On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 6:44 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Neil, Hi
>
> � Rebuilding brake calipers is frowned upon, though obviously it *is* done.
> You are seeing why it's not recommended to rebuild calipers, at least that's
> the rap I hear around all the roadracing guys I hang out with,� Personally,
> I don't know that much about ATE but I'm infinitly acquainted with Brembos.
> I certainly wouldn't (didn't) bet my life on anyone (myself included) being
> meticulous enough with the fussy job of re-building� brake calipers.� The
> tolerances have to be very precise, the parts have to be kept really clean,
> the specs. closely followed.� The actual condition of everything�inside the
> castings?� I'd want to have them ex-rayed or ultra sounded or something to
> rule out structural flaws, too...not something I (and many others)�would
> choose to�leave to a stranger.� I bet they don't give much of a crap down
> there in Matamoros�or Tijuana, or�where ever the re-build factory is..
> �� How much are you saving by not replacing your calipers (if indeed the old
> ones are bad) with new rather than rebuilt?� Again, dunno that much about
> ATE..but your brakes..kinda important.
> � Don Hanson
>

I totally agree.

Didn't rebuild due to a lack of confidence I guess. And due to some
ignorance. Now I know.

The Teves (ATE) calipers that I took off my '81 Westy are still here
at home. Considering the value of an ATE core (on paper they were more
than the rebuild) I might take one with me on my trip. That and a
rebuild kit.

AFAIK, these aren't available new anymore. They just get rebuilt, or
in some cases, schmengied back together, over and over.

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