Heat-warped Brake Piston (Aluminum or Steel?)

Bubbles · 06-17-2010, 09:42 AM

Can anyone confirm whether the OEM brake piston is Aluminum or Steel?

Has any encountered a stuck caliper due to a heat-warped brake piston?

I spoke to a guy at me tire shop who claims he did this to his M3 (he was getting a BBK installed).

Bubbles · 06-18-2010, 03:55 PM

Nobody?

aus · 06-18-2010, 03:57 PM

Check out Juniour's "Biblical Brake failure" thread. That's the worse case post on this board.
Don't know what the piston is made of.

JAJ · 06-18-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Check out Juniour's "Biblical Brake failure" thread. That's the worse case post on this board.
Don't know what the piston is made of.

The caliper is aluminum (for sure) and I'm pretty sure the piston is steel. The way it rusts inside is a bit of a giveaway.

aus · 06-18-2010, 06:16 PM

Anyone know what StopTech, Brembo and AP use for the pistons?
Someone said StopTech uses aluminum pistons?

JAJ · 06-18-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Anyone know what StopTech, Brembo and AP use for the pistons?
Someone said StopTech uses aluminum pistons?

Stoptech website: http://www.stoptech.com/Products/bra...essories.shtml says "aluminum".

AP Racing website says "aluminium alloy" (English spelling) for their four and six-pot calipers.

Brembo? I'm guessing "aluminio", but I didn't actually look.

aus · 06-19-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAJ

Stoptech website: http://www.stoptech.com/Products/bra...essories.shtml says "aluminum".

AP Racing website says "aluminium alloy" (English spelling) for their four and six-pot calipers.

Brembo? I'm guessing "aluminio", but I didn't actually look.

Thank you!!

Any idea why they don't use Stainless steel?
I think some of the racing units use titanium.

Bubbles · 06-19-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Check out Juniour's "Biblical Brake failure" thread. That's the worse case post on this board.
Don't know what the piston is made of.

Thanks, I remember that thread, his failure was a bit different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAJ

The caliper is aluminum (for sure) and I'm pretty sure the piston is steel. The way it rusts inside is a bit of a giveaway.

I don't have my M yet (next week), but I thought the piston was steel on my 335i, assumed the same for the M unless it's a weight issue.

06-17-2010, 09:42 AM	#1
Bubbles Brigadier General 2757 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	Heat-warped Brake Piston (Aluminum or Steel?) Can anyone confirm whether the OEM brake piston is Aluminum or Steel? Has any encountered a stuck caliper due to a heat-warped brake piston? I spoke to a guy at me tire shop who claims he did this to his M3 (he was getting a BBK installed). __________________
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06-18-2010, 03:55 PM	#2
Bubbles Brigadier General 2757 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	Nobody? __________________
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06-18-2010, 03:57 PM	#3
aus Major General 894 Rep 9,034 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Check out Juniour's "Biblical Brake failure" thread. That's the worse case post on this board. Don't know what the piston is made of. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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06-18-2010, 06:16 PM	#5
aus Major General 894 Rep 9,034 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Anyone know what StopTech, Brembo and AP use for the pistons? Someone said StopTech uses aluminum pistons? __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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