126 brake calipers - european - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jeffrylebowski · #1 05-05-2009, 02:40 AM

I have a seized piston on my RR caliper. Looking at rebuilt parts on the web. A mercedes mechanic told me the vehicle has "European" suspension as the calipers are located towards the front side of the vehicle. ie. the caliper on the right rear is situated on the right side of the disc. Am I in need of a certain brand of caliper?

Total bummer as I planned to be back up and running in my 87 560 sel today. Classic case of a simple job of pads an rotors getting much more complex.

lkchris · #2 05-05-2009, 01:59 PM

Well, via your VIN number you ought to know whether yours is a "grey market" car.

Why not sign up to Mercedes' electronic parts catalog and check for yourself.
http://epc.startekinfo.com

If it will recognize your VIN, it will provide you the part numbers required.

pawoSD · #3 05-05-2009, 04:31 PM

Thats weird, every euro W126 I've ever seen has the calipers in the usual place. Perhaps yours has a super rare sport suspension or something?? I've seen 560SEL euros....500SE....500SEL.....all had it like normal. Interesting. Show us some pics of the suspension! I am curious!

hookedon210s · #4 05-05-2009, 05:01 PM

It has the antilift feature which helps keep the rear of the car from lifting under braking thereby limiting weight transfer to front and allowing the rear brakes to do more braking thereby improving brake performance. IIRC, the brake caliper is mounted to a subassembly which pivots on the wishbone. This subassembly has a link which attaches to the body.
When the brakes are applied, the braking forces try to rotate the caliper clockwise (looking at the right side wheel from the right) but since the assembly is anchored to the body the clockwise motion pulls the rear of the vehicle downward (or something like that). I owned a Euro 450SEL with this feature and it really did work.
You need access to Euro vehicles on EPC to determine which calipers you have ($12 for a year and not a bad investment for Euro vehicle owners). Mark

pawoSD · #5 05-05-2009, 05:30 PM

Is the anti-lift the same setup as the anti-squat geometry? Or is it a different setup?

hookedon210s · #6 05-05-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Is the anti-lift the same setup as the anti-squat geometry? Or is it a different setup?

I believe it's connected but I'm not sure (failing memory)

Mark

jeffrylebowski · #7 05-06-2009, 02:27 PM

Very strange indeed as this is a California car. Finding the calipers is going to be an issue I presume.

hookedon210s · #8 05-06-2009, 02:50 PM

Check your private messages. Mark

jeffrylebowski · #9 05-06-2009, 03:13 PM

Here's a look

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/tech-help/67508d1241637151-126-brake-calipers-european-benz.jpg

pawoSD · #10 05-06-2009, 03:18 PM

interesting, I pulled the rear end components from a euro 500SEL a couple weeks ago in the yard, it had a similar suspension setup, but the calipers were in the normal place....it did have the big thick arm from the sway bar and such.

jeffrylebowski · #11 05-06-2009, 03:41 PM

I can't get the inside piston to retract at all. With the outside one pushed back into place, I c clamped it in with an old pad and stepped on the brake. The inside one moved out a little bit more but would not budge going back. Now here is the stupid part and I don't know why I did this but a little bit later I stepped on the brake and did not have the clamp on. Now both pistons were out and I tore the rubber dust shield over the functioning piston. Could I have done any damage to the MC? Anyway, I was easily able to push the outside piston back in, but that inside one is stuck. Should I try bleeding out some fluid from the bleeder valve to check if it's a swollen line?

pawoSD · #12 05-06-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrylebowski

Should I try bleeding out some fluid from the bleeder valve to check if it's a swollen line?

Its worth a try. If the calipers are that rare, it may be cheaper to bring them somewhere and have a mechanic rebuild them rather than trying to find replacements....thats what I would do. Or I'd give it a go on my own at rebuilding them.

hookedon210s · #13 05-06-2009, 08:52 PM

From looking at EPC I surmise that the 1986 and 1987 US 560 SELs had anti-lift/anti-squat rear suspensions installed as standard equipment. This necessitated the use of different brake calipers---perhaps to increase the piston size to permit increased brake application from reduced forward weight transfer under braking but certainly to reorient the bleeder screws due to the relocation of the rear calipers ahead of the axle. For instance, this site has rebuilt rear calipers for a 1987 560SEL for $84 or so each and doesn't specify any restrictions on the type of suspension, etc. Just my $.02. Mark

jeffrylebowski · #14 05-06-2009, 10:28 PM

I sent Mark a message on this but if anyone else has a thought on it that would be nice. Could it be as simple as using a rear left caliper from a "normal" (caliper located towards back of vehicle) on the right hand side for my car? It seems as though this feature is extremely rare.

The Dude.