Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:44:18 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rebuilt ATE Calipers Use a Gasket Between Halves? (Pics)
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90904142226u8b5db04vd0f888ae8e285ab@mail.gmail.com>
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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
On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:26 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I had a new rebuilt caliper fail. A *big* leak at the join. Big enough
> that brake pedal slowly sank when held down. The replacement caliper
> had "Neugon" on box. ( spelling could be incorrect. i.e. Nuegon. i
> googled for both spellings, but no applicable results). Vendor said
> failed caliper from same manufacturer.
>
> Pic of failed caliper:
>
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/CaliperFailed.jpg/CaliperFailed-full;init:.jpg
>
> New replacement rebuilt caliper:
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/CaliperNew.jpg/CaliperNew-full;init:.jpg
>
> Somehow, the join at halves on replacement caliper look better or at
> least original. i.e. no gasket used?
>
> When ATE calipers were new, was there a gasket between the halves? My
> gut says "no".
>
> IF not....
>
> As an ATE caliper gets rebuilt over and over, do they get to the point
> that the mating surfaces need a gasket?
>
> If gasket is needed in rebuilts near the end of their useful life,
> would one want to avoid purchasing one?
>
> Personally, I'm considering returning the driver side caliper. It
> appears identical to one that failed.
>
>
> 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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