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?

 

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.

 

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

 

I like that idea. Actually, I was thinking of going with their clear polymer w/ black decals. Wallet still needs to recover before I can think about it, though.

 

Are those guys expensive? I can handle the rebuild myself, but don't want to deal with blasting and painting.

 

I forget the price, but it was reasonable. PM "mpotvin", he told me about Goldline and I know he was happy with their work.

 

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

 

Steve Weiner at Rennsport Systems rebuilt some calipers for me last year. I'd highly recommend him.

 

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).

 

They felt flimsy when compared to the actual Brembo seals. No question. I have no regrets that I spent a bit more for the correct pieces.

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

 

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.

 

The TT / C4S Calipers are:

Front: 36/44
Rear: 28/28

The front calipers have 2 different pison sizes, all 4 in the rear calipers are 28mm

 

I think that's for the rear calipers. I stole the specs from one of Bill Verburg's posts.


Andreas

 

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?

 

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...