503C43 ////AMG

Today I am installing my new rotors, Akebono pads, and Stoptech SS brake lines. Everything was going along pretty well, have the rotors installed the pads installed and the calipers back on (I removed them to paint them) and I am at the last step where I need to replace the brake line. I go to screw in the SS brake line into the caliper and notice that it is going in slightly at an angle so I pull it out and examine the threads. The threads are clearly damaged so I try to install the other brake line but make sure that it is going in straight but get the exact same result. I then try to reinstall the stock brake line and get the SAME RESULT, the threads are slightly damaged

Don't ask me why I kept trying different brake lines

So I have cross threaded the hole that the brake line screws into on the caliper, I am assuming I need to re tap the hole and the thread on the brake lines.

Does anyone have any experience with this??

My C43 is down for the count until I get this resolved

Ausmbtech

I would suggest taking both calipers off the car and taking them to a good brake repair shop to be fixed. It's not just a case of retapping the thread since it must be leak tight as well.

The other option is that I have seen some online parts places offering exchange calipers for very realistic prices, for about the price of a genuine seal kit they will send you the caliper overhauled and ready to go......sometimes I wish I was in the US when I see prices like that.

503C43 ////AMG

I only did one side so I do not think I will need to take both calipers off but this is definitely not what I wanted to hear. I HATE when I try to save money with a DIY and wind up spending more than if I had taken it in to a shop in the first place...

MarcusF

I've fixed bad threads. Pull the caliper, set it in a vice, grab a drill and a helicoil kit and 15 minutes later you'll be set. I've also had to fix badly tapped threads. If you're unsure whether you can fix it, just take the caliper and your brake line to a machine shop. As long as they don't notice AMG embossed on the caliper, it should be cheap.

eundaddy

I second this. I had TireRack destroy my hubs and one of them had to be helicoiled. It did the trick, but it isn't for a beginner. If you've never done it before, get it to a mechanic who knows how. This will probably run you an hour of labor. ($60-$120)

You could also buy a remanned one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CENTR...#ht_1124wt_939

503C43 ////AMG

I was thinking I might as well buy some remanufactured ones as the cost to repair mine would probably be the same or more.

nhmercracer

Helicoils will not work in this application. The threads are tapered. You are on the right track with re-manufactured calipers.

MarcusF

Helicoils come in both taper seat and gasket seat.

If you're going to buy another caliper anyway, you may want to ask your local machine shop what they would charge. I just checked the CE catalog (CE is a very good machine shop), and they charge $15 plus parts. A single helicol insert is less than a dollar.

nhmercracer

Marcus, I know, however I think the solid inserts are not a DIY thing.

I believe, if he has the original calipers, after thirteen winters, and with the front end disassembled,this would be the time for renewed units.

503, did you look at the front wheel bearings? If they have not been serviced recently, you may wish to have a look.

503C43 ////AMG

I had the wheel bearings repacked when I bought the car a little over a year ago. As far as the the calipers I was thinking the same thing and I am just going to replace them.

503C43 ////AMG

UPDATE:
Calipers have been ordered. I decided I might as well get some new ones as mine are old and new never hurts. I ordered 2 new calipers for the front, I will order the rears when I change the rotors but it won't be for a while as the rears are still good. I will install the new parking brake kit I have at that time as well.

DRBC43AMG

It's nice to see the 9 models of MB's on which the caliper is fitted. Does that mean those same 9 vehicles use the VERY expensive floating AMG rotor?

503C43 ////AMG

I would imagine so...

Saaboteur

I think a total of nine models using the caliper is a bit of an exaggeration. More like really just another two - the CLK55 AMG and the E55 AMG! Put all of the total C43/E55/CLK55 production together and I think it probably doesn't go much past 10,000 - so it's still a pretty rare (and thus expensive) caliper and rotor. By comparison, I believe that total Ferrari F355 production is right around that number too.

KJI3jflarryfe93

hey bud.
did you order the same but new C43 front calipers from the dealer?
not interested in swapping for new c32 calipers instead?
sorry to read about the threaded fuuk up

503C43 ////AMG

Not interested in swapping the C32 calipers as they are not a direct bolt on (they are but they are positioned incorrectly) so I ordered the stock calipers.

320 dreamer

if you flip the c32 calipers they orient correctly. i also replaced my slk32 calipers with slk55 calipers and the weight reduction was amazing. those oem units weigh a ton!

503C43 ////AMG

Yes I am aware of this but then your bleeder valve is positioned incorrectly (this is what I meant in the last post)

whipplem104

The c32 calipers are a direct bolt on and the bleeders are not upside down. I have done this and a buddy has on many cars. The fit is right on. And you can buy any late model clk500 caliper as it is the same. They are not as pretty but more available. New the amg caliper is actually cheaper from the dealer.

503C43 ////AMG

I'm not sure what car you did the caliper swap on but we have a couple members here who have done the swap (or are going to do the swap) and say otherwise. To get the correct orientation when installing them on a C43 you need to swap sides which means you need to flip them and in turn the bleeder valves are upside down, perhaps someone with a C43 who is familiar with the swap can chime in here (SAAB I am looking in your direction )

Saaboteur

Pages 10 and 11 in my 'build' thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...-paint-10.html

Outlawlatemodel

i dont think the bleed valve is a problem, using a brake bleeder pump or what ever would work, if your extremely worried rotate on rotor until its right bleed it then bolt it on, the purpose is to get all air out so if the bleeder is pointing up or down will not matter and as stated the caliper does not have to be bolt to the spindle, you could bleed the caliper with anything between the brake pads

eundaddy

you can also keep the left and right calipers in their respective positions and swap the piston orientation on them so that the bleeder nipple is oriented correctly. a rebuild kit on a c32 caliper is fairly cheap compared to the kit for the c43. $30 < $150.

503C43 ////AMG

I might do the C32 caliper conversion at some point in time but for now I am sticking with the OEM calipers. Checked the tracking number and my calipers are supposed to be here tomorrow.

It has been almost a week without my C43 and I am going through withdrawls! My Honda is not cutting it, going from 302 HP / 302 TQ to 200 HP/ 195 TQ makes me really appreciate the C43's power

eundaddy

the only benefit to a c32/55 brake swap is cost. a brake job on a c43 is much more expensive than a c32. i remember i calculated how many brake jobs would justify the conversion and i believe it was three. there are tons of threads out there discussing the minimal difference performance between the two set ups.

i think you made a good choice in opting for the original c43 caliper. just curious, did you buy one brand new?