Rear calipers same as BX front calipers? well almost but no

Greetings

Just thought I would air my findings on this front. I had heard that great savings could be made when replacing the rear calipers by simply asking for BX front calipers instead of GTA rear calipers.

However the seals in a BX unit are all designed for LHM brake fluid and so will need replacing. The overhaul kit to get a new set of seals from renault costs approx £37 so not so much of a saving after all when you add this to the price of the BX unit and all the work required. In addition you will need to swap the hand brake lever arm over from the GTA unit as the BX one is a different length. Please let me know if this rings true and if not where I am mistaken.

cheers Paul

You are partially correct. The pistons are the same as a BX except for the seals. However, the actual carrier is from a Mercedes. This allows pads to be fitted over wider, ventilated discs. In order to change the carrier you would require a special socket with 5 flat sides. I would not bother with all this work as brand new calipers for GTA's can be purchased from your local motor factor for the sum of £90 each. These are brand new Bendix calipers, as fitted by Renault. The numbers of which are Bendix L669256 and L669255. Renault will charge you £350 per caliper. I know where I'd buy my parts!!

Good luck
Andrew

That is great to know!
many thanks
Paul

Heres the prices of the calipers from Eurocarparts. I always get my stuff from there as my mate works there and gets it me even cheaper

Hers the Front Calipers, they're all in stock.
There website is http://www.eurocarparts.com


BENDIX n/a 133745131 CALIPER FRONT LH .
N/S/F GIRLING VENTED £48.50
n/a 133745134 ** SURCHARGE **
N/S/F GIRLING VENTED £25.00
BENDIX n/a 133745141 CALIPER FRONT RH .
O/S/F GIRLING VENTED £48.50
n/a 133745144 ** SURCHARGE **
O/S/F GIRLING VENTED £25.00

Ive been told the rear callipers are the same as the Renault 25.......correct????

I don't think they are the same as the 25 calipers, I saved some from a V6 25 that I was breaking a little while ago but when I came to fit them the handbrake levers on the calipers were longer and positiioned differently. I bought a replacement from Brakes International via the internet for around £120, this compared favourably with Cafco, the local parts factor. The rear caliper is the same as that fitted to the Peuageot 205 turbo 16 coupe - that sounds pretty rare too.

On a slightly different tack - has anyone compiled a list of parts that are common to the alpine and other models? For example, I believe the rear lights are the same as those fitted to a Lotus Elan (latest model). I would be happy to compile and update such a list and make it available to all if everyone would like to send me details of what they have found out along the way. My e mail address is damienwooler@hotmail.com

I recently posted a question about the bottom bush on the steering column. After much difficulty and lots of research it appears that the bush is only available with the collapsible shaft that runs through the steering column and eventually I got the part from Andreas Simon in Germany

Oops sorry that's damienwoolmer@hotmail.com

Does anyone know whether the bendix calipers come with the correct hand brake lever arm?, ive got the BX calipers fitted with the shorter lever arms and although u can just about tighten them up to pass an MOT it only lasts a few weeks before the car starts to wonder!

EUROCARPARTS SELL ORIGINALS !!!!!

Why does nobody listen to me


Only joking, but trust me.

But they only list front ones on their website when you try and get details.

Guys, I'm confused!

Andrew's (Turbodog's) advice is that new Bendix calipers, complete with carriers, can be obtained through local motor factors.

I've tried this, quoting the part numbers L660255 and L669256, however they have been unable to recognise them on their systems. Another company ("Brakes Int Blackburn" <brakes3@zen.co.uk>), which I emailed responded:

"The caliper is available next day from our suppliers in denmark at £79.07 plus vat.Delivery next day £6.00 plus vat.The carrier is a bit of a problem - cannot seem to locate anybody who has got one."

This suggests to me that the numbers refer only to the calipers (without carriers), thus requiring the pentagonal socket to dismantle. (They also didn't recognise the L660... part numbers)

Has anybody actually managed to obtain the caliper and carrier together?

(I tried Europarts but they dont stock the rear calipers)

Any advice gratefully received.

Regards

Stuart

Im confused by this too. I have Bendix listings which have all the caliper numbers, and they do use the L part numbers, but the GTA ones never come up.

The numbers I gave you - L669256 and L669255 are numbers taken off the actual boxes the calipers arrrived in. These are Bendix boxes with a Bendix logo on. I can scan these if required.Also, if you contact Brakes International in Rochdale Tel: 01706 66999 and quote numbers BC8422X and BC8423X, these are also the correct calipers.The price quoted of the ones from Denmark is correct and I think you will find that the carrier is included in this as a caliper means piston and carrier.

I've replaced both callipers (the offside one only last month) and I obtained them from RenTek (Alpine specialist in Weymouth) paid £110 plus £30 surcharge.

I too tried my local motor factors but they could find a match to the Bendix part numbers.

As an aside, I needed to replace all the discs as well, and found that the front discs of an Espace are identical and a lot cheaper.

The pads also seem to match up with Renault Twingos on the rear and Renault Clio's on the front.

Thanks to all for their input.

I received a further email, today, from "Brakes Int Blackburn" <brakes3@zen.co.uk> (Tel: 01254 695695). This one advised that the BC8422x and BC8423x refer to the old unit surcharges. However, they enclosed a couple of pics of the calipers (with bracket/carrier) and they look correct. I've, therefore ordered one and expect delivery on Thursday. Price paid was £122.28, which included delivery, and £20 + VAT which is refundable upon return of the old unit.

I obtained the following details to facilitate any future orders:

RH Rear Caliper (trailing) - pre 1990 - Part No BCA1302
LH Rear Caliper (trailing) - pre 1990 - Part No BCA 1304

RH Rear Caliper (leading) - post 1990 - Part No BCA8585
LH Rear Caliper (leading) - post 1990 - Part No BCA8594

I suppose I better have another go at my carbs whilst I await delivery.

Stuart