400i Front discs | FerrariChat

400i Front discs

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by timthetooth, Apr 9, 2009.

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  1. timthetooth

    timthetooth Rookie

    Dec 18, 2003
    33
    #1 timthetooth, Apr 9, 2009
    Hello, I am just about to start changing my front discs, and getting the calipers overhauled. Has anybody done this job, and can give me some advice before I start?

    I will probably send the calipers to a specialist, so the disc removal is more what I am interested in.
     
  2. moserpe

    moserpe Karting

    Jul 20, 2006
    137
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Moser
    #2 moserpe, Apr 10, 2009
    Once you have removed the calipers, the discs come off after screwing the pin out which is intended for easy positioning of the wheels.
    Here in Switzerland, the discs are very expensive. Therefore I had mine ground (they are still above the Ferrari specified minimum thickness) with excellent result. I found it very difficult to find the replacement parts for overhaul of the calipers. Ferrari is selling new calipers only and the brake shops refuse to supply the set of spares to customers.

    Peter
     
  3. timthetooth

    timthetooth Rookie

    Dec 18, 2003
    33
    #3 timthetooth, Apr 10, 2009
    Thanks for that information Peter, I think I will investigate the possibility of grinding.

    For your information I believe the calipers were made by ATE, and are almost identical to the ones fitted to the bigger BMW's of the same era (735 etc). The Ferrari ones are fitted with a bigger spacer to allow a thicker disc. All the rubber parts and pistons are the same. Don't tell Ferrari ;-)

    Tim.
     
  4. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,222
    #4 aidanparte, Apr 10, 2009
    You could try Overstock Auto Parts for new discs and caliper rebuilding. You might also want to replace the flexible hoses while you are at it too, as they are quite old now.

    Aidan
     
  5. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,222
    #5 aidanparte, Apr 10, 2009
  6. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
    2,169
    Tampa bay
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #6 blkprlz, Apr 10, 2009
    Peter, these items are referred to as 'rotors', & for more than 2 1/2 decades now, brake shops have been 'turning' rotors (the so-called grinding you mentioned) everytime new disc brake pads are installed to true up the surfaces.

    Bruce
     
  7. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,603
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    #7 SouthJersey400i, Apr 10, 2009
    Yes, the calipers are common to some BMW so pistons and seals should be readily available through BMW sources, not cheap but less than Ferrari sources. Because of the thicker discs the new pads are thinner than most BMW's but still available.

    If you want a specialist to rebuild the caliper compare prices of a BMW specialist vs. a F-specialist; it is the same job!
    Ken
     
  8. moserpe

    moserpe Karting

    Jul 20, 2006
    137
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Moser
    #8 moserpe, Apr 10, 2009
    I have tried BMW 745. The calipers are basically the same (same brake pads) but the dia. of the pistons is less than the front calipers of the 400i. The BMW set was quite cheap - and they took it back after it showed unsuitable for the F!

    Peter
     
  9. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
    409
    Bolivar, Missouri
    Full Name:
    Rick Carr
    #9 ricar116, Apr 10, 2009
    I am also rebuilding my calipers if someone knows "for sure" which BMW caliper rebuild kits will work please post
    Thanks
    Rick
     

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