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Thread: Brake Caliper Rebuild

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Magnolia, TX, USA
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    My Cars
    1982 BMW 320i

    Brake Caliper Rebuild

    Brake calipers disassembled, cleaned, and sorted. Overall not a tough job, the air gun pressed out the pistons most of the way. Just a little wiggling with the vise grips to pull out two of them.
    Drivers side caliper was seized, and the passenger side caliper was dripping.Rebuild kit should fix any issues.
    I would have replaced all four pistons but they’re impossible to find! So I purchased the last two in stock from Rock Auto.
    I think the leak on the passenger caliper may be coming from the missing washer, highlighted in the attached photo.
    Anyone have ideas where to purchase one, or something similar? Seems like a small nylon washer so I’ll start at the hardware store.

    86373A6B-9D05-4B75-AB41-9CBFDC41DA10.jpg 9092C8B0-D13C-4533-8E18-897AA2F591E3.jpg B47454FE-DE0B-4F43-8352-66B384173E83.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    NC
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    2,126
    My Cars
    E30M3,318is,318i,E21320
    Those are the caliper halves orings. They are square edged not round. Make sure to find the correct ones or they will fail. Don't use a round standard looking oring.

    Can't find my old purchase receipt to see where I bought some. They are around, but there's also lots of "junk" on the net.
    Last edited by autox320; 05-18-2022 at 04:09 PM.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
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    1981 320i silver
    Eric sells those. He also sells expensive stainless pistons.

    Call us toll free!
    (855) STOP-101 (855-786-7101)
    Specialty Parts for Porsche® Automobiles

    EPDM Caliper 1/2 Seals

    https://www.pmbperformance.com/catal...91/9694936.htm

    - - - Updated - - -

    also

    https://www.pmbperformance.com/diy-c...ts--acces.html

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    NC
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    2,126
    My Cars
    E30M3,318is,318i,E21320
    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    Eric sells those. He also sells expensive stainless pistons.

    Call us toll free!
    (855) STOP-101 (855-786-7101)
    Specialty Parts for Porsche® Automobiles

    EPDM Caliper 1/2 Seals

    https://www.pmbperformance.com/catal...91/9694936.htm

    - - - Updated - - -

    also

    https://www.pmbperformance.com/diy-c...ts--acces.html

    That's where I bought mine. Perfect post for quality items.
    88 M3
    91 318is
    91 318i
    83 320is
    08 X3 3.0si

    "If it flys, floats, or f*cks, rent it!"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Magnolia, TX, USA
    Posts
    97
    My Cars
    1982 BMW 320i
    Thanks, that’s exactly the information I needed. I did find flat rubber washers at Home Depot, just slightly too small diameter.
    The pistons are pricey, but not bad if they’re actually available. I assume I can use the PMB 48mm stainless steel A-caliper pistons. Doesn’t mention the height, which I believe is 31mm for the e21 caliper.
    Last edited by Opal82; 05-18-2022 at 05:51 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    1,498
    My Cars
    E21 323i, E36 M3
    I got mine with the rebuild kits from Walloth Nesch since I needed to do the rear 323i calipers as well.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
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    My Cars
    1981 320i silver
    I didn't know the pistons were hard to find.

    yes if you want to pay the premium for stainless they fit, the regular 48mm ATE, you can email eric to confirm.

    here is an email response from him to me:

    Eric Shea <pmbperformance@gmail.com> wrote:

    > Hi Mike,
    >
    > You are correct, the A-Style would be what you
    > need.
    >
    > I think we can get by with $4.95 shipping and the
    > seals are free.
    >
    > Hope that helps.
    >
    > E.

    > PMB Performance.com
    > 1861 Gracey Lane
    > Sandy, UT 84092
    > 801-674-3669
    > www.pmbperformance.com
    > eric@pmbperformance.com

    - - - Updated - - -

    I sent him a picture of my rusted piston(s)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Sacramento, California
    Posts
    4,704
    My Cars
    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    That is where I got mine as well. I also used a hone that expands so the piston travels forward and backward without glaze or rust getting in the way. Light pressure is all you need with brake fluid as hone fluid.

    51BoBsfNyPL._AC_SL1350_.jpgDSCI0580.JPG

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 05-19-2022 at 10:42 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Magnolia, TX, USA
    Posts
    97
    My Cars
    1982 BMW 320i
    I ordered the PMB caliper seals, not sure I need to worry about the pistons for now. They popped out and cleaned up shiny with some brake cleaner and very fine steel wool. I coated them with a thin layer of brake fluid and I can push them in by hand.
    Two pistons had chipped edges on the top collar which likely wouldn’t hurt them, but I ordered two replacements (could only find two).

    I plan to install one new and one old piston in each caliper, anyone foresee a problem with that setup?
    Maybe I’m being too cheap!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
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    My Cars
    1981 320i silver
    yeah good, the only thing that counts on the pistons is the part that contacts the ring seals.

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