , they came back , ... a long while ago.
They looked absolutely beautiful !!
It was a shame to put them back , they would have deserved a place in a glass cabinet....
And after bleeding the brakes , I drove my car to inspection , and they put the car on a brakedyno. The results were amazing !!! And the car passed the braketest with flying colors!

It was not cheap , though. But I have a feeling , good work never is....:bang:

I am one happy customer , and will recommend their rebuilding service for anyone.

[}{arlequin]

pics?

[eki912]

I have some pics , on my home PC.

Before & after ....

I cant load those here , my dial up is soooooo slow & my firewall prevents it happening to this site :bang: , dont know why ?

If you want those , Please PM your e-mail address , and I will send some photos.

e k i

[William Miller]

I had thought about this a few times, but for some reason, it never comes to mind when i'm actually doing the job.

What if you leave the caliper in place, remove the pads and press the pedal slowly? This would get the pistons almost all the way out and keep them from shooting across the room ect.

I think it could be done one corner at a time too.

Any thoughts?

[Jazzbass]

I had thought about this a few times, but for some reason, it never comes to mind when i'm actually doing the job.

What if you leave the caliper in place, remove the pads and press the pedal slowly? This would get the pistons almost all the way out and keep them from shooting across the room ect.

I think it could be done one corner at a time too.

Any thoughts?
That's how I usually do it - I have a helper push the pedal while I watch the pistons. Air pressure has nothing on hydraulic pressure when removing pistons, esp stuck ones.

[sithot]

I and 2 other friends have used White Post Restorations in White Post VA. My car is a '67 Normal. One very particular friend owns a '65 356SC and the other gent has a 1971 911-S in the process of a restoration. He's tough too. The work is beyond reproach.
New S/S pistons, new seals and you can buy their brake pads while you're at it. My car is a street only queen.
I also did my rotors on all four wheels. Paragon Performance did right by me. I shopped because the solid rears were an issue (to find) at one time. Porsche lists them for around $260 per side.

Tom

[eki912]

Trying to upload ( about time... ) , from wifes laptop...

Yippee !!! Made it , after some thinking....
I am not worried about them being discolored after driving , as I dont race it.In a 912E racing is , well , not that important.
They came out a bit too shiny , but when they were mounted , behind the fuchs , they are not that visible.
And the dyno results were pretty good.