DIY tune-up for the original MB calipers... - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #46 03-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rino

OK, thanks for the clarification... So doing it with our calipers is a bit more complicated. There have been others in this forum saying that they have DIYed their caliper rebuilding for their MBs and that it is not at all complicated... Maybe it is to some and not to others... My point, though, was to commend the good intentions of someone like the guy who took all the time to write that tutorial with a genuine desire to help others and to say that that type of mental attitude is also a very precious asset in a forum like this one.

Rino

As you can see for yourself, "complicated" is a relative term. I consider glow plug replacement on a 606 Turbo engine to be fairly straightforward at this time and schedule myself to do it ever 2 years. However you may think it is over your head.

Personally, if I haven't done it before, I wouldn't. An exception to that is if I have a qualified tech or someone who has done it before do it for me first and let me learn later or one of them standing by in case I get something FUBARed. Now, GPs, who cares? What is the worst thing that happens? The car doesn't start? That is optional. Stopping, well, that is mandatory. So, once again, do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

deerefanatic · #47 03-05-2007, 08:49 AM

This is a link to the caliper repair kit for the front Bendix caliper for my 82 SD.... http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/buymb/022406/quote.jsp?header=http://www.***************/header.txt&footer=http://www.***************/footer.txt&partner=buymb&year=1982&product=N1050-30632&application=000047560&clientid=buymbparts&cookieid=20I155P2O2150ISTY1&baseurl=http://www.***************/

Your car should be about the same price. That kit does 1 caliper.... So you'd need two kits..... Maybe the other's you've seen online are a set, for both calipers? That'd be about right price-wise.....

But, what you're saying about the funny wear pattern....... I think Tom W is right, you've got something else going on.........

rino · #48 03-05-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The only person stating that it was "not complicated" was Matt. [CUT]

OK, Brian, thanks for further clarifying... I do appreciate it... I am here to learn, therefore I ask questions, and am thankful to you guys who take the time to answer them. So it does appear like a very complicated endeavor, better left to professionals... (hopefully, no one else will come up and say it is an easy thing and confuse things further by so doing)

Thanks,
Rino

Surf-n-Turf · #49 03-05-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rino

OK, Brian, thanks for further clarifying... I do appreciate it... I am here to learn, therefore I ask questions, and am thankful to you guys who take the time to answer them. So it does appear like a very complicated endeavor, better left to professionals... (hopefully, no one else will come up and say it is an easy thing and confuse things further by so doing)

Thanks,
Rino

Ease of operation is always different among different people. What is easy for you may be very difficult for me and vice versa.

rino · #50 03-05-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

As you can see for yourself, "complicated" is a relative term. I consider glow plug replacement on a 606 Turbo engine to be fairly straightforward at this time and schedule myself to do it ever 2 years. However you may think it is over your head.

Not really. At first a simple oil change seemed like over my head... until I did it. Then came the transmission fluid... the diff fluid changes... Now brakes - I thought I could never do it by myself... but I have done it after receiving proper guidance.
So, I've learned the lesson: I am a fast learner... show me how to do it, and I'll do it.

Quote:

Personally, if I haven't done it before, I wouldn't.

You realize what you just said is a catch-22 type of thing: with that attitudinal approach there will never be a first time. Sometimes it pays off to be a bit adventurous... gather as much information as possible about something, then go ahead and do it...

Quote:

An exception to that is if I have a qualified tech or someone who has done it before do it for me first and let me learn later or one of them standing by in case I get something FUBARed. Now, GPs, who cares? What is the worst thing that happens? The car doesn't start? That is optional. Stopping, well, that is mandatory. So, once again, do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

Should I now be expecting a .44 mag slug coming my way any time soon? Or more precisely a .44 special slug... I hear he used .44 specials in his S&W mod. 29 .44 mag...

[I do understand your safety concerns, by the way...]

Rino

aklim · #51 03-05-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf-n-Turf

Ease of operation is always different among different people. What is easy for you may be very difficult for me and vice versa.

Without the proper tools and experience, it would be a PITA. We are also realizing that there is a safety issue there, aren't we?

Surf-n-Turf · #52 03-05-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Without the proper tools and experience, it would be a PITA. We are also realizing that there is a safety issue there, aren't we?

"Buckwheat say...safety O-Tay!"

aklim · #53 03-05-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rino

Not really. At first a simple oil change seemed like over my head... until I did it. Then came the transmission fluid... the diff fluid changes... Now brakes - I thought I could never do it by myself... but I have done it after receiving proper guidance. So, I've learned the lesson: I am a fast learner... show me how to do it, and I'll do it.

You realize what you just said is a catch-22 type of thing: with that attitudinal approach there will never be a first time. Sometimes it pays off to be a bit adventurous... gather as much information as possible about something, then go ahead and do it...

Yes, provided there is someone to show you the way.

Yes, of course. But I like to gather info and make sure there is an "out", so to speak. If I was in the middle of nowheres, I probably don't want to do it. If there is a backup plan, I'd go for it. IOW, I am not going to jump in foolishly. I'll make sure I have the tools, knowledge AND someone to help me if I get things FUBARed.

rino · #54 03-05-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerefanatic

This is a link to the caliper repair kit for the front Bendix caliper for my 82 SD.... http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/buymb/022406/quote.jsp?header=http://www.***************/header.txt&footer=http://www.***************/footer.txt&partner=buymb&year=1982&product=N1050-30632&application=000047560&clientid=buymbparts&cookieid=20I155P2O2150ISTY1&baseurl=http://www.***************/

Your car should be about the same price. That kit does 1 caliper.... So you'd need two kits..... Maybe the other's you've seen online are a set, for both calipers? That'd be about right price-wise.....

But, what you're saying about the funny wear pattern....... I think Tom W is right, you've got something else going on.........

I mean, did you read Brian's post? He scared the hell out of my caressing the idea of doing it myself perhaps in the future... I wasn't gonna do it at this time anyway and if necessary I'll go for a rebuilt one... I think that the price that was quoted to me (at pepboys, if I remember well) was 29.95 for ONE caliper, but I might be wrong... PP has one in their catalog for rear ATE at $22.50 (one caliper)...

If Tom W is right, then I should hold the rebuilts purchase and try to understand what the heck is going on instead...

Rino

rino · #55 03-05-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf-n-Turf

Ease of operation is always different among different people. What is easy for you may be very difficult for me and vice versa.

So what are you saying... that caliper rebuilding as a DIY project comes easy to and is doable by some, even with not much experience but the right disposition and talent for learning fast? I had felt that with proper instructions and tools I could do it, but then Brian warned me strongly about it...

Rino

rino · #56 03-05-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Yes, provided there is someone to show you the way.

Yes, of course. But I like to gather info and make sure there is an "out", so to speak. If I was in the middle of nowheres, I probably don't want to do it. If there is a backup plan, I'd go for it. IOW, I am not going to jump in foolishly. I'll make sure I have the tools, knowledge AND someone to help me if I get things FUBARed.

I am all with you... and that was the point in posting the link of that guy with the tutorial... the point being, how wonderful it would be if someone here were to do something similar to that... a tutorial, with precise explanation and pictures, on how to go about these types of "more complicated" sort of things... allowing for the so-called "backup plan," providing the knowledge about the procedures involved and the needed tools...

Guys, you (we) are here "to show the way..." that is what this forum is all about...
It's what makes places such as this one wonderful ones....

Rino

aklim · #57 03-05-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rino

So what are you saying... that caliper rebuilding as a DIY project comes easy to and is doable by some, even with not much experience but the right disposition and talent for learning fast? I had felt that with proper instructions and tools I could do it, but then Brian warned me strongly about it...

Rino

Do you have someone that can help you in case you get into a jam?

rino · #58 03-05-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Do you have someone that can help you in case you get into a jam?

Sure, YOU, and the others here... I'll put down my tools, go upstairs to the computer room, and start asking you questions...

Shouldn't it work that way with this forum?

Rino

aklim · #59 03-05-2007, 02:38 PM

If you really want to do it, I suggest you first get yourself an MB caliper and give it a whirl. I wouldn't do it on my daily driver. that way if we help you out and find out that it is FUBARed, you aren't walking. If you can get it working, do another one. Sell it as a pair of rebuilt calipers. I would never tell someone to do something like this on their daily driver. Getting the piston out with shop air is easy. All you have to do is find a garage or some place with shop air that will let you use it for a bit. I have been known to borrow tools and what not.

deerefanatic · #60 03-05-2007, 06:16 PM

Well, Let me tell you this, I have been running on those rebuilt calipers for over 24,000 miles and have had ZERO, (0) problems with my brakes.. In fact, I have had some serious hard emergency stops and never had an issue. And yes, I installed the heat shields without the tool. Did I get exactly .004 inch setback? Probably not. But I did set them back and at my last check, they are firmly in place and shielding the rubber bellows effectively.....

But, if you're not confident in doing it then DON'T! Whether you succeed at a job is more dependent on your confidence level then your skills and tools. If you're determined, you won't stop till you succeed.