ATE caliper dust boot too large?
 

So, I grabbed an ATE caliper off a W126 at the junk yard to practice rebuilding it. I got to the point where I need to install the dust boots and the metal ring that fits on the caliper side is too large to fit in the groove. The rebuild kit is ATE branded and I selected my model and year when ordering the kit. Either the kit I ordered is not correct or the caliper I salvaged is different than that what may be specified for my car. Is there a difference between ATE calipers on the W126 series?

The caliper I am referring to is from the front left wheel.

Thanks.

If you post some pics it would be a big help.
Of coures Mercedes has Special Tools for the Job.

Below is what I did on a w123 front ATE Brake; kit ATE.

With Parts it is always possible that some one Mislabled the Parts.

This is the only Pic I could find that showd the Heat Sheild before I pushed it in and it was actually in the backround and I had to enlarge it. Notice it is also slightly too large.

I'll take pics when I get home. I can tell you now that the metal heat shield is not present on the caliper I have. The kit does contain the heat shield, though.

The rear calipers for a wagon apparently have larger pistons/bore for the caliper. I wonder if the front calipers for the wagon have larger pistons too?

Pics:


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2345.JPG


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2346.JPG


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2347.JPG


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2348.JPG


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2349.JPG


http://www.eatoncomp.com/images/83me...s/IMG_2350.JPG

Any insight?

Answer
 

There are many front calipers for the W126.

Was it off a gasser or diesel ?
What year, 1981 - 1985 or 1986 - 1991 ?

.

Living in blissful ignorance, I thought all early model W126 ATE calipers were the same. It very well could have been off a gasser car. I'm pretty sure I took it off a first gen W126, though. I don't remember exactly what model the car was since I thought they were going to be the same calipers.

Since I am free most of tomorrow, I'll pop off the LF caliper on my car and see if the dust boot will fit via physical comparison. The question is: do I have the right rebuild kit for my car but the wrong test caliper, or is the rebuild kit wrong all together? That's what I aim to find out.

I pulled and rebuilt the FL caliper on my 300SD this weekend. The rebuild with fit perfectly. The caliper I pulled from the junk yard was different than what I had on my car.

Does the 300sd being a w126 car have front vented rotors or are they solid rotors like the w123?

Question
 

What was your total time start - cleanup for one caliper?


.

Stock rotors are solid.

Much longer than it should have. 4 hours give or take. That includes breaking a socket adapter and later a ratchet wrench. The tire shop put the lug nuts on VERY tight. Ratchet broke trying to get off the 19mm caliper bolts. Rebuilt caliper, replaced brake hose and bled all 4 wheels. The next one should only take about 90 minutes.

Rebuild ratchet - 15 minutes.