Anyone here rebuilt their Big Reds?
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Anyone here rebuilt their Big Reds?
My Big Reds are beat to hell and I can't take it anymore. I want to send them out for re-powder coating, but figure it's probably time to do everything at once and replace all the seals and dust covers. I've done this on older 911's with no problem. What sizes are the pistons on front and rear Big Reds? I think my BR's came off a wrecked C4S, which I bought from Harald in Germany. I don't know which kits to buy. I don't think I'd need new pistons, just the seals and dust covers. What to buy?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 6
From: Seattle
PM Travis "BufordTJ"... I think he's into rebuilding/refinishing calipers. Ask him to send you some photos...
Also, I've heard this place is very good, FWIW.
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/
Haven't used either service, no affiliations, etc.
Also, I've heard this place is very good, FWIW.
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/
Haven't used either service, no affiliations, etc.
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek, AZ
These photos are making me consider leaving the white PORSCHE lettering off. I just took the 911 badge off my decklid and think debadging the car is a cool look.
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/Porsche_911_Carrera.htm
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/Porsche_911_Carrera.htm
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,889
Likes: 495
From: Ellicott City, MD
Rick,
Not sure on the piston sizes, but the rebuilding is well within your skill level.
I initially purchased bore & dust seals from Zeckhausen, thinking that my pistons should be perfectly fine. Once I received the seals, I was not thrilled with how thin & flimsy the dust boots felt, so I returned them.
Unfortunately, the only way that I found to source actual Brembo seals was to purchase 16 individual rebuild kits directly from Porsche. This meant new pistons, new bore seals, new dust boots, and grease. In the end, this was approximately $100 more than the aftermarket seals alone from Zeckhausen.
My pistons were all in perfect condition, but I'm glad I purchased the Brembo kits, as I managed to nick a piston or two during the removal process...
Inspiration for you:
Andreas
Not sure on the piston sizes, but the rebuilding is well within your skill level.
I initially purchased bore & dust seals from Zeckhausen, thinking that my pistons should be perfectly fine. Once I received the seals, I was not thrilled with how thin & flimsy the dust boots felt, so I returned them.
Unfortunately, the only way that I found to source actual Brembo seals was to purchase 16 individual rebuild kits directly from Porsche. This meant new pistons, new bore seals, new dust boots, and grease. In the end, this was approximately $100 more than the aftermarket seals alone from Zeckhausen.
My pistons were all in perfect condition, but I'm glad I purchased the Brembo kits, as I managed to nick a piston or two during the removal process...
Inspiration for you:
Andreas
Trending Topics
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek, AZ
I don't need help with rebuilding the calipers. I can do that in my sleep. I just need to know which size seals and dustboots to order. When rebuilding older 911 calipers, I was always able to get the pistons looking like mirrors again with Scotch-brite pads.
Andreas, did the Zeckhausen dustboots seem flimsier than the stock ones when the stock ones came off? Seems to me all those parts feel flimsy when off the caliper, but feel right when installed (sort of like my front bumper).
Andreas, did the Zeckhausen dustboots seem flimsier than the stock ones when the stock ones came off? Seems to me all those parts feel flimsy when off the caliper, but feel right when installed (sort of like my front bumper).
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,889
Likes: 495
From: Ellicott City, MD
Re: your comment regarding polishing the old pistons - these are anodized aluminum (I presume you know that).
- 993RS and tt use the same fronts, 36mm/44mm
- 993RS rear uses 30mm/36mm
- 993tt and 4S use 28mm/28mm
Andreas
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Oh, I had no idea they were anodized aluminum. I've not taken 993 calipers apart before. When I R&R'ed them on another buddy's 993, we only replaced the dustboots, but didn't take the pistons out. TT and 4S uses 28mm all around? That should make things a little cheaper. I wonder if I'm better off picking up some totally beat, stock 993 calipers and taking my time, making them all new and then selling off my BR's kind of cheap. But I don't think the pads and rotors are compatible, so I'd have to buy those all around too.
Thread Starter
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 6
From: Cave Creek, AZ
Do the caliper rebuild kits come with two of everything? Pelican's catalogue says order two per caliper or four per axle. Aren't their four pistons in each caliper? Wouldn't that mean four caliper, eight per axle, regardless of diameter?
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 8
RL you're my friend so I have to back this thread up and ask a simple question -- why do you think your calipers need rebuilding? Do they even have 40K on them? Sounds to me like all you need to do is sand the chips down, scuff the calipers up, repaint them (hi-temp rattlecan worked beautifully on mine) and replace the PORSCHE decals. Seems to me you're creating a lot of work for yourself...