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biggles_butler

Member

• Aug 19, 2015

• #1

Finally got round to replacing discs/pads - upon doing the rears I noticed the pistons (along with the wheel bearings ) were knackered. Piston was....well not much left of the piston!
Been looking at various sites and I can pick up a set of Bearmach calipers for not a lot - saves the hassle.

The disco is just used for the odd trip into town now and enjoying her retirement!
So is it worth spending some time overhauling the current calipers or would the Bearmach set do the job ?

Cheers.

 

RichP

Active Member

Donater

• Aug 19, 2015

• #2

Think you've answered your own question. New Calliper "saves the hassle".
I rebuilt three of my callipers (using Bearmach kits) and bought one new calliper as the old one was too far gone.
Rebuilding wasn't to bad, worse bits were getting the old pistons out and fitting the metal cover over the outer seal without distorting it. I messed one cover up but luckily my local LR indie let me borrow a "fitting tool" that they had made which meant fitting the other ones was really easy

 

Bennehboy

Well-Known Member

• Aug 19, 2015

• #3

Replace, if the pistons are scored they will just seize up again, mine did..

Paint the housings before refitting to make them last longer.

 

brian47

Well-Known Member

• Aug 19, 2015

• #4

+1 Can't scrimp on brakes IMHO

 

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biggles_butler

Member

• Aug 19, 2015

• #5

That's the thing - should I overhaul a genuine caliper (would probably take be a couple days to strip, paint and fit piston) or save the hassle and buy Bearmach for a similar price. Bearmach seem to have good reviews though, unlike britpart! Just want to make sure they have a similar service life to the originals.

Looks like Johncraddock has an exchange system for genuine calipers - their wording is confusing though, so awaiting clarification.

 

Mike Jones

Active Member

• Aug 21, 2015

• #6

I just replaced both rear calipers on mine, along with the discs, back plates, pads and carriers. Everything was completely rotten. Not good on an '03 car with less than 90k on the clock.
I bought Bearmach calipers. They were a good price and appear to work well. My only gripe was the boxes stating "Quality parts from the UK" and the caliper castings being stamped "Made in China". Hmmmm

 

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biggles_butler

Member

• Aug 22, 2015

• #7

Mike Jones said:

I just replaced both rear calipers on mine, along with the discs, back plates, pads and carriers. Everything was completely rotten. Not good on an '03 car with less than 90k on the clock.
I bought Bearmach calipers. They were a good price and appear to work well. My only gripe was the boxes stating "Quality parts from the UK" and the caliper castings being stamped "Made in China". Hmmmm

Click to expand...

I don't know what Land Rover were thinking when they build these - common sense, basic engineering and design thought out the window in exchange for money scrimping. They weren't cheap when new either - obviously a company in trouble at the time.
Even the brake lines corrode (had one fail in town) - they used the wrong clips so the brake lines are in contact with the chassis resulting in a "galvanic corrosion" of sorts. Madness!

Anyway, where did you source your Bearmach calipers from - trying to find someone who has them in stock. Cheers.

 

MJI

Well-Known Member

• Aug 22, 2015

• #8

try Ebay

 

sierrafery

Well-Known Member

• Aug 23, 2015

• #9

there are many other possibilities than britpart, bearmach or allmakes, at least britpart is made in UK, from allmakes and bearmach i've got "made in china" bits not once as they acted only as suppliers not manufacturers and i completely erased them from my wish list, if i decide to buy aftermarket not OEM or genuine i'm searching well or better buy britpart ... the market is wide but some of the parts are not available in UK, see the "direct cross interchange" section for STC1905(rear left) here http://www.kakapart.com/oem/partscrossinterchange/land-rover-stc1905.html , you can then put STC1906 in the search window for rear right or any other part number... for UK market i found these:
1. http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/1996405
2. http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/1996406
which IMO are good price definitely better than bearmach and 100% not chinese but if you are patient to search you might find other interesting alternatives too

 

Gordy88

Active Member

• Aug 23, 2015

• #10

I used remanufactured exchange units from Brake engineering for my quattro

Sourced through a local motor factors

Have to say I was pleased with them. Might be another option for you

 

Mike Jones

Active Member

• Sep 1, 2015

• #11

biggles_butler said:

I don't know what Land Rover were thinking when they build these - common sense, basic engineering and design thought out the window in exchange for money scrimping. They weren't cheap when new either - obviously a company in trouble at the time.
Even the brake lines corrode (had one fail in town) - they used the wrong clips so the brake lines are in contact with the chassis resulting in a "galvanic corrosion" of sorts. Madness!

Anyway, where did you source your Bearmach calipers from - trying to find someone who has them in stock. Cheers.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I was on holiday!
I got mine from JGS 4x4. They list on ebay and are always very good!