Brakes

[TVRIK]

Anyone got a rear brake caliper for an 88 350i?
Not sure yet, but think I may need one, bit of smoke coming from that area after about 5 mins of driving, assuming the pistons has seized failing that can ya get em reconditioned?

Rik

[Yatesy350i]

Google Biggred

I sent mine there they come back fully rebuilt for about 140 the pair. I was very please with the finish on mine.

New handbrake calipers available from Ward Engineering for about £35 each exchange.

Email me if you want some pics. Can't post due to proxy ipad1!

Both my calipers had the inside piston totally seized!

Karl

[TVRIK]

Thanks Karl, when you say handbrake calipers, I'm assuming you mean back Callipers?

Cus that sounds great, I'll look em up, it appears only one has seized, but may do both while I'm at it.

Oh by the way, I have the same problem with the iPad 1 my iPhone 4 uploads ok though, just thought I'd mention in case you have iPhone 4 and didn't realise.

Thanks again mate

Rik

[TVRIK]

Yatesy350i said:

Google Biggred

I sent mine there they come back fully rebuilt for about 140 the pair. I was very please with the finish on mine.

New handbrake calipers available from Ward Engineering for about £35 each exchange.

Email me if you want some pics. Can't post due to proxy ipad1!

Both my calipers had the inside piston totally seized!

Karl

Ignore me on the handbrake calliper bit, I know what ya mean now, it's gonna be the main calliper I'm needing.
Checked out those places all looks good!
Thanks again pal.

[njhucker]

My guess is corroded pistons. You can fit stainless ones with new seals. Easiest way to do it is to remove suspension and then split the calipers in situ. Each piston has a separate feed, so there are no capillaries or seals.

[TVRIK]

Ah right, are the pistons not difficult to remove while still one the car?

[njhucker]

If you split the calipers, you can do 1 piston on the bench, remove the disc, and do the other on the car. You can probably free the old pistons with water pump pliers. You can get the parts from Ward Engineering.

[dixiebabes]

I have 2 calipers i took off the wedge when i put the 4 pots on. They worked fine had to free the N/S one a while back as it was binding slightly, apart from that a bit of a clean up they are fine!

Dix

[TVRIK]

Yhat would be great mate if ya want sell em? Or one at least?
Email me if you prefer.

Rik

[dixiebabes]

TVRIK said:

Anyone got a rear brake caliper for an 88 350i?
Not sure yet, but think I may need one, bit of smoke coming from that area after about 5 mins of driving, assuming the pistons has seized failing that can ya get em reconditioned?

Rik

Read the question properly Dix. Sorry about that Rik.

Same thing happened to me a while back on the way to the BBWF pedal went straight to the floor so be careful. Tried to back the handbrake calipers off but didnt work. Good luck and sorry again.

Dix

[TVRIK]

No worries Dix, thanks for trying anyway, will speak to Ward or big red today, see what the crack is.

Thanks again

Rik

[utternutter]

ok, this is easy, you need a caliper repair kit which is just the seals for the pistons and the cover, they are from a jaguar xjs and the code is......SP4095, they are for sale on ebay for £11.50 delivered, the calipers can be removed without taking anything else apart, first remove the handbrake mechanism being careful not to bend the springs then the 2 bolts holding the calipers, its a awkward and fiddly job. i also replaced my pistons so i'd have no worries later on, again from ebay or jag specialist, hope this helps
Nick

[TVRIK]

Nice one Nick, that's great, will get the ordered now, at that price, even if for some reason it didn't work out, it's worth a try.
But I can't see why it wouldnt.
I have a mechanic friend I'm sure will be able to look at it?

Thanks again mate

Rik