[V8] Emergency?

[Roger Woodbury]

Here's an update. Thanks to all I have apparently found sources for front
brakes for the 90 V8.  There are options, and I thought I would put them out
incase there are any unwary UFO equipped Audi types out there.

Option #1:  This is the preferred option for me, as I do not want to bear
the expense of replacing tires and wheels right now.  This particularly
because last month I put on new tires.  I want to continue to use the UFO's
and stock wheels.  There are a couple of places that list the ATE calipers
and I have found that Cardone lists them as available from them, a
remanufacturer.  This is good in that it means that UFO's will not obsolete
entirely just yet.

Option #2:  Yes, I know that used ATE calipers are available, however I will
not use them on my car for two reasons.  These are being installed by my
mechanic, and while he might be willing as a last resort to install used
brake calipers, I know that he does NOT want to do that, and it might really
strain the relationship to ask.  In the entire state of Maine there are very
few really good, high quality Audi service centers, and since this one is
less than 15 miles away, I don't want to muck with the system.  

Option #3:  Last evening I went to Javad!  (Sounds like that ditzy jewelry
commercial just before Christmas doesn't it.  Scene:  the two ditzy, over
cosmeticized and underfed young females are listening to their friend who
has just gotten engaged:  "He went to Jared!"  she oozes, and they all
smirk, and repeat:  "He went to Jared!" which is a jewelry store....)....

Anyway, Javad is about to produce two kits to replace the UFO's.  One uses
Porsche Boxster brakes and will fit under 16" wheels, and the other uses AP
racing calipers and 323mm rotors under 17" wheels.  Around $1600 the set
more for the larger rotor kit.  This means that it is theoretically possible
to replace the UFO's, wheels and tires for around $3500 if a mechanic does
the work, and that would include the rear brake pads and rotors as well.
This is good news if BIRA is kaput, which I suspect is the case, if not in
reality, at least in fact.

The next step today, will be to order a set of calipers, and that will be
interesting.  IF the resellers actually have them on the shelf, it may be a
miracle, and if they don't, then I will have to go to
Jared...uh...Javad...or maybe Chevy!

Stay tuned!

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Head [mailto:v8q at bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 5:09 AM
To: rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [V8] Emergency?

You can get used ones from Chris Semple or Bruce.

Roger Woodbury wrote:
> Rotors and pads are not a problem.  The calipers ARE leaking and they are
> NOT available as far as I have found so far.
> 
> What has happened to BIRA?
> 
> Roger
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Head [mailto:v8q at bellsouth.net] 
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 6:23 PM
> To: rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com; v8newlist
> Subject: Re: [V8] Emergency?
> 
> UFOs, right?
> Rotors should be still avail. Check with Bruce/Chris Semple.
> Pads definitely are - I got my last set at Autozone.
> Are the calipers leaking?
> 
> Roger Woodbury wrote:
>> I just spent an hour with the wrench discussing the process of working on
>> our aging cars.  Michele's 100CS Avant is no real issue provided I can
> find
>> a back light switch in the used market.  I am on the hunt and the
> prognosis
>> is good.
>>
>> But the V8 has some serious issues.  I need to replace the front and rear
>> rotors, pads and the front calipers.  No problem with anything until we
>> tried to locate front calipers.  So far they appear to be unavailable
from
>> any of the normal sources: they are no longer available from Audi.
>>
>> Any thoughts?  I just replaced the tires, which makes me VERY grumpy if I
>> can no longer use 15" wheels.  
>>
>> Naturally, I went to BIRA to check on what they offer if worst comes to
>> worst, and I found that BIRA is no longer taking members.  Does anyone
> have
>> any idea what that means?  It is beginning to suspiciously look like I
> will
>> have to rebuild the entire front end of the car to accommodate inferior
>> brakes, which really makes me grumpy.  I do NOT want to do that, and
would
>> prefer to buy new calipers for the new UFO rotors....
>>
>> Gasp!
>>
>> Roger
>>
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