Question about rebuilding calipers.....

**converted2audi** · 05-22-2008 09:06 AM

I just got my B6 S4 calipers yesterday, and I figured while I actually have them off the car might be the best time to get them painted. However, what i was thinking of doing was just getting them powder coated, which would require disassembling them for powdercoating and then reassembling them.

Before I dig right in, how complicated is this? I know i need the caliper rebuild kit, which isnt expensive at all....but I just dont want to pull them apart only to find out that I cant put them back together!!!!

Also, ECS offers to tools to repress the brake piston when changing pads, one says it is to be used for pistons that dont have to be rotated as they are compressed and is only $10 and the other says its for pistons that DO need to be rotated as they are compressed and its $40....yet BOTH say they work for all audi models.....so which one is the right one for the front calipers??

TIA

**0330QA4** · 05-22-2008 09:21 AM

Fronts only need to be pressed in, you dont need a tool for it. The rears have to be rotated and pressed.

**20vturbo** · 05-22-2008 09:50 AM

use air to push them out if the seals are good you don't need a caliper rebuild

**converted2audi** · 05-22-2008 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by 20vturbo

use air to push them out if the seals are good you don't need a caliper rebuild

well i would need a rebuild kit if im completely taking them apart to get them powder coated, no?

**converted2audi** · 05-22-2008 09:02 PM

bump

**converted2audi** · 05-23-2008 03:18 PM

bump......anyone?

**dirtybrd** · 05-23-2008 04:20 PM

I'd just paint them, save yourself the hassle of possibly not being able to get parts for them.

**converted2audi** · 05-23-2008 05:27 PM

getting a rebuild kit isnt the hard part.....haha, i just want to know how difficult it is to get them back together.....i take it by no one responding that no one has really gotten their calipers powder coated before?

i guess painting them would be cheaper anyway.......

**trueno429** · 05-23-2008 08:23 PM

yeah just paint them..use high heat paint

**dirtybrd** · 05-23-2008 08:26 PM

PCing is alot of work for something paint will do and look the same.

**converted2audi** · 05-23-2008 08:33 PM

fair enough......paint is probably a lot cheaper too....i take it i just use caliper paint?

**boy412** · 05-24-2008 02:27 PM

I did a complete disassembly of my HP2 calipers (B5 S4), and while it was certainly an adventure (try finding a T-55 Torx bit!) I'm glad it did it. Taking them apart was not difficult, nor was re-assembly. Just pay attention to torque values! Unless the rings or dustboots are torn you shouldn't need the re-build kit.

Powder coating is a LOT more durable, and the color choices are nearly unlimited. With caliper paint, I've seen red, black, blue, and yellow. For something really custom looking I went the powder coat route.

And just so you know, the dustboots on the HP2 calipers (the ones that DON'T come out) held up fine to the heat in the powder coating process.

boy412