[s-cars] Rear brake saga - will the questions *never* end?

[Eric Phillips]

OK, so now everyone has done their best to babysit me through this
process.  Here's where I'm at:

I have all of the parts and fluids, except the braided lines - they're
shipping next week.  I have all the tools, except flare wrenches.  I
was looking at buying some of those anyway, but now is the time.  I
have Bentley on CD.  I have a write-up from Audiworld.

I am set, mechanically.  So here's the follow-up questions:

1.)  Chris at Force5 sent me calipers mounted to carriers.  No problem
there.  How easily should the caliper move against the carrier?  I can
move the caliper back and forth on the guide bolts, but it does take a
bit of pushing.

2.)  The rotors from ECS have a bunch of holes in the hub area, but no
small hole for the set screw I remember from my VW days.  I am
assuming the lug bolts go through the larger holes and that there is
no real need for the small screw to keep the rotor in place.  Even if
I take the wheel off, the rotor is still captured by the caliper and
hub, and once it gets fixed in place, eventually some "crud" will keep
it in position, should the need arise for wheel removal.

3.)  The calipers Chris sent are not matched in color.  Oh, I know
they'll get to be a uniform "brake dust grey" in no time, but I did
have the crazy idea to paint the calipers, just for grins.  Since I'm
waiting for the lines anyway, why not?  A little bling just for the
heck of it.  While at first I thought I should paint them Ricer Red, I
thought better of it and decided that I should stick with a shade
closer to the car's Brilliant Silver.  Any suggestions on brands,
prep, "don't do this" sorts of stuff?

4)  Anyone done the BIRA front upgrade?  How many $$$ can I expect to
spend on a Stage I?

Thanks again, guys - I hope to take pictures of all the steps such
that I can add them to the Audiworld write-up.  Including the painting
step.

Eric