Re: Rear Calipers-Wrong Pistons

["Mike Posner" <posne@cts.com>]

Thw fact that errors occurred from two independent suppliers reflect the
risks inherent in
ordering parts by mail the opportunity for errors  are great, particularly 
rotors, pads & calipers. I would
be very specific re the mismatched pistons, in writing, to the OWNER of the
company, or  demand a refund and a UP pick up of the wrong parts. Good
luck.  MP> San Diego.

----------
> From: Terry Donohue <donohue@azstarnet.com>
> To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Subject: Rear Calipers-Wrong Pistons
> Date: Friday, November 28, 1997 10:28 PM
> 
> Finally decided to replace the rear calipers (Girling) on my '90 200TQ
for
> the usual reason-no parking brake.  After some calls to determine that
new
> ones were $420 each, I ordered a rebuilt pair from Blaufergnugen at $110
> each.  Got them two weeks ago, but careful inspection showed they weren't
> identical mirror image parts.  There were slight differences in boss
sizes,
> bleed screws, method for retracting piston, etc.  Then, I notice the
number
> cast on the side-the left one was a 38, the right caliper a 36.  Yes, my
> car came with 38mm rear calipers; 36mm must be found on some other model.
> I called Blauf, explained the situation carefully, and got the
replacement
> part in today to find that it is, once again, a 36.  They appear to
package
> all rebuilt calipers by side, without regard to size.  Simple math shows
if
> I end up using this mismatched pair, the braking forces will be off by
11%,
> causing pulling on heavy braking.  Do I have to put up with this
> compromise?  Can I somehow explain to Blau that this is an unacceptable
> problem?  Or should I go somewhere else for my rebuilt calipers?
> Incidentally, I got the new rotors for this job from Linda/Carlsen.  They
> were the wrong ones, too, but Linda handled this very swiftly by getting
me
> the proper ones by the next morning!
> 
> Terry
> '90 200TQ (2.0 bar)
> 
>