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How long do calipers last?

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Old 01-16-2013, 10:58 AM
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steepsnow
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Default How long do calipers last?

Hi All,

My '99 C4 Coupe has 125K+ miles.

My calipers were Silver, but are now "Gold" after a couple years of track days.
Until I got the heat issues figured out, I had the brake fluid boil a couple times, so the original ones got some serious heat abuse; thus the color change.

Is there any reason to consider replacing the Calipers?

Also, are the calipers the same for cab and coupes?
...all 996 model years the same?

Thanks!
Douglas
Old 01-16-2013, 11:34 AM
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Sneaky Pete
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Looks like you have a clone to my car....I also had the same issues you have with the calipers. The cheapest thing to do is to rebuild the caliper. This means pulling the caliper off the car and replacing the seals inside it....paint the caliper silver with the proper paint, throw on the decals and reinstall. I did this back in September. Bought the seals from RL sponsors and watched a youtube vid by Van. As for the caliper itself matching all 996 years? I believe they do. The only difference I know is the paint colors of the calipers are black = C2 regardless of cab or coupe; Silver = C4 regardless of cab or coupe and Red = C4S regardless of cab or coupe.
Old 01-16-2013, 11:34 PM
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steepsnow
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Thanks. I was able to score some Silver Calipers with 22k miles on the "donor" car; which was a 2000 Cab. They lookalike they are great condition. Since they are already off the car, I may try to replace the seals inspire of the low mileage since they are over ten yrs old.
I'll try to find the seal vid.
...was it fairly easy?
Old 01-17-2013, 12:12 AM
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uswrnk54
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Any maintenance issues (other than calipers) w/ 125K? Replaced the famous bearing?
Old 01-17-2013, 01:10 AM
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KrazyK
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Hey Sneaky P, has anyone ever swapped the C4S/Turbo brakes onto a C2 or is it not worth the effort?
Old 01-17-2013, 01:57 AM
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ivangene
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Originally Posted by KrazyK
Hey Sneaky P, has anyone ever swapped the C4S/Turbo brakes onto a C2 or is it not worth the effort?
I assume this question is not for your own knowledge as no one who doesnt track their car would even ask unless they had poser dreams of some sort

Old 01-17-2013, 02:07 AM
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KrazyK
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Ivan, I hope mine has the C4S brakes or I really got screwed. I have been really hard on my car lately cranking it and watching it run in my shop. The weathers been really bad.
Old 01-17-2013, 09:00 AM
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ivangene
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I am running another track day Saturday.....if you are quick, you can ship the car up. I still have a few openings

Ill even offer to give you a couple hours of instruction at no charge!

plus entry fees are really low in the winter - $150 for the day (no lunch provided, but vendors on site)


spread the word north westerners - sign up through the Ridge or T2 - we are going to have a really great day
Old 01-17-2013, 09:11 AM
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ivangene
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here's the links
http://www.turn2lapping.com/winter-track-days.html
http://www.ridgemotorsportspark.com/...-january-19th/
Old 01-17-2013, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by KrazyK
Hey Sneaky P, has anyone ever swapped the C4S/Turbo brakes onto a C2 or is it not worth the effort?
The swap is possible but not a direct bolt on sort of thing. A C2 has great brakes as it is.....I would not bother.
Old 01-17-2013, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by steepsnow
Thanks. I was able to score some Silver Calipers with 22k miles on the "donor" car; which was a 2000 Cab. They lookalike they are great condition. Since they are already off the car, I may try to replace the seals inspire of the low mileage since they are over ten yrs old.
I'll try to find the seal vid.
...was it fairly easy?
It is easy just make sure you have the right parts and tools. Its a good weekend job. I did my rebuild with 114K miles on the car. Chris Whaley is a good source and Suncoast.
Old 01-17-2013, 11:39 AM
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The swap is possible but not a direct bolt on sort of thing. A C2 has great brakes as it is.....I would not bother.
Thanks Sneaky P, the reason I asked is I have seen several posted recently at a good price if anyone thought the swap was worth it.

Ivan, thanks for the offer but I cant afford to have you blow up my engine.
Old 01-17-2013, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by KrazyK
I cant afford to have you blow up my engine.
what if I only "mostly" blow it up
Old 01-17-2013, 02:39 PM
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The only ones I've seen that needed rebuilding were the ones that were tracked quite often or ones that have been sitting around with corrosion. Even the track ones I've inspected only needed piston outer seal boots and the rings themselves appeared to be fine. The 996 Brembos are pretty beefy and robust compared to others I would say.



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