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10-09-2010, 05:12 PM | #1 | |
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Official Fix for Shattered Brake Pistons
As many others have found, the ceramic pistons on the 135i's calipers are prone to overheating, cracking and crumbling to dust. It happened to me last week.
After researching with BMW and Brembo, they do NOT sell replacement pistons and seals. So, I started off emailing StopTech, after receiving a tip via PM here. StopTech forwarded my inquiry to zdeckhausen, and Dave Zeckhausen emailed me with the following response: Quote:
So, if you are looking for insurance, for about $500, you can replace the fragile ceramic units in your front calipers with well machined pieces. |
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10-09-2010, 05:58 PM | #2 |
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10-12-2010, 04:29 PM | #6 |
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I was scared of this issue, and found it a total bummer given the expectation of the brakes, but this is great news and a great find! I guess with some good pads, fluid, and new pistons these brakes could be quite competent for a stock system (although the rotors are still quite thin). Thanks for the research!
Tim
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10-12-2010, 09:12 PM | #8 |
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10-13-2010, 12:27 AM | #9 |
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Nice work larryn, as always, your contributions to the 1addicts community are greatly appreciated. I have some brake work due soon and I'll be checking the pistons/seals very closely! Just nice to know that there's a cheap solution if I find any problems.
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03-17-2011, 01:09 AM | #12 |
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03-18-2011, 08:40 AM | #13 |
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So if I'm reading the original post correctly, our 6-piston calipers have 3 pairs of different-sized pistons?
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03-18-2011, 09:12 AM | #14 |
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The pistons on our brembos are the same as used on Porsche. So the stories about their demise are a bit over blown and the ones that have failed could have a lot to do with abuse
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03-29-2011, 07:05 PM | #15 | |
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03-29-2011, 07:20 PM | #16 |
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I don't see any reason why you can't use your brakes. I just see some cracked seals, which is expected for track events. Actually, they look better than expected.
No reason to loose a track day. |
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03-29-2011, 08:01 PM | #17 |
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Lubo, I just checked my brakes this past weekend and I was surprised how clean they looked after 5 track events. I was able to push the pistons back by simply pushing on them. Not sure how to explain this but I am not too hard on brakes. Yours def looks cooked. Planning to change the calipers or repair the pistons?
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03-29-2011, 08:47 PM | #18 | |
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Whatever I'll do I am definitely fabiricating some sort of cooling hose as this is clearly heat related. It also has to do with what track you drive at. I did 3 events at Monticello last year, and that track is hard on brakes. This modifications is a never ending battle. You improve in one area only to find shortcomings in another. |
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03-29-2011, 08:55 PM | #19 |
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It is hard to see in some of the pictures but out 12 rubber seals 9 were cracked. Once the boot and seal is broken you will get contamination into your brake fluid. After enough negligence your pistons may get seized, overheat and crack completely. Not something I am willing to sacrifice or experiment with as I carry my 8 month old in the back seat couple times a week.
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03-29-2011, 08:59 PM | #20 |
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Didn't Berk find Shims to put in between the pistons and the backing plate of the pads that kept everything in check? I don't know if Autocross generates enough heat to have this issue since we don't even approach fade, but i could be wrong. At least i haven't felt any fade even with two drivers and consecutive re-runs, doing 4 60 second runs with 5 minute breaks. But maybe i was wrong...
For autocross, honestly the stock pads seem to do their job pretty well. I might try some others, but i might also protect the pistons with the shims. $200 for shims and bedding a little bit more than usual to get the pads to fit sounds a lot better than $500 replacement pistons. |
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03-29-2011, 09:00 PM | #21 | |
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03-29-2011, 09:02 PM | #22 | |
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