Are reman calipers OEM?
 

I ordered a pair of remanufactured front calipers for the 300E since mine are borderline seized. I assumed that remanufactured meant that the frames would be original Mercedes parts with aftermarket seals and intended to ask if I should replace the seals with real OEM seals. When I did a search to see if anyone had already answered this question I see posts which lead me to think the remanufactured calipers available may not use original Mercedes frames. Is this correct? The ones I ordered were remanufactured by Fenco.

Most "REMAN" calipers aren't remans at all but really are "RESEALED" calipers.

They clean them-up & install new o-rings.

DOUBT that any "aftermarket" calipers for that car exist.

THANK YOU. I was worried that I was wrong in that assumption. Do you think the replacement o-rings are satisfactory, or should I replace them with OEMs since I already have a set?

Why would you trust your CAR'S brakes to any aftermarket product?

Never buy the "cheapest" parts for any car's braking system!

OK, the remans get resealed. That was the opportunity here. If the housings are original Mercedes parts and I already have a set of OEM seals, with a little additional work I can install a set of fully rebuilt Mercedes calipers without having to grind the corrosion off the originals.

I wouldn't mess with the remanufactured calipers...

My experience with remanufactured calipers [Porsche/BMW] is that the remanufacturer will take the OEM housing, clean it up like new - replace the seals [all rubber components]

I would go with the unit as-is...

kgl

I've had no problems with my remanufactured calipers. There really aren't that many remanufactuers (consolidation) and they definitely have the financial resources to pay for rubber mold tooling and special compounds to meet or exceed the OEM specs. I'm sure that their liability carrier would settle for nothing less!

So if I replace the seals with OEM I have a cleaned up like new set of OEM calipers. Just what I wanted. I forgot to mention I had Autozone order these from Fenco (remanufacturer) for $42 each side. In my book that is better than a half-day trip to the junkyard for $25/side calipers and another half-day cleaning up the housings.

You are probably right but I bought these seals before I knew the old calipers were seized, and if I don't use them now, they will sit in a closet for a few years. Why not go OEM all the way, especially with MB Doc's recomendation?

Just my 2, but I won't install re-mans in my car or a customer’s car for that matter.
Look at the cost of the reman, and then keep in mind these calipers are being shipped offshore for the work. Add up the cost for transport, tearing down and re-building the caliper etc and there isn't much $ insuring that they do a first rate job. Personally, I don't trust my safety to some off shore 25 cents an hour workforce.

Even if calipers are frozen I’ve found that holding the non-frozen side w/ a c clamp and using the cars hydraulics to do the work gets them apart. If it's being particularly stubborn turn the car on. Just be Careful..Those pistons will fly out w/ some wicked force.

Just did a set today as a matter of fact:)

Jonathan