W108 - 1972 280SE 4.5 - Need help with brake calipers -- Kinda urgent!

[Baxterdown]

Hi guys,

My car's in the shop getting new king pins installed in front and the mechanic broke the knob used to bleed the brake calipers. They tried drilling the piece out and the tool that they used broke in there too!

The mechanic is telling me that the only option is to buy new calipers. Pelican Parts doesn't carry them and I just looked on fleabay. Used ones average $180. New ones are $280 each!

Any ideas on how to get that piece out of there??? This is what it looks like right now.

Please help!

Jose

[engatwork]

Get caliper to machine shop or try to drill it out till it will collapse and can be picked out. I would suggest running a bottom tap down in the hole once you get old drain plug out.

Bleed it good to hopefully, push any debris out.

[R72benz]

Had the same problem with the bleed fitting on one of my calipers. I just purchased two rebuilt front calipers from O'Rielly's on-line. Had to wait a week to get them, but they are a perfect match and cost much less than you quoted. Give that a try (my apologies to Pelican Parts, I did search them first).
Ron
Current hobby: 72 280se 4.5

[vandor]

A machine shop should be able to get them out.
BTW, remanufactured calipers from a large online auto parts site (name has rock and auto in it :-) are in the $50-75 range.

[Baxterdown]

Guys, I cannot thank you enough!!!!

[meltedpanda]

reman is the way to go , but replace both at the same time. you should be albe to get that out with a reverse tap but the threds may be compromised. It can be done with care

[Baxterdown]

Hey guys, UPDATE:

I went back to the mechanic this morning. They had already tried taking it out with a left-hand drill bit but nothing. I decided to have the calipers rebuilt (R+R) by a very reputable local shop. They will be ready this afternoon.

On to the next thing!

Jose