W123 front Brake Calipers. run around at auto parts store - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jarod · #31 12-13-2015, 11:16 AM

Charmalu: that is the exact area I ground down, and the caliper looks identical, same color, etc.

I agree that it shouldn't need to be modified to fit, in my case I didn't have much choice, if I had more time before my trip I would have dealt with it differently.

tyl604 · #32 12-13-2015, 01:09 PM

They may not exactly be giving you the runaround. I bought a caliper from Pep Boys and decided to have them install. Although it was spec'd for an 81 300SD, it did not fit; they sent it back and got another - did not fit either. It ended up that Pep Boys could not produce the right one even though it was in their books; we finally went to an Atlanta foreign car parts called Baker Auto and the first one they produced fit and was installed by Pep Boys.

So there must have been slight changes that MB made to the calipers from 1981 to 1985 (was that the last year?) but were subtle enough that places like Pep Boys did not find out.

t walgamuth · #33 12-13-2015, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyl604

They may not exactly be giving you the runaround. I bought a caliper from Pep Boys and decided to have them install. Although it was spec'd for an 81 300SD, it did not fit; they sent it back and got another - did not fit either. It ended up that Pep Boys could not produce the right one even though it was in their books; we finally went to an Atlanta foreign car parts called Baker Auto and the first one they produced fit and was installed by Pep Boys.

So there must have been slight changes that MB made to the calipers from 1981 to 1985 (was that the last year?) but were subtle enough that places like Pep Boys did not find out.

I think the calipers were cast or machined wrong. I don't think mb changed them slightly.

tyl604 · #34 12-13-2015, 02:39 PM

Yes, that could be too. The Pep Boys calipers absolutely would not fit.

About two months later I had them replace the other rear caliper and the experience was exactly the same. Ended up buying it from Baker Auto too.

Alastair · #35 12-13-2015, 02:55 PM

Worth remembering, M.B. updated the Pads and Calipers in 1980.

Pre '80, used a 'thin' pad and caliper to suit.

Post 80-86 they used a Thicker pad and a caliper to suit the extra thickness of pad....

A 'Thin' Pre 80 pad will fit a Post 80 caliper but Not vice/versa.

Guess how I found THAT out!

charmalu · #36 12-17-2015, 04:37 AM

Yesterday I stopped by O`Reilly`s to see what was up with my cores, since I returned the Calipers that did not fit.
I got my money returned for what I paid for the 2 Calipers.
They were $62.99 ea. X 2 = $125.98

If I did not have the cores to give them, then it would have been $87.99 for each Caliper. So the core charge is $25.00

They owe me $50 for the cores or give me the old one`s back.

Talked to the manager yesterday, and he sort of blows me off telling me I got the calipers for the price I did because I turned
in the cores. then said he was busy and had a conference call. WTF

I also mentioned to him, Iam on a MB Forum, and there are a few other guys that had this same problem. Said he had never
heard of it, and sold these to other MB owners and never a problem.
There are a few old 123`s around, think I`ll ask some of them if they had any problems etc...

Maybe these type of Calipers just have to wear in?

I stop by NAPA and pick up the ATE Calipers I ordered from them.
Wadaya know? They are actually ATE and have the MB Star on them.
Their price was a bit more at $67.97 ea and a $37.78 Core charge for $105.75 X 2 = $211.50 plus tax.

Today I head out to the shop to install the Calipers, new brake hoses and finally get the Alternator bolted up.
Oh, it was 10deg this morning, so wait till it eventually gets to 30. Built a fire in the shop wood stove, so at least the stove
is warm. It`s a big tin building, 40 x 50, so really didn`t heat it up all that much. Also using my HF Heat gun to warm my toes and hands warm.

It`s nice when the parts fit and the Rotors actually turn w/o binding.
I cleaned up the bolts on the wire wheel and put blue stuff on them and torqued them down.
Now need to bleed them and can`t find my motive bleeder. When I do, the MB adaptor cap for the MC disappeared some where in my move last year,
it`s out there some where. The universal adaptor is on it, so last time I used it was around 3yrs back replacing the MC on the Datsun. The damn thing leaks,
so I finally gravity bleed the brake lines.

Put the front wheels back on and torque them, drop the car back down and start the engine.
Then hear this ting ting ting. The alt fan blades it slightly hitting the body.
I swapped a 2 belt pulley for the one belt one. Iam using a 300D alt.
So slightly tweek ea blade with a Screw Driver and all is good. Start eng and sounds good.

In the morning we`ll give her a test drive and see how it goes. may have to rebleed the brakes with my Wife pumping the peddle.
need the car in the afternoon to take my 94 yr old Mom to the DR.

Charlie

tyl604 · #37 12-17-2015, 09:07 AM

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Stretch · #38 12-17-2015, 09:11 AM

Well I'm glad to know my new ATEs will probably fit without trouble - fingers crossed eh?

fahrvergnugen · #39 12-18-2015, 12:48 PM

I started work at my store, and they had said something about there being trouble with A1 Cardone, I think that is the brand you bought, correct? I haven't had a chance to get the full story of what they did; the point is, they no longer actively stock Cardone stuff, and are moving on to other suppliers. I'll try to get the full story.

It also sounds as if your manager is not very helpful; reporting that here is one of the few positive powers of the internet! You might call the customer service number below and see what can be done if you are not satisfied...

1-800-755-6759

Zacharias · #40 12-18-2015, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyl604

They may not exactly be giving you the runaround. I bought a caliper from Pep Boys and decided to have them install. Although it was spec'd for an 81 300SD, it did not fit; they sent it back and got another - did not fit either. It ended up that Pep Boys could not produce the right one even though it was in their books.

I had not noticed this thread before.

Beware, I had this issue when I ordered calipers last year from my local indy euro parts store. She flagged issues with some of the rebuilders' catalogue info, when she saw that the part number they were using was the same as other models (that definitely have other style calipers). Even after she called the supplier and tried to knock it into their heads, we had to order stuff in twice.

The problem is that they use & confuse "Mercedes 300 series" as a catalogue reference and use it for a mix of parts from (I am guessing) w116, w123 and w126 cars that are badged "300". The biggest problem is with SD vs. D.

I have also noticed this problem at generic web parts vendor sites (which I avoid like the plague, but I happened to be looking for something last year that was out of stock everywhere so I went further afield than usual).

Junkman · #41 12-18-2015, 04:53 PM

Note to others: Cardone is problematic. Buy locally in case you have to return. There are 2 brands "ATE" and another listed in the FSM. Take whichever you can buy in sets. The cheaper brand works fine. O'Reiley may give the expensive one at the cheaper price to get you out the door.

Note to self: Keep cores until I'm sure that both calipers are working well ie don't drop the cores when picking up remans.
Compare with old parts before walking out the door. Rears have been boxed as fronts. (rears are smaller) Left has been boxed as right or vice versa. Bleed screw ALWAYS at top.

charmalu · #42 12-21-2015, 03:23 PM

Here is a little follow up on my Caliper issue.
I just got off of talking to O`Reilly`s customer service. I explained the whole situation from ordering them, and then not fitting correctly, binding on the Rotor.
And the back and forth frustration talking to the various employees and the Manager not returning my core deposit.

Customer service said they need to either return the cores, or pay me the core charge.
They would talk to the MGR. and I would get my money back.
I don`t understand why the MGR. kind of blew me off like he did.

Craig at customer service is a really nice guy and helpful. 1-888-327-7153.

Couple nights ago we took the 240 for a run up to Carson City (20+ miles) and some running around. Brakes work great.
I mentioned that I gravity bled them, and after a little working of the peddle to get the Caliper pistons settled in, they work great.

I have put a couple hundred miles on it so far.

I have the Alternator finally working w/o the light coming on.
Mentioned I replaced the VR first, then used an alt. off the parts car with a good VR, and finally
after swapping the 2 belt pulley from a 300D for a single one,
she is working great.
So guess we went from a 55 to a 65 amp one.

Sitting in the shop for 2 plus weeks, now the pass door won`t close w/o slamming it. This is a first.
So either needs the Latch mechanism greased up or it is the Striker.
Then last night locked up my Wife`s Purse in the Trunk, then it wouldn`t unlock.

and she has all the money.

Get home put her in the shop (car) used a heat gun and working the key and she opened.
Needs a shot of kroil again.

So dang windy today, probably knock me on my a$$ before getting out there. LOL

Charlie

t walgamuth · #43 12-21-2015, 03:25 PM

Good work Charlie!

fahrvergnugen · #44 12-21-2015, 05:47 PM

Glad to here OR is doing what they can, that manager sure seems to be going about it the wrong way.

barry12345 · #45 12-21-2015, 06:18 PM

I have seen too many people promoted to manager positions that seem to have an attitude issue. No brains at all either usually.

They actually do not own the enterprise and any customer issues resolved easily and properly do not come out of their own pockets. I guess you never can really fix stupid.