Brembo caliper premature wear. Normal?

radiantm3 · 01-29-2013, 01:52 PM

So while I was swapping my track pads in the other day I noticed the rubber boots on some of the piston rings were really worn. Here's what they look like on the inside of the caliper:

And here's what they look on the outside:

This is happening evenly on both sides of the front calipers. Had these on the car for 1 year now. Normal?

Beedub · 01-29-2013, 02:03 PM

they got to hot and melted..... This is one reason i like the AP design which is a scraper system....

well done your using your BBK properly :-) Dont worry bro, this part is a consumable and is easily replaceable :-)

Gearhead999s · 01-29-2013, 02:08 PM

That is the dust boots not anything that will cause a braking issue.They should be changed to prevent debris from entering the inner caliper seals & pistons & caliper bores.Race calipers do not have these dust boots for this reason.What pads were you using?

THE TECH · 01-29-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

That is the dust boots not anything that will cause a braking issue.They should be changed to prevent debris from entering the inner caliper seals & pistons & caliper bores.Race calipers do not have these dust boots for this reason.What pads were you using?

+1

radiantm3 · 01-29-2013, 02:41 PM

Thanks guys. Is this something any shop can easily replace? (Just need to order the part?) Or do I need to send them to Brembo to get rebuilt?

radiantm3 · 01-29-2013, 02:43 PM

I'm using one of the Endless track pads for track days. Stock brembo pads on the street (Ferodo's). I drive like a grandma on the street so definitely wear from the track.

Z K · 01-29-2013, 02:44 PM

I had the same issues with OEM Brembos on my previous cars. It is pretty normal wear for track usage. The boots are rubber and they will melt. They do sell replacement boots and rebuild kits when you need to rebuild the caliper.

Gearhead999s · 01-29-2013, 02:49 PM

If you change the track pads outs well before they are worn out it will save you dust boots thanks due to pad material acting as a thermal barrier

ortho281 · 01-29-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

If you change the track pads outs well before they are worn out it will save you dust boots thanks due to pad material acting as a thermal barrier

+1 Sounds plausible, I'll have to remember this one.

dmw16 · 01-29-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

If you change the track pads outs well before they are worn out it will save you dust boots thanks due to pad material acting as a thermal barrier

Wouldn't you be better off (at least as far as cost effectiveness) using up your entire pads and sacrificing the dust boots? Rather than discarding perfectly good pad material in the interest of protecting some rubber rings?

THE TECH · 01-29-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw16

Wouldn't you be better off (at least as far as cost effectiveness) using up your entire pads and sacrificing the dust boots? Rather than discarding perfectly good pad material in the interest of protecting some rubber rings?

You don't have to change pads just to change the boots.

1MOREMOD · 01-29-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw16

Wouldn't you be better off (at least as far as cost effectiveness) using up your entire pads and sacrificing the dust boots? Rather than discarding perfectly good pad material in the interest of protecting some rubber rings?

that would make more sense to me as well. dust boots may be a PITA to change out im not sure but probably cheaper than throwing away half your pads so you can preserve the boots.

Gearhead999s · 01-29-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw16

Wouldn't you be better off (at least as far as cost effectiveness) using up your entire pads and sacrificing the dust boots? Rather than discarding perfectly good pad material in the interest of protecting some rubber rings?

If you are developing enough heat to melt the dust boots then you are putting a lot of heat into the fluid which could also be an issue.Its really time for more brake cooling.I was told my the Pagid rep not to run less than 4mm of pad material.

1MOREMOD · 01-29-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

If you are developing enough heat to melt the dust boots then you are putting a lot of heat into the fluid which could also be an issue.Its really time for more brake cooling.I was told my the Pagid rep not to run less than 4mm of pad material.

well we cant all drive like you. 4mm doesnt seem like a ton i guess. i tend to run down to 2-3mm usually. but im a slow poke taking the scenic route around the track.

dogbone · 01-29-2013, 05:51 PM

The rear AP Racing calipers have dust boots on the pistons. They go bad too. It's pretty easy to replace them. I had to remove my calipers (but could still leave it connected to the brake line) to be able to get my fingers in there. The boots themselves are quite simple to change, and are not expensive. I would use up as much of my $400 brake pads as I can instead of saving a $5 dust boot.

Richard@M-World · 01-29-2013, 06:13 PM

Hey Mark, the dust boots can be easily replaced without rebuilding the caliper. Many race cars which use Brembo's GT kits pull them off and run without as there is an inner piston seal for each piston.

Let me know if you need help ordering them.

01-29-2013, 01:52 PM	#1
radiantm3 AWD...training wheels for RWD Drives: 11 E92 M3, 13 F25 X3 xdrive35i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 3,140 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [4.75] 2013 BMW X3 xdrive35 [4.50]	Brembo caliper premature wear. Normal? So while I was swapping my track pads in the other day I noticed the rubber boots on some of the piston rings were really worn. Here's what they look like on the inside of the caliper: And here's what they look on the outside: This is happening evenly on both sides of the front calipers. Had these on the car for 1 year now. Normal? __________________ 2011.5 E92 M3 6MT / 45,000+ miles / 3400lbs with no driver, half tank / M3 GTS Aero, Rear Seat Delete, Half Cage • Schroth 6 Point Harness • Recaro Profi • 18" BBS FI / 18" TE37SL Black Edition • Ohlins RT • Vorshlag Camber Plates • Brembo 380GT • Endless Pads • Akrapovic Evo • RD Sport Sways • ESS Tune • Supercharger Delete (1:42 @ Laguna Seca, 2:09 @ Thunderhill, 1:56 @ Infineon)
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01-29-2013, 02:03 PM	#2
Beedub Brigadier General Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,058 iTrader: (0)	they got to hot and melted..... This is one reason i like the AP design which is a scraper system.... well done your using your BBK properly :-) Dont worry bro, this part is a consumable and is easily replaceable :-) __________________ Pristine Bi-colour Ti /Bsm...z4m roadster Ess vt2-500....Perfection on wheels.

01-29-2013, 02:41 PM	#5
radiantm3 AWD...training wheels for RWD Drives: 11 E92 M3, 13 F25 X3 xdrive35i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 3,140 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [4.75] 2013 BMW X3 xdrive35 [4.50]	Thanks guys. Is this something any shop can easily replace? (Just need to order the part?) Or do I need to send them to Brembo to get rebuilt? __________________ 2011.5 E92 M3 6MT / 45,000+ miles / 3400lbs with no driver, half tank / M3 GTS Aero, Rear Seat Delete, Half Cage • Schroth 6 Point Harness • Recaro Profi • 18" BBS FI / 18" TE37SL Black Edition • Ohlins RT • Vorshlag Camber Plates • Brembo 380GT • Endless Pads • Akrapovic Evo • RD Sport Sways • ESS Tune • Supercharger Delete (1:42 @ Laguna Seca, 2:09 @ Thunderhill, 1:56 @ Infineon)

01-29-2013, 02:43 PM	#6
radiantm3 AWD...training wheels for RWD Drives: 11 E92 M3, 13 F25 X3 xdrive35i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 3,140 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [4.75] 2013 BMW X3 xdrive35 [4.50]	I'm using one of the Endless track pads for track days. Stock brembo pads on the street (Ferodo's). I drive like a grandma on the street so definitely wear from the track. __________________ 2011.5 E92 M3 6MT / 45,000+ miles / 3400lbs with no driver, half tank / M3 GTS Aero, Rear Seat Delete, Half Cage • Schroth 6 Point Harness • Recaro Profi • 18" BBS FI / 18" TE37SL Black Edition • Ohlins RT • Vorshlag Camber Plates • Brembo 380GT • Endless Pads • Akrapovic Evo • RD Sport Sways • ESS Tune • Supercharger Delete (1:42 @ Laguna Seca, 2:09 @ Thunderhill, 1:56 @ Infineon)

01-29-2013, 06:13 PM	#16
Richard@M-World BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: NASA TTA #92 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: TX/IL Posts: 621 iTrader: (0)	Hey Mark, the dust boots can be easily replaced without rebuilding the caliper. Many race cars which use Brembo's GT kits pull them off and run without as there is an inner piston seal for each piston. Let me know if you need help ordering them. __________________ Authorized AiM Dealer & Data Specialist - AiM Solo \| AiM Solo DL \| AiM SmartyCam HD Authorized Pagid Brake Pads Dealer - RS19 \| RS29 \| RS14 for M3/1M OEM Calipers, StopTech, AP Racing, Alcon & Brembo w: www.m-world.us e: info@m-world.us t: 832-408-1234

01-29-2013, 02:08 PM	#3
Gearhead999s Major General Drives: E93 335is(wifes)E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,389 iTrader: (0)	That is the dust boots not anything that will cause a braking issue.They should be changed to prevent debris from entering the inner caliper seals & pistons & caliper bores.Race calipers do not have these dust boots for this reason.What pads were you using?

01-29-2013, 02:44 PM	#7
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,245 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	I had the same issues with OEM Brembos on my previous cars. It is pretty normal wear for track usage. The boots are rubber and they will melt. They do sell replacement boots and rebuild kits when you need to rebuild the caliper.

01-29-2013, 02:49 PM	#8
Gearhead999s Major General Drives: E93 335is(wifes)E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,389 iTrader: (0)	If you change the track pads outs well before they are worn out it will save you dust boots thanks due to pad material acting as a thermal barrier

01-29-2013, 05:51 PM	#15
dogbone Private First Class Drives: '09 E90 M3 - IB Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 93 million miles from the Sun Posts: 127 iTrader: (0)	The rear AP Racing calipers have dust boots on the pistons. They go bad too. It's pretty easy to replace them. I had to remove my calipers (but could still leave it connected to the brake line) to be able to get my fingers in there. The boots themselves are quite simple to change, and are not expensive. I would use up as much of my $400 brake pads as I can instead of saving a $5 dust boot.

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