Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:48:16 -0400
Reply-To: VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Brake Expert Questions/PICS/Rant
In-Reply-To: <010b01c9bec0$a31b6690$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Those Nugeon's are about $52/each for ATE, $58 for Girling.
I've just never liked the fact that these "rebuilders" bead blast the
calipers. I know they want to make them look pretty, but the idea of
all that abrasive matter on a hydraulic part really bugs me.
We've always done our caliper rebuilds in-house. A $15 kit, a really
good cleaning, and you're ready to go!
Cheers,
Jeff
On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 2:24 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> fwiw,
> never had that happen.
> I'd have to say it was a fluke........
> or the quality of rebuilt parts is going down.
> what did they cost you ?
> I think vanagon rebuilt calipers exchange are about somewhere around 80 or
> 90 bucks......from my supplier, and that's guessing .
> Haven't bought one for a while.
> and for sure .......hard to imagine they wouldn't be hyper careful about
> rebuilding brake calipers.
> But then again .......some employees tend to not have a lot at stake about
> their work.......not like the owner of the company would, that's for sure.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 2:38 PM
> Subject: Brake Expert Questions/PICS/Rant
>
>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> New rotors, "factory" rebuilt ATE calipers, pads all messed up with brake
>> fluid.
>>
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/faultyaterebuiltcaliper
>>
>> Questions:
>>
>> Is this type of failure UNcommon? Do they pressure test rebuilds
>> before shipping? Any pointers on inspecting the new replacement
>> caliper before purchase?
>>
>> Vendor owns a Vanagon and took time to compare this "brand" of
>> rebuilds to offerings from local FLAPS. I trust the vendor. But if I
>> get another bum one, I'm afraid my head will pop off. <grin>
>>
>> Will brake parts cleaner *really* clean rotor back to "new"? Same for
>> new brake pads? (instinct says swap in new pads though)
>>
>> Rant on.
>>
>> I'm so f'g mad. I know that brake calipers get rebuilt over and over,
>> but this certainly speaks to me that I would have been better off
>> rebuilding my old calipers or biting the bullet by upgrading to more
>> modern parts. (big brake or post '86 style) Either that or stand over
>> the 420 influenced lacky that put these together and make sure
>> assembly and testing was correct and done. I can accept f'g up with
>> assembly of non life threatening parts like a cheap 12V light, but
>> brakes? Unacceptable.
>>
>> Thankfully, it happened close to home and not on my trip.
>>
>> Rant off.
>>
>> Of note for local North Vancouverites:
>>
>> Mark at Lonsdale Wheel Alignment, spotted leak. (I think he's the
>> owner.... Beetle Spa sends their alignment stuff to him) Something
>> felt hinky on route to shop. 1st thought: "MC? Nah. It's almost new".
>> 2nd thought: "pads bedding in?" I may not have looked for the leak. He
>> did me a solid. My Westy drives better too.
>>
>> John at VanWonder spotted leak super quick. I was able to describe
>> exactly what I did, which helped, but credit where credits due. Left
>> to my own designs, I would have assumed a "new" caliper just shouldn't
>> leak. I probably would have found it, but a second set of experienced
>> eyes really helped.
>>
>> Thanks for any help. :)
>>
>> Neil.
>> --
>> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>>
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>>
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
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