rebuilding rear calipers...

[funnyguy]

besides the PP article.... are there any pics of rebuilding the rear calipers. I just got my rebuild kits in from PP.

------------------
Mike Brancato
AIM: funnyguy00
ICQ: 9348858

'76 914 2.0 rust machine

[HMeeder]

Mike;

Do you have the rebuild kits with the missing seals? If I remember right, PP's don't have what you may need. Please take a moment to ensure that you have the right kits. You will be ever so aggravated if you get deep into your project, only to have to wait a week while you scramble to get the rest of the stuff you need.

My $.02

------------------
Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile

[funnyguy]

The kits came with about 4 seals and two metal circular things as well. Should there be more?


------------------
Mike Brancato
AIM: funnyguy00
ICQ: 9348858

'76 914 2.0 rust machine

[HMeeder]

Mike;

The complete kit will contain the following items:

2 Metal dust boot clips (the 2 that come in the kit however are too large for the application. You can either cut the new clips to size or re-use the old ones)

2 piston seals
2 piston dust boots
2 caliper half fluid guide seals
1 inner adjuster seal
1 outer adjuster seal

Those last 4 items are the ones that are typically missing from the rebuild kits.

I have spoken with Wayne about why he sells incomplete kits. His position is that the official Porsche manuals do not call for the calipers to be rebuilt. If you want to fix the things you have to go to Porsche and buy the replacements.

The kits that others sell contain those extra 4 seals and those have been added to the kit to complete them. Wayne says that he has not evaluated the quality of the additional seals and doesn't feel comfortable including them in the kits he sells.

So my final analysis is that Pelican will sell you a rebuild kit that really doesn't do what you want it to. I buy and recommend kits from German Parts and Restoration 800 321-5432. They run for $20 and have all the parts you will need.

I would suggest that you return the other kits to PP, maybe with a friendly note saying that you really need a complete kit. There has been more than person who has bought the kit from PP, gotten halfway through the rebuild only to find that they can't finish it. This has made for some frustration and anger directed at PP.

Good luck

------------------
Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile

[Wayne 962]

That's not quite my position. There is no 'official rebuild kit' for the 914 calipers. This topic has come up many, many times on the BBS.

The ATE kit that we sell is actually for the 911 calipers, as the o-rings are the same. As such, it does not contain the o-rings for splitting the calipers (don't do this) and the adjuster o-rings for the parking brake (they don't have this on the 911).

I have not been able to evaluate anyone else's kit so I can't speak for the quality of the 'substitution seals' that they place in there. We have not found a properly sized o-ring rated at the proper specification for use on braking systems. I do not want to stuff 'any old o-ring' into my kits - only to have them fail. As such, the kits contain the ATE OEM factory replacement seals only at this time.

You're more than welcome to return the kits if you are unhappy with them.

Thanks,

Wayne

[DDS]

My .02 - I bought the GPR kits rather than from pelican for the reasons above, and had as set of ATE kits from teh local dealer. The GPR kits O-rings for the pistons were smaller than thoes from ATE, and while they may work they didn't install as easily and appear to be the wrong size. GPR should use the ATE units. I've been meaning to tell them this, so please let them know.

Hey Wayne - the GPR kit doesn't include the frost plug or the grease washer for the e-brake actuator. WRT splitting the calipers, as you know that's the only way to do a proper rebuild, so we're stuck with that or a big bill for rebuilt (how'd THEY rebuild them?) units.

[Doug M]

I have always split the calipers with good results and used the old o rings. everybody always says dont do it!! It is the only way to blow the piston out if it is really stuck because you can lay it flat.I would like to use new o rings but like you said they dont come in the kit.
Doug

[yoh!!!]

I also have two incomplete rebuild kits sitting at home. Somehow I wonder if someone on this discussion board knows about a source for O-rings in different dimensions, suitable to be installed in an application where they get in contact with DOT 3 break fluid. I can’t tell form first hand experience, but I belief that they are just normal O-rings made of a particular material, and I think they are not oddly shaped.
May be there is hope!!!


------------------
'74 Porsche 914 2.0l
'90 VW Vanagon 1.7l Diesel

[HMeeder]

Well, the greatest thing about this forum is that I always learn something. One thing I learned is to be careful when using someone else's words out of context. My apologies to Wayne if I made it appear that PP misleads anyone with the kit they offer or are purposely selling an incomplete kit. That is definitely not the case. His commitment to his company and his product cannot be questioned and I respect his decision to only offer something that he can be sure is safe and conforms to the quality standards that Porsche is famous for.

However, when the car is bleeding, it needs to be fixed. I sometimes feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I bought a 914 because I wanted a car that I could work on myself and wouldn't break my piggy bank in the process. I find the cost of rebuilt rear calipers to be way exorbitant. Without the availability of the substitution seals, I would be sidelined for unacceptable amounts of time. Perhaps the quality of the seals may not be up to 'spec'. My experience with GPR's kits so far has been excellent and I have had no problems. As the lawyers are so fond of saying, 'your experience may vary.'

This discussion does bring up an interesting question. Porsche got the original seals from somewhere, and since the calipers are still available, where the hell are they getting the seals from? I assume that some of the rebuilt calipers sold by 'other vendors' are being rebuilt using the seals that don't conform to spec.

BTW how can you avoid splitting the calipers? I can't see how it would be possible to get at the adjuster seals without splitting them. They are a major PITA under the best of conditions.

I have also never had a problem returning anything to PP. The service and turnaround has been the best I have ever experienced and I love doing business with these guys. They are true professionals!



------------------
Herb
'72 1.7 Tangerine 'Teen
'74 2.0 Red Rustmobile

[DDS]

I think the OEM seals are from ATE. (MFR of may Porsche calipers) They are readily available, that's why I couldn't understand why GPR used the others.