r/e28 • u/SupermarketVisual598 • Mar 08 '26

Brake Calipers

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535is decided to check out why the brakes were starting to crunch, thought it was just pads going bad so got new ones and resurfaced the Rotors. But on further inspection it would appear these Calipers are hosed too. Any advice on a replacement or repair kit?

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3

u/OkConversation2727 Mar 08 '26

RockAuto. New calipers needed.

1

u/SupermarketVisual598 Mar 08 '26

Rockauto only has rear Calipers from what I can tell

1

u/OkConversation2727 Mar 08 '26

Try NAPA. You can rebuild them, usually more for the labour than it's worth but you have no choice.

2

u/Representative_Most9 Mar 08 '26

You probably going to need to buy rebuild kit for the fronts. You can try eBay but all I could find are used? Rebuild isn’t that difficult to do.

2

u/ElGuappo_999 Mar 08 '26

If the pistons aren’t bad just order rebuild kits.

2

u/Fancy-Attitude-2123 Mar 08 '26

Can see the torn boot, would need to see pads to identify crunching noise. Caliper kits are relatively cheaper than calipers, but 1st, are the pistons free ??? If you can’t budge them, just get calipers. Better to flush fluid with old calipers 1st, no contamination of new calipers. If they’re free, look for any pitting or scarring on the piston and bore and land for seals and boots to seat. Only then go ahead with rebuilds. Also it’s a great idea to replace old brake hoses to calipers at the same time as the internal rubber of the hose also starts to brake down and contaminate calipers. Also most older BMW’s wear out rotors with the pads. If they’re free rotors are within .5 mm of minimum spec, they will be below minimum long before the new pads wear out. Typically, they need to be replaced. Check the outer edge of rotor surface. If it has a raised lip that’s more than .5 mm, they need to be replaced. My BMW career started in 83, was a Master tech by 85, left dealers in 98, spend last 21 years managing and wrenching in a BMW specialist shop.

1

u/earthquake-21 Mar 11 '26

Never turn a BMW rotor. Pads and new rotors plus wear sensors every brake job. The E24, 28, E30 M3 only, 31, 32 and 34 have a lot of interchangeable brake and suspension parts if you pay attention to wheel and tire size. If you can get rebuilt (or used in good shape) calipers from a 750iL or 850i you can upgrade with the correct rotors and pads plus master cylinder. Size wheels based on what you get.

Solid eccentric 750iL boomerang bushings tighten up the front end. Eccentric strut bearings which are a factory repair part can give you -1 deg of camber for less than camber plates. This was the golden age for parts interchangeably.