Brake Overhaul - help me plan my steps to minimize downtime

[Fifty150hs]

Put the Powerstopson all four corners two weeks ago. Slotted, cross drilled rotors with carbon/ceramic pads. They're awesome. Stop great and look great. Thinking of painting the calipers with the G2 system.

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Yes Tim these barrels will be spotless! I actually am probably going to put a ceramic coating on my wheels when I do the brakes.

You guys are right - considering that I am going to remove and rebuild the calipers anyway while they are off, no need to waste time and money with powder coating. I'll set up and prep the calipers and carriers and get them all propped up on my workbench and do a proper painting job.

This way I can get them 98% covered and once they are mounted on the X5 with the multi spoke 20's on there like tmv said you won't even notice if a spot is missed.

This can also be done for the calipers might be worth investigating after all that work your putting in for painting them. Im getting one of my other cars done as I just found out its feasible.

[Ricky Bobby]

^yeah if I end up powder coating them I will put the ceramic coating on top for protection.

The G2 is pretty hardy on its own

[Ricky Bobby]

Just bumping as I plan -

Most likely going to tear down and clean pistons and bores at all 4 corner calipers, unless they look absolutely spotless with perfectly supple rubber boots when I pull them as I start the brakes - for $60 in seal kits, its cheap insurance -

If I'm going to do the job I'll do it right so that I don't run into problems down the road. Not really looking forward to the delicate piston bores and pistons themselves as my life is riding on these 4 corners, but I think if I take my time and work slow I can accomplish a full rebuild and get another 13+ years out of these brake calipers.

My only other option I thought of was to purchase NEW (not rebuilt) ATE calipers which I found for $190 for the front pair, but cannot find rears (only Genuine BMW I can find) - so I guess I could get Centric rebuilts for the rears, but then I question the integrity/quality of the rebuilt parts (bushings, guide pins, and seal kits) - as opposed to my known good calipers.

The plus is that I messaged G2 about their caliper paint and they said as long as the brake fluid isn't sitting on the surface it won't effect the epoxy finish, which is nice.

[jcp240z]

Rebuild them yourself. They are actually very easy.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Just bumping as I plan -

Most likely going to tear down and clean pistons and bores at all 4 corner calipers, unless they look absolutely spotless with perfectly supple rubber boots when I pull them as I start the brakes - for $60 in seal kits, its cheap insurance -

If I'm going to do the job I'll do it right so that I don't run into problems down the road. Not really looking forward to the delicate piston bores and pistons themselves as my life is riding on these 4 corners, but I think if I take my time and work slow I can accomplish a full rebuild and get another 13+ years out of these brake calipers.

My only other option I thought of was to purchase NEW (not rebuilt) ATE calipers which I found for $190 for the front pair, but cannot find rears (only Genuine BMW I can find) - so I guess I could get Centric rebuilts for the rears, but then I question the integrity/quality of the rebuilt parts (bushings, guide pins, and seal kits) - as opposed to my known good calipers.

The plus is that I messaged G2 about their caliper paint and they said as long as the brake fluid isn't sitting on the surface it won't effect the epoxy finish, which is nice.

G2 works well on the calipers. I did my E39 M5 last year when I did the brake system on that car and they still look awesome today. Pick a caliper color that works well with you vehicle color combination and it will look good.

[StephenVA]

+1

[tmv]

Off topic How many of us also have an E39 M5?
I know the last 2 posters, Optimu5 and myself

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by jcp240z

Rebuild them yourself. They are actually very easy.

^Yep thats exactly what I am doing - will make me sleep better to know a 13 year old hydraulic system is properly maintained -

Would give me an excuse to get a cheap air compressor to pop the pistons out -Meanwhile Stephen's brake porn picture above is my inspiration.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

...Would give me an excuse to get a cheap air compressor to pop the pistons out ...

Before I had a compressor, I rigged up a bike pump to pop the pistons out (on a different car a long time ago). If you've got the space, a compressor is good to have.