Front discs, replacing

[Dazco]

im planning on replacing both front discs in the near future and overhauling the calipers.
Couple of questions, is there a caliper overhaul kit available? i cant find one on Brickworks site.
What else would be worth replacing whilst ive got it all stripped down.
Ta very much.
Daz

[jamesandtheopenroad]

That was my first job when i got the van and you'll need to replace the bearings at the same time. A bugger to do. Apparently if you put the bearings in the freezer overnight and heat the discs in the oven, it makes it a bit easier.

[kevtherev]

That was my first job when i got the van and you'll need to replace the bearings at the same time. A bugger to do. Apparently if you put the bearings in the freezer overnight and heat the discs in the oven, it makes it a bit easier.

X 2
The inner bearing is a tight fit, mine didn't need the freezer treatment but it would have helped.
the new disc will be amazingly good, my down hill brake fade disappeared.
Personally I would renew the caliper if it is financially viable

[Dazco]

I'd love to Kev but money doesn't allow it at present. If no overhaul kit is available ill strip em all down, clean em etc

[gtavalanche]

Brakes international do a refurbished kit. It's about £13.

[Whitevanman]

Its part number BCK6005 from Brakes International. The kit doesn't include bleed nipples which you may need as well but these can be sorced from local autofactors. Easy enough job. I had to do it for the MOT last year as one of my calipers was sticking.

[California Dreamin]

That was my first job when i got the van and you'll need to replace the bearings at the same time. A bugger to do. Apparently if you put the bearings in the freezer overnight and heat the discs in the oven, it makes it a bit easier.

And how are you planning on handling the scalding hot discs and cold bearing races.

I'm not saying this type of method isn't used as robots are often employed to assemble in 'interference fit applications, for example: to fit valve seats straight out of liquid nitrogren into waiting cylinder heads but this is done in seconds and with exact precision....you would be attempting to do this wearing gauntlets!

Besides, they really aren't difficult to fit with just a hammer and a recently dessed punch.

I know I will get out voted again as I usually do, but why fit bearings automatically without first establishing whether the old ones need replacement?
Visually checking the bearings and races is straight forward enough and then change if they are showing signs of wear, otherwise I say re-use them..this is what a main Volkswagen dealership would do.
Besides, the quality of the bearings coming out are likely to be much higher then the new ones you have purchased to replace them.

Martin

[Dazco]

Thanks for the info on the overhaul on the overhaul kit. Martin that's a valid point re the bearings , as far as I can tell they don't need doing so ill check them out better as and when I come to replace the discs. The last wheel bearings I fitted were on a freelander last year and putting them in the freezer overnight and heating the hubs up with a hot air gun worked a treat.
Thanks again.
Daz

[California Dreamin]

If doing it that way makes it better for you....what do I know

The only advantage to automatically fitting new bearings is you have them to hand. on the other hand, If you don't buy them and then find one of more of yours worn then that does mean a delay in the job whilst you pop out to the suppliers.
Fit new inner seals and stub axle nuts irrespective of the outcome
Cut the bottom out of an oil container, pour some petrol in the tray, use a small half inch brush to thoroughly clean the bearings for close inspection. This makes them ready to re-pack with fresh grease if you choose to re-use them,

Martin

[kevtherev]

but why fit bearings automatically

simple really, unless it's known to be new, while you're there and it's easy, replace it.. as it's a job to forget for the rest of the foreseeable life of the van, preventative maintenance mate.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

That was my first job when i got the van and you'll need to replace the bearings at the same time. A bugger to do. Apparently if you put the bearings in the freezer overnight and heat the discs in the oven, it makes it a bit easier.

And how are you planning on handling the scalding hot discs and cold bearing races.

Dunno, I didn't do it. Someone on here offered it as a piece of advice to me is all.

[California Dreamin]

but why fit bearings automatically

simple really, unless it's known to be new, while you're there and it's easy, replace it.. as it's a job to forget for the rest of the foreseeable life of the van, preventative maintenance mate.

I must admit..changing the bearings 'Automatically' is the easiest route but as they are so easy to check, any quality branded bearing found to be in good serviceable condition will have at least 40 thousand miles remaining life after being re-packed and refitted with clean grease.
Changing them is just plain wasteful and really not necessary.

Incidently...I changed my front brake discs July 2010....re-used the bearings....I've done at least 20K since then including 3 European trips....
If we were talking about gearbox bearings my opinion would be very different but wheel bearings are an hours work max each side so it's really no biggie to change them 3-4 years further down the line.

Martin.

[nobbyfox]

Daz,
I replaced my discs and front bearings at the weekend. All parts are available from BW. I bought them individually and not as a kit. Luckily my brother had a fly press to push the new bearings in so it was pretty easy. If you dont have one of these it could be troublesome. You could find an engineering shop locally who could press them in for you. After inspection of my calipers they do need replacing. They are rusty! Another job soon.

[AdrianC]

but why fit bearings automatically

simple really, unless it's known to be new, while you're there and it's easy, replace it.. as it's a job to forget for the rest of the foreseeable life of the van, preventative maintenance mate.

I must admit..changing the bearings 'Automatically' is the easiest route but as they are so easy to check, any quality branded bearing found to be in good serviceable condition will have at least 40 thousand miles remaining life after being re-packed and refitted with clean grease.
Changing them is just plain wasteful and really not necessary.

The fun'n'games comes when you've bought the discs alone, taken a Sunday morning to strip it all down and replace it all - then find that the old bearings aren't that clever after all, or that the last numpty that was in there fitted cheapies made of GSF/JK/eBay's finest cheese, or (even more likely) that you've just boogered them up whilst removing them from the old discs... You're then sat there, with the van going nowhere facing a decision to either put bits you know are duff back together or leave it immobile whilst you wait for them to turn up. Sure, it's another £60 that you might not need to spend. But you're spending at least a ton anyway on discs and pads, maybe another £40 on caliper reseal kits, flexis and fluid... And you KNOW it'll be right.

The other big advantage is that if you haven't got a press or vice handy, you can swing by a friendly local garage with a press, and exchange a drinking token for getting the bearings fitted to the discs in advance.

[California Dreamin]

Well I can't disagree with you there Adrian just that if a garage adopted this sort of approach the customers would be up in arms at the charges ie: coming in the garage for a £200 job and then picking the van up and being faced with a bill twice as much....

I suppose I am lucky where I live as I've a GSF, a EuroCarParts and a good all round motor factors within 20 minutes drive and our van isn't a daily.

Quoteing my father inlaw here, who incidently ran the 'buggie production line' back in the 60's/70's....if it aint broke then don't try to fix it.

And
You forgot the shock absorbers whilst your there, oh and the wishbone bushes and you might as well do the steering rack mounts oh and the metal brake pipes just in case.......
Where do you stop.
The point is, it's enough keeping up with the expense of jobs that need doing without adding to that expense doing unnecessary work.

And to quote* Sure, it's another £60 that you might not need to spend. But you're spending at least a ton anyway on discs and pads, maybe another £40 on caliper reseal kits, flexis and fluid... And you KNOW it'll be right.
In my experience things never go as straight forwards as they should, you could well be opening a can of worms with work that wasn't needed.
Martin