Front Apec Discs and Pads Fitted - photos attached

[pturner3]

Personally, I wouldn't use copper grease on my AP Calipers. Any environment between two dissimilar metals and some electrolyte (water) is setting the conditions for corrosion. Looking at the corrosion on my calipers behind the wear plates, its occuring in the region where the stainless plate meets the aluminium alloy caliper. My calipers are away for powder coating at the moment, and then I'm rebuilding them with complete new rebuild kit, inc pistons.

I'll be using Tef Gel on the backs of the wear plates and screws. And brake pad grease for the backs of the pads and the sliding faces. Aluminium HT anti-seize compound would be better.

 

[thunderstarter]

Ah ha Phil!, you know I was just about to post and ask if anyone had actually had their front calipers professionally painted (rather than hand painting them in situ) I have my fronts and rears currently off. Ive had the rears painted already, but come to a stop on the fronts.

Have you split your front AP Calipers? (ie unbolted an individual caliper in half?) reason I ask is that my powdercoaters would'nt do mine, he said there are rubber seals inside the caliper where the 2 halves meet for fluid transfer and the oven curing process could potentially damage them. Only way he would paint them is if I bring them back split.

Cheers
Dan

 

[thunderstarter]

Are these easy enough to fit yourself then? Guess it's just a case of getting the old bolts out of the discs which may be tricky? Where did you get your new botls from?
Thanks in advance,

Matt.

Hi Matt, you'd be very unlucky to find the disc retaining bolts are seized on the discs, they are very short stubby countersunk bolts with a Torx head on them. You could leave some penetrating oil on them for a bit if you are struggling to get them out. Aside from getting those out and removing the calipers, the old discs will just tap off. Its a very easy job for anyone who can use a spanner!

Cheers
Dan

 

[Matt]

Are these easy enough to fit yourself then? Guess it's just a case of getting the old bolts out of the discs which may be tricky? Where did you get your new botls from?
Thanks in advance,

Matt.

Hi Matt, you'd be very unlucky to find the disc retaining bolts are seized on the discs, they are very short stubby countersunk bolts with a Hex/Torx head on them. You could leave some penetrating oil on them for a bit if you are struggling to get them out. Aside from getting those out and removing the calipers, the old discs will just tap off. Its a very easy job for anyone who can use a spanner!

Cheers
Dan

Great thanks dan.

 

[pturner3]

Ah ha Phil!, you know I was just about to post and ask if anyone had actually had their front calipers professionally painted (rather than hand painting them in situ) I have my fronts and rears currently off. Ive had the rears painted already, but come to a stop on the fronts.

Have you split your front AP Calipers? (ie unbolted an individual caliper in half?) reason I ask is that my powdercoaters would'nt do mine, he said there are rubber seals inside the caliper where the 2 halves meet for fluid transfer and the oven curing process could potentially damage them. Only way he would paint them is if I bring them back split.

Cheers
Dan

Hi Dan

The fluid transfer takes place via the fluid transfer pipe at the bottom. I cant see any reason why there would be seals between the two halves.

Hope that helps?!

 

[pturner3]

Finally v- powercoating finished and rebuilt. Here's a couple of pics:

 

[Ali]

They look awesome...Can you give me some more details, i.e who rebuilt them, where you got the kit, who powdercoated them etc etc.

Cheers

AR

 

[pturner3]

Cheers Ali,

I got a German friend to powercoat them for me while I am working out here.
I rebuilt them, and got the parts from Ben Postlethwaite at Interpsares Motorsport. [email protected]
Ben was very good to deal with, and their prices were one of the lowest.

Can't wait to fit them next week!

 

[Ali]

10/10! Cheers for the response! They look cracking!

 

[thunderstarter]

Those look fantastic Phil, im just about to take my fronts to a local paint specialist. they are going to etch prime, paint, apply decals then laquer over. looking at your pics makes me want to replace the fluid transfer pipes now! my seals are on 4-6 week back order from AP racing via Coordsport! i might check with your guy to see if hes got them in stock.

 

[pturner3]

Thanks Dan

I'm fitting mine tomorrow. (Along with PiperCross Evo, Recaro Sportster CSs, and Wheel Spacers, plus some other goodies! - I'm like a kid at Christmas!)

I think it's worth getting the transfer pipes, just because the rest of it will look so good. Unfortunately, I dont think Ben will have them in stock, as all items were back order for me.
Put up some pics of yours when they come back! Would be nice to see them.

 

[thunderstarter]

Thanks Dan

I'm fitting mine tomorrow. (Along with PiperCross Evo, Recaro Sportster CSs, and Wheel Spacers, plus some other goodies! - I'm like a kid at Christmas!)

I think it's worth getting the transfer pipes, just because the rest of it will look so good. Unfortunately, I dont think Ben will have them in stock, as all items were back order for me.
Put up some pics of yours when they come back! Would be nice to see them.

Hi Phil, good choice of seat, these are standard fit seats on my Focus RS, great seat! I'm still waiting for my Recaro Pole Positions to arrive. What's the benefit of the wheel spacers? wider track?


I've posted some pics of my front calipers here:
LINK >