Important #1! This item is for one rebuild of your EXISTING single-piston OE BMW brake caliper. This is the price for one rebuild so order two (2) if you wish to rebuild both calipers on an axle. Order four (4) if you wish to rebuild all four calipers on the vehicle. Since you are sending us your caliper(s) there is no core charge associated with this purchase.
Important #2! Contact us to arrange shipment of your caliper(s) to us before sending them in. There is vital information you need to include in your package(s). See below for further details.
The BimmerWorld View: when it comes to rebuilt calipers you absolutely get what you pay for. When you buy at the cheapest price you get the cheapest rebuild in return. We have learned the hard way that cheap rebuilt calipers are only good for a quick repair and you might get another year of use before another replacement is required. Some mechanics won't even install them. We have adopted the approach that it should be done right and done once so we didn't take any shortcuts when rebuilding calipers.
Do we use OEM seals? Yes, properly installed.
Do we reuse the pistons? Yes, but only after going through a fitment check and thorough cleaning. If a piston doesn't pass our tests it gets replaced. Each piston is checked for correct bore clearance after the coating process and the final assembly is done by hand.
Are the threads chased or repaired? Yes, with a new bleeder screw installed.
Is new hardware included? Yes, new rubber guide bushings and pins are installed in most calipers. However, certain older BMWs, such as 2002, E21, E9, etc, that used unique calipers may need additional hardware at an additional cost. Brembo and other multi-piston calipers do not apply to this listing - contact us for a quote.
Do we coat it or do we protect it? A grey coating is applied. Our standard grey finish is a phosphate-based Parkerized coating that is meant as an in-between finish. Parkerizing is common with exposed steel and iron as a mid-level rust-resistant finish. You can run the calipers as-is however rust will form eventually so we recommend a topcoat of your choice (preferably something that doesn't come out of a rattle can). While better than the usual shelf coating found on cheap rebuilds it's not meant to be a long-term finish for brake caliper use. A gold cadmium plated option is available (inquire).
Don't be fooled by product photos on cheap rebuilds showing a coated or painted caliper. All rebuilt calipers from any source ship with a thin coating that is to prevent corrosion while the part is in transit or sitting on a warehouse shelf. It will burn off as soon as it gets hot or wash away with brake or wheel cleaner. Cheap caliper rebuilds will rust right away. Not only is the rust unsightly but it leads to more rust as moisture is absorbed through the casting and sneaks past the caliper seals. This will usually result in another stuck caliper requiring yet another caliper purchase. Our goal with a premium caliper rebuild is to eliminate this cycle of buying cheaply-rebuilt calipers. We had to take caliper rebuilds to a new level with more care and attention to the seals, piston, and coating.
Sending your caliper(s) to BimmerWorld:
First contact us to arrange shipment and receive a confirmation reference number that must be used on the address label. You must also include some form of contact information inside the package. We also advise buying the shipping insurance because calipers are not cheap to replace.
Turnaround time is not less than three weeks and depends on workload. This timeframe is based mainly on the coating supplier we use. Sorry, rush orders cannot be accommodated.
The timeline also factors in inspection of your calipers before and after the rebuild. If your calipers are damaged or missing components we may not be able to rebuild or refinish them.
What you send is what is returned. If you wish to have the brackets (carriers) finished in the same coating you must include them.
Applications/BMW Fitments:
This service item applies to all single-piston BMW brake calipers - front or rear. Single-piston calipers were the dominant type used on nearly all BMW models from 1983 up through today. This applies to E30, E36, E46, E9X, F3X, E12, E28, E34, E39, E60, F10, E24, E63, E23, E32, E38, E31, E83, F25, F26, E53, Z1, Z3, E85, E86, E89, and more models. If in doubt, please contact us.
E9X M3: the factory calipers are aluminum and powedercoated (black or red). Contact us for a options and quotes on a straight rebuild or a full rebuild and re-coat. The rebuild will depend heavily on the condition of your cores.
Multi-piston calipers (Brembo, Ate) can also be rebuilt for a higher cost, contact us.
