Gti6 Caliper Rebuild Kit (Bigg Red)

[sport1901966 8]

Hi All,

 

Having taken the 205 Mi out for its first drive in 6 months after finishing the VTS rack PAS retrofit I returned to the garage with a brake disc glowing cherry red!

 

Safe to say a rebuild is in order, but having looked on the Bigg Red site there are a few options for the GTi6 front caliper rebuild kits. My inclination is kit no. BRK205476.

 

http://biggred.co.uk/catalogue.php

 

 

Am I right in thinking LUCAS are the only supplier for the GTi6 calipers? Also it seems to differentiate between 20 and 20.4 mm disk width...

 

Thanks, Geoff

 

 

[sport1901966 8]

Well contacted Bigg Red who said I needed the BRK205719 kit. Stripped the caliper down today, only to find that the dust seal in the rebuild kit was clearly the wrong size;

 

Original:

 

 

 

BRK205719 Dust Seal:

 

 

 

I got the piston out - is it no good? Fair bit of pitting round the seal slot and a couple of bits where the plating is chipped away

 

Edited April 20, 2013 by sport1901966

[starky5 18]

I'm no expert but normally any rust/damage behind the seal has the potential to cause a leak.

 

Also I would be interested to know what kit turns out to be the correct one as I'm rebuilding some gti6 callipers myself. What codes are stamped on your callipers? Because the numbers on mine don't seem to match the codes on big red

 

Cheers

Edited April 22, 2013 by starky5

[Tom Fenton 1,540]

As you've got it that far in bits then it's worth replacing the caliper pistons in my book. They are not expensive. I can't speak about Big Red, but I have dealt with Brakes International in Rochdale, you won't find more helpful folk, well priced and quick delivery.

[jimbob 3]

Had an awful experience with bigg red and ended up sending my calipers to "the brake specialist" after getting them back from bigg red showing signs of rust after a week and not had a single problem since getting them back from the brake specialist and the customer service is a lot lot better in my opinion

[sport1901966 8]

I'm no expert but normally any rust/damage behind the seal has the potential to cause a leak.

Also I would be interested to know what kit turns out to be the correct one as I'm rebuilding some gti6 callipers myself. What codes are stamped on your callipers? Because the numbers on mine don't seem to match the codes on big red

Cheers

 

Hmm I would say you're probably right, and as Tom says they aren't that expensive. Not sure what's cast into the calipers - they've been painted multiple times in the past it seems.

 

As you've got it that far in bits then it's worth replacing the caliper pistons in my book. They are not expensive. I can't speak about Big Red, but I have dealt with Brakes International in Rochdale, you won't find more helpful folk, well priced and quick delivery.

 

Thanks for the tip I'll look them up, although I am considering buying some refurbed calipers from Carl on the 306 forum, these don't seem that well cared for and if I'm honest could do with more than just a seal change. If it didn't mean the car was disabled I'd fully refurb the current ones but I'll weigh up the options I think.

 

Had an awful experience with bigg red and ended up sending my calipers to "the brake specialist" after getting them back from bigg red showing signs of rust after a week and not had a single problem since getting them back from the brake specialist and the customer service is a lot lot better in my opinion

I've heard that the repair kits from big redd or of high quality, but it was a bit annoying finding they had recommended the wrong kit. I didn't think there were any variations on the 283mm/57mm GTI6 calipers but their site seems to indicate there are.

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys

[jimbob 3]

Pretty sure I got my set of seals from pug as I needed the rubber boots that cover the bolts between caliper and moving part (excuse the technical talk) and they came in the pack

[sport1901966 8]

Well I've now been told that they are the right dust seals - the number moulded on them indicates as such. Apparently the difference in size is down to the standard seals swelling. Its possible but 4mm is a big change.

 

The key thing is the lip that sits in the groove in the caliper bore if the groove diameter is bigger than the seal lip then I cant see how it will fit properly. The inner dimensions being smaller just means they'll hold the piston tighter, but will make fitting more difficult.

 

hmmm still not convinced they are the correct ones.....

[Tom Fenton 1,540]

The seals are a stretch to put on. If they were baggy they'd let water in and fall off. 4mm to a stretchy rubber seal is not a big difference.

[sport1901966 8]

I see what you mean, its not the sealing against the piston that concerns me, more the sealing on the outer side against the piston bore. I think I'll have to have to give them a trial fit - just don't want to damage them and lose the possibility of a refund

[Henry 1.9GTi 36]

I had my 1.9 calipers refurbed by big redd. Pretty happy tbh, no problems yet. Although the red polymer 'high temp' coating has gone all black and started bubbling where its closest to the pad.

 

As said replace the pistons, youv'e got them apart now and done the hard work so would be silly to put old stuff back.