Livingston Autoparts Remanufactured Rear Caliper

[iain3915]

It was mentioned on the VX220 forum that a few of you guys had bought Remanufactured rear calipers from Livingston Autoparts. Would anyone care to share their experience of these as I am in need of a new drivers side rear caliper and they seem to be the cheapest solution?

Have you found them to be reliable?

Does the handbrake mechanism work ok as I've read it can be difficult to rebuild these?

[campbell]

Very good. I posted a thread on this somewhere, perhaps in Technical.

[Stu160]

I have a pair on the 160, 4 years now, no problems.

Stu

[iain3915]

Thanks both.

Unfortunately Livingston Auto Parts did not have any stock and nor, they said, did the manufacturer, AMK.

My brakes have gone completely and as I'm in a hurry to get it fixed I've bought a used caliper from Junks which I will attempt to fit at the weekend, as the car is stuck on my driveway.

Any tips on fitting a new caliper? I only changed brake pads for the first time a few weeks ago (cleary made of mess of it if the caliper is now leaking!) so I'm quite inexperienced.

I assume I can follow the changing brake pad procedure and once I have the caliper tilted back with the pads removed, all I then need to do is remove the bottom bolt and disconnect the brake hose? Then I can do the reverse to fit the new caliper which will need bled?

I've ordered an eezibleed and some new fluid so I'm going to attempt to change all the brake fluid for the first time too!

[Ferg]

Have you got a calliper wind back tool? It's sooo much easier when you have the right tool.

[Dominic]

Have you got a calliper wind back tool? It's sooo much easier when you have the right tool.

Or a pair of long nose pliers

[iain3915]

Have you got a calliper wind back tool? It's sooo much easier when you have the right tool.

Yep - I bought the EliseParts one for doing the brake pad change recently.

Although, hopefully the new (used) caliper will come with the piston retracted anyway...

[martins]

Do Livingston Autoparts recondition calipers???

Martin

[Dominic]

Do Livingston Autoparts recondition calipers???

Martin

I believe so.

[iain3915]

Do Livingston Autoparts recondition calipers???

Martin

My understanding is that they sell calipers that have been reconditioned by AMK automotive components who do not deal direct with the public.

[Scotty C]

i found them i nightmare to deal with and ended up buying 2 new calipers

[campbell]

They sent mine off IIRC. Not entirely smooth process (agree Scotty) but great end result.

[Ferg]

Have you thought of doing a refurb yourself ? http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... hment-kit/

Not done it myself though so can't comment.