Brake Calipers and Lines

[porschesam]

I'm in the process of restoring the braking system on my 72 W115 (220D).

First question. All four calipers are frozen and require rebuilding. Does it make more sense to rebuild the calipers or purchase remanufactured? If so, what is a good brand of remanufactured calipers?

Second question. A left rear brake line was damaged. It is a small hard line that connects the rear caliper to the flexible rubber line. Is this line available and does anyone have a part number? Picture below.

Would like to replace the master cylinder and maybe the brake booster.

[BWhitmore]

Any good brake shop should be able to make the brake line you need using your existng fittings. OR if you have a flaring tool you could make the brake line yourself. Rebuilding the brake calipers yourself will depend on the amount of corrison inside the cylinders. I can't recommend a specific remanufactured caliper but once again you might want to check with your local brake shop or independent MBZ repair shop to see which remanufacturer they use. You might also want to replace the flexible brake lines as they will collapse internally and cause real problems.

[Mike D]

Don't waste your time trying to rebuild your calipers. 99% of the time the pistons themselves are pitted.

Buy the "pre-loaded" calipers since you will get new hardware with them.

Almost all calipers are rebuilt by one company and reboxed. I believe Cardone is the major rebuilder.

Rock Auto is a good source as well as CarQuest, AutoZoo, CSK Auto, NAPA, etc.

Replace in axle pairs, not singly.

[meltedpanda]

Mike is correct - reman calipers are the way to go , I had luck with ATE/Cardone remans

Most napa stores carry all the brake lines in metric, find a small line that you need and bend yourself with a bending tool, sometimes you have to get creative and make the bends swoop more to fit , but you can do it