REPLACE/REFURBISH FRONT & REAR BRAKES

[ahmed-abrar]

VLANDS & REFINISHED alloys INSTALLED, NOW ITS TIME FOR THE BRAKES

THERE WAS A COMPANY MENTIONED HERE CALLED BCS BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'VE GONE DOWN THE TUBE AS THE WEBSITE WAS LIVE LAST WEEK BUT NOW SUSPENDED BY THE HOSTING FIRM THIS WEEK

ANOTHER FIRM HSAS CROPPED UP CALLED BCR BUT THE WEBSITE HAS ALL THE BLURB BUT NO TELEPHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS MENTIONED (EMAIL ONLY), HMM!?

THEY ARE OPTIONS ON eBay ETC BUT I WOULD LIKE NOT TO SCRAP EXISITING UNIT BUT HAVE A COLOUR CHANGE ALSO CARRIED OUT

ANY IDEAS ANYONE?

THANKS 

[Linas.P]

Hi Ahmed,

It would be sad if BCS really gone out of business, they did rather great job on my calipers. At least for me their site still works https://www.bcs-automotive.co.uk

Generally, you can enquire in any places which works on alloys as the process of painting is rather similar. However, if you need to get your calipers rebuilt then you need to look for specialist company like BCS. Wheel painters usually can do it provided you give them relatively clean and functional calipers.

P.S. no sure all CAPS are necessary 🙂

 

[ahmed-abrar]

hi, i have double checked & it looks like i was wrong about the website, i have sent them an email & will await their reply as to if they are still open during this current lockdown

my brakes seen to be ok but im going to go for full refurb & repaint to match new alloys

[ahmed-abrar]

just got an email quote from a company offering caliper refurbish/repainting services (BCR)

£499 for all 4 seems a bit too much in my opinion?

even buying from eBay new(without exchange etc)would be less! 

 

[Linas.P]

True, although what you usually get are refurbished calipers (almost never truly new), sometimes prices includes exchange (meaning they expect your old calipers back) and finally, if not painted they will look crap after a year.

I just checked and I paid £391 for my calipers full rebuild + paint via BCS and that was with 30% discount. the full price was £509.16. However, you need to consider that shipping was £19.99, the rebuilding was £132, new parts (seals, slider pins, gaskets) £33 per caliper and the actual painting was like £269 before discount + I chosen custom colour, so it was more expensive than regular.

So it really depends on what you need. if you calipers are fully functional just dirty and rusty and you only want them in regular colour (like black, red, green etc) then perhaps BCS can do it for like £149. But if they are stuck or sticking, then you will need them to be rebuilt which obviously adds cost. BRC probably just assumes all will need doing, hence £499.

I suggest to wait until BCS has discounts (they often do as much as 60%) and do it then.

 

[ahmed-abrar]

good advice thanks

Im going to go for a full refurb & repaint in Black(to match alloys)as it will also be a selling point when i upgrade car to a newer one when available

[Linas.P]

No problem... 

Although, I would not count on it as selling point. People generally simply expect brakes to work and that is it, however keeping car in presentable condition is always good idea and gives potential buyers a better impression. So.. it certainly wont hurt, but I doubt it will add value.

good luck with it and make sure to post some pics!

[ahmed-abrar]

I'm also looking to replace corroded rear vented discs, ideally ones which have an anti rust treatments on the the hubs, any options outhere please? 

[Linas.P]

I had mtec discs on my old IS https://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxMBBswsRfIcoVB-i7m2M739LxcEeKIeAEg3ZARi-Ah9n1vqoIcjgcMaAiusEALw_wcB

However, just ordered brembo replacements and they have hub portion painted as well (paid £28 for pair if not mistaken). Basically, just get new set of brake discs (preferably during discount period) and they will be fine. In worst case if hub part is not painted, just clean it well with degreaser and spray it with the choice of your colour from spray can to protect them from corroding.

I got mine from https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/lexus/is/is-ii-gse2-ale2-use2/19066-250-gse20?supplier[0]=30 when they had 60% off for brake parts

 

[ahmed-abrar]

4 hours ago, Linas.P said:

I had mtec discs on my old IS https://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxMBBswsRfIcoVB-i7m2M739LxcEeKIeAEg3ZARi-Ah9n1vqoIcjgcMaAiusEALw_wcB

However, just ordered Brembo replacements and they have hub portion painted as well (paid £28 for pair if not mistaken). Basically, just get new set of brake discs (preferably during discount period) and they will be fine. In worst case if hub part is not painted, just clean it well with degreaser and spray it with the choice of your colour from spray can to protect them from corroding.

I got mine from https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/lexus/is/is-ii-gse2-ale2-use2/19066-250-gse20?supplier[0]=30 when they had 60% off for brake parts

 

I'm familiar with the mtec site but the other one is a brake disc overload!! I'm sure I'll find suitable options, they currently running a 26% discount offer 

[ahmed-abrar]

Ii have been in contact with BCS & they have given me various options for my calipers, inc a competitive 20% discount on pre-payments(available to all)  

Another thought has come to me & after looking through the various forum threads, about swapping my standard front calipers to the ones fitted to the IS350.

lots of info about changing brakes but in trying to find a picture of both calipers together to get a visual idea.

has anyone carried out this swap?

[Linas.P]

Few members on here had, they noticeably bigger and 4 pistons (actually I have same on my RC200t). Just note that you will need different disks - for IS 350. And indeed if you looking to refurbishment it would make sense to do upgrade now rather than later. 

[ahmed-abrar]

11 hours ago, Linas.P said:

Few members on here had, they noticeably bigger and 4 pistons (actually I have same on my RC200t). Just note that you will need different disks - for IS 350. And indeed if you looking to refurbishment it would make sense to do upgrade now rather than later. 

yep defiantly looks like a more suitable option, if affordable!?

gonna look into the costs before i decide on refurbishment of standard or replacement with what should be on in the first place!

[KenMavor]

On 1/7/2021 at 7:04 PM, ahmed-abrar said:

just got an email quote from a company offering caliper refurbish/repainting services (BCR)

£499 for all 4 seems a bit too much in my opinion?

even buying from eBay new(without exchange etc)would be less! 

 

You need to have a look at how much new calipers would be and obviously would not be in any colour......I got new rears....including all the pins, bolts, springs for £85 each at the rear and £90 for the front ones, each.  I then replaced all the disks and pads.....total was £480......I did do the work myself mind you.

[ahmed-abrar]

1 hour ago, KenMavor said:

You need to have a look at how much new calipers would be and obviously would not be in any colour......I got new rears....including all the pins, bolts, springs for £85 each at the rear and £90 for the front ones, each.  I then replaced all the disks and pads.....total was £480......I did do the work myself mind you.

I've done all my research on a straight swap of parts but now looking into maybe replacing front set with IS350 components 

[Linas.P]

Yes they are not the easiest to source in UK. I believe mk3 GS300 calipers where the same and are the easiest to find (they look slightly different, but all dimensions are identical).

[ahmed-abrar]

I've decided not to proceed with a front brake upgrade to large calipers & discs, just gonna go with a full refurbishment of the existing set up inc discs & pads.,

Mainly as this car is not a longer term keeper, planning to upgrade next year to either a 2016+ IS300h or ideally a 2015+ GS450h

my current GS300 is approaching its 20th birthday & will soon be leaving the fleet for pastures new, helping to pay for the improvements & minor mods I'm carrying out on the IS

someone will get a cracking car once I part with the IS next year!!

 

[Linas.P]

Makes sense, especially as potential buyers may not appreciate "mods". If a keeper then I highly recommend this mod, but if you already planning an upgrade then obviously just a waste of money.

[ahmed-abrar]

On 1/12/2021 at 2:17 PM, Linas.P said:

I had mtec discs on my old IS https://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxMBBswsRfIcoVB-i7m2M739LxcEeKIeAEg3ZARi-Ah9n1vqoIcjgcMaAiusEALw_wcB

However, just ordered Brembo replacements and they have hub portion painted as well (paid £28 for pair if not mistaken). Basically, just get new set of brake discs (preferably during discount period) and they will be fine. In worst case if hub part is not painted, just clean it well with degreaser and spray it with the choice of your colour from spray can to protect them from corroding.

I got mine from https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/lexus/is/is-ii-gse2-ale2-use2/19066-250-gse20?supplier[0]=30 when they had 60% off for brake parts

 

ordered a full set of brembo discs & pads from autodoc with a 29% discount, thanks for the link, it seems a very good supplier with plenty of choice & reasonable prices

 

[Linas.P]

You welcome

[ahmed-abrar]

according to the supplied handbook, SAE J1703 is the approved brake fluid, which by all accounts is an outdated spec

 DOT 4 is currently the normal spec but can I use the DOT 5.1 I have on the shelf?

[ahmed-abrar]

On 1/12/2021 at 2:17 PM, Linas.P said:

I had mtec discs on my old IS https://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxMBBswsRfIcoVB-i7m2M739LxcEeKIeAEg3ZARi-Ah9n1vqoIcjgcMaAiusEALw_wcB

However, just ordered Brembo replacements and they have hub portion painted as well (paid £28 for pair if not mistaken). Basically, just get new set of brake discs (preferably during discount period) and they will be fine. In worst case if hub part is not painted, just clean it well with degreaser and spray it with the choice of your colour from spray can to protect them from corroding.

I got mine from https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/lexus/is/is-ii-gse2-ale2-use2/19066-250-gse20?supplier[0]=30 when they had 60% off for brake parts

 

what was your experience with MTEC products, I'mm looking to upgrade my AR166 & they could be a candidate amongst the usual suspects

[Linas.P]

Nothing special, just cast iron disks - the coating was OK thought, the parts which do not wear during braking didn't get as rusted, but eventually the insides of vents still got clogged with dirt, brake dust and rusted shut. I don't think that quality of the discs matters that much (provided they are straight and to the right dimensions), after all it is just good old piece of cast iron. Much bigger difference is the pads, but I have not used mtec brake pads, not sure they even made them back then.

[Beamish]

 

Yes, DOT 5.1 is compatable with DOT 4.0. 

[ahmed-abrar]

Finally my AUTO-DOC goodies have arrived, over 3 weeks later!