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