AP 4-pots, refurbishing / seals.

[Loaky]

I finally got myself a set of the red AP's, they're used, though not looking too bad. Though a seal is damaged. So I thought might be an ideal time to get the seal(s) changed and checked over before they're painted / fitted.

Anyone had any experience with doing such a task? Or know someone/somewhere local that would be clued up to do it?

Any help much appreciated guys!

[Matt Parker]

I haven't done any yet as they are fairly fidly due to not being able to get your hands in to remove/refit the pistons and seals.
If you are unsure about doing this or any doubts then get someone else to do them as you don't want to catching a seal as you refit the pistons and end up having fluid leaking out on you afterwards or the hassle of buying more seals.

[Loaky]

Definitely, I've kinda placed the job in the 'get a man in' category so I'll get them done by someone that knows what they're doing. It's just refurbishing callipers seems quite a specialist game, as everyone I've spoken to locally has given me a blank look, and wouldn't know where else to try.

Anywhere you think would be worth asking in Wellingborough? Or even Northamptonshire? I'd rather locally to save the hassle of sending them off.

[StevePem]

Hi Jon

Slightly further afield but i get my servicing etc done by BB Motors in Corby. They don't charge anything near main dealer prices but even at £50 an hour may still work out expensive though.

Would be worth giving them a call, see what they can do and they may even know of someone more local who could do it for you.

Keith Norris
BB Motors
01536 202207

Also, I know Nick uses a garage local to him but Nick is on holiday at the moment.

Cheers
Steve

PS, you could also ask John Norris on .org

[Loaky]

Thanks for the contact Steve, might be ok though.

I emailed Sheltune in Northampton today, who a friends garage sends theirs to. They got back to me and said £105 each to recondition them, I thought that's a shade under what I actually paid for the pair!

As it's just a dust seal that's gone, i've popped out the damaged one more easily than I thought! The piston seal looks OK from looking in. I'll get a kit from a place in Leamington on Friday then should be good to go. I'll change the dust seal and still have the bag of other seals in case I do need to replace any more. People at work said just be careful using anything sharp to get the seals out in case you damage the socket by scratching it, and if you need to lubricate anything to get them in use ONLY brake fluid. No one seems to think it's the most difficult of jobs.

I also noticed one of the wear plates is broken, replacement shouldn't be too much money, just the getting the allen key not to round off in the crappy old dirty bolt in there. Drilling it out isn't an option either as it'd mean splitting the caliper due to access, which is do-able but i'd rather not really.
Only choice if I can't get it out is to just attach a piece of metal the same thickness to replace the broken off piece, if you see what I mean.

[Rich]

Be very wary with Sheltune. I was conned by them when the rear offside calliper went on my 45. All I asked was for them to release a bolt as I had the parts I needed already. The next thing I know I've got a bill for £168 and a replacement calliper. When I asked them why they'd done it, they just said the old one was broken on removal and that I couldn't have driven the car away without it. Their workshop is 500 yards from my parents!

Martin Clifton could probably do it for you. Details are HERE.

Rich

[Loaky]

Ta Rich, handy to know experiences like that, well if none of the piston seals of gone I wont disturb them, i'll just drop in the new dust seal and change the bleed nipples and should be good to go. Pete Vick on .org has been running with a broken wear plate for 7 years so doesn't sound like that's worth getting worried about either.

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