Rear Calipers

[Oldthumper]

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but I can’t find anything recent.
I have a pair of rear calipers, removed and replaced with new ones tears ago.
Is it financially viable to have them rebuilt, and if so, any suggestions for a place to get them done, preferably in the South East UK?
I haven’t seen any rebuilt ones for sale for ages, and have no idea of their value, either “as is” or rebuilt and restored. I’ve kept them stored for probably 30 or more years, but am unlikely to need them myself now.

[john.p.clegg]

Not exactly local , but the best...

http://www.classicarautomotive.co.uk/products.php

But the best..

John

[oldelanman]

I suspect that restoring would not increase the value by as much as it would cost.
There's a single caliper on ebay right now, dismantled and described as unrestored .... see what that goes for then decide if you think it's worth restoring yours.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-2 ... SwAa1f6Ipe

[Oldthumper]

It was seeing that one on eBay that reminded me to look for my ones.
I’ve found a place that refurbished them for £156 each, so it will be interesting to see what happens at the end of the auction.

[EPA]

Classicars did a great job of refurbishing my rear callipers just recently.
The cost depends upon the condition of the items being refurbished especially the handbrake parts which may need replacing if too far gone.
If the handbrake parts can’t be repaired then it could cost £600+ for the pair but if repairable it would be around £400+
Ed

[BrianA]

If you look on the Tony Thompson Racing website, they are advertising a pair of refurbished rear calipers for £950 if that helps.

If you're looking to sell them "as is", let me know as I need a pair of handbrake calipers for my S2 GTS car which came without a handbrake set-up. I need to refit a working handbrake for FIA HTP purposes. And I'm only just up the road from you in West Chilt.



The eBay caliper sold for £190 which looks incredible as it was incomplete (well it didn't have all the handbrake components). I also wonder if the way it was pictured, i.e. split into the 2 sides, might have been a bit misleading. When I first saw it I thought it was for a pair and even put in a bid before realising that it was only a single caliper. Luckily I was out bid.........

[Oldthumper]

Hi Brian, I’ve tried to send you a PM, but not sure if it has worked!
I too was quite surprised by that eBay result, as you say,with most of the handbrake mechanism missing. I’ve just been checking mine out, and they are complete, with the exception of the centralising strips and adjusting nuts. The handbrake mechanism is moving freely, pistons are out on one and still in situ in the other, and I haven’t tried pumping them out yet.
I would like to do a bit of research before offering to sell them to you, as I am really unsure of their real value,but would be more than happy to discuss it with you once I have a little more of an idea!

[geni]

Hello j'ai des éléments de freins a main mais ils sont a rebaguer (ovalisation des des alésages d'axes
Si cela peu vous intéresser passer en MP

[661]

If you look on the Tony Thompson Racing website, they are advertising a pair of refurbished rear calipers for £950 if that helps.

If you're looking to sell them "as is", let me know as I need a pair of handbrake calipers for my S2 GTS car which came without a handbrake set-up. I need to refit a working handbrake for FIA HTP purposes. And I'm only just up the road from you in West Chilt.



The eBay caliper sold for £190 which looks incredible as it was incomplete (well it didn't have all the handbrake components). I also wonder if the way it was pictured, i.e. split into the 2 sides, might have been a bit misleading. When I first saw it I thought it was for a pair and even put in a bid before realising that it was only a single caliper. Luckily I was out bid.........

Kelvedon have the handbrake parts, I believe.
I bought two pairs of complete rear calipers for my GTS and got the aforementioned classiccar to refurb the chosen pair. I see no reason to suggest anyone else to refurb them as they are a superb company.
If you are going to sell your pair I see little to suggest you get them refurbed first.

[Frogelan]

Good evening

I had two rear calipers rebuilt by Past Parts in Bury St Edmunds:

http://www.pastparts.co.uk/

They did a very nice job and have just rebuilt the master cylinders as well:

I hope this helps.

Andrew

[Oldthumper]

Thanks Andrew, looks very good, and from looking on their website looks a quite reasonable price.
As I’ve a little more time available due to the lockdown, I’ve decided to put the calipers in soak for a couple of days, give them a really good clean up, and decide what to do from then.
Tha handbrake mechanism is all good, complete and moving freely, both pistons are out of one caliper and the bores look pretty good. The pistons are being a bit more reluctant to move on the other caliper, but are at least moving a little, so I’m sure they’ll be out soon.
I was doing the brakes back in the 80’s, and one of the suppliers was doing a great deal on new front calipers, so I ordered, and was pleasantly surprised when they sent rear ones by mistake. So I changed the calipers, and “mothballed” my original ones which were actually in pretty good shape then.

[Frogelan]

Mr Thumper

Past Parts (no affiliation, I'm just a happy customer) have all the equipment to sort out even the worst cases of corrosion and I would not bother soaking the parts.

With the Covid problems and to save money, I would recommend that you contact Richard at PP with photos and arrange to send the parts using a reputable courrier firm.

PP will also deal with the hand brake mechanism (this may give a small surcharge compared to the prices shown).

I'm always pleased to highlight good service when I can (and just as fast to grumble also!).

Andrew

[512BB]

The finish on your rear calpers is much closer to original Andrew, and once it tones down, should be spot on. Do you know what its, and if you don't mind, how much did Past Parts charge you ?

Thanks

Leslie

[Frogelan]

A few replies for Leslie:

- Past Parts offer two finishes. I opted for the silvery finish as I felt that this was closer to the original (perhaps wrongly I see the bronze type finish as being just for repro parts).
- The Dec 2017 costs for the rebuild of rear calipers were £348 including VAT, the handbrake pads and a very full rebuild). The calipers were resleeved and pistons changed (£174 each).
- For the rebuild of the original Girling integrated tank master cylinders (Aug 2020) the total cost (2 brake, 1 clutch) was £244.50 including VAT (£81.50 each).

I hope this helps!

[Craven]

It’s very likely the finish is a zinc plate, the passivation process causes the colour change. Silver finish is a Zinc plate with clear passivate. Search clear chromate.