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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: JHead on 22 February 2023, 09:25 AM

Title: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: JHead on 22 February 2023, 09:25 AM
I am doing a brake job on my 1973 450 SE, I have sourced all the rotors, calipers and pads for it except the front left side caliper. Finding it near impossible to find one. In the process I accidentally ordered a 1973 SEL front left side caliper. On inspection it looks very similar to the SE one we removed. Has anyone had experience using an SEL as a donor car for an SE?

Having a look at the spec sheets, both models list - 'disc brakes internally ventilated
(278 mm)'. Noting though that Partsgeek does not filter the same front calipers for these two models.


Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards.
Title: Re: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: daantjie on 22 February 2023, 01:29 PM
You need to look at the EPC to check your model number for the part number.  Sometimes there is also a VIN split which makes it even more complex.

This is the site I use to check part numbers:

https://partsouq.com/

Not sure if this will help you, but on my 6.9 I have:

Front left: 116 420 00 83
Front right 116 420 01 83

Seller on ebay shows both NOS:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294884226654?hash=item44a878365e:g:80IAAOSwMcxiPcFz&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4OTRiCIC3%2FZE0fwK1D5FHXrIaoiHlF9s3xp9qfdxwh0tBjdu2eVsBYEyCz1TGkvNW6%2Fx5TTXnlOd2hLrrsqgf5%2Bxe1llY42UBH%2BSOj4vAG0Ewnmwld1uQBwiTObnrBXkl3gEH8xmjv0M0VMyTm4mFbpNbKeIYO1C3JKxRicymMK7Fu4zx11Nhoh9XDbjP14w7fVo3JNaGNUYJF8z8JFh5T59Mx0QdUcurn9BmAEmTzOsJu4KyFoyApslRyyvJ3kStj2aOYbHS%2Ba%2FJu2ne14HM0j4eRH%2B1NbZ%2FMQA3kO6bOi4%7Ctkp%3ABFBMgs2lp89h

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294884242727?hash=item44a8787527:g:XckAAOSwIFxiPcOU&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4LG8XWpu1q4veSMD1pkuQa4SsGnllcsn32y8c9mfNQ%2FhApaOeBMdzI%2FSCm2CqMVrWBRpqbCOXMqUjhxiRtRdwQzz1F%2B%2BarjZ5gnIFYm2kKsPS%2B8bGh74yLHJTaa9Uc13TuZ3Qnl9w7u0Gm9kpUgiCzczQbW8mO2VcI2Tvh9tI9rtNyzHrW7TxlaWuFH3MsCnSSun%2F0Wb57Hx4CZgp658%2FCQCrGSp2KT1UePEuOwGMlYvR1OIRxlnypvM%2Fx2OtCI50tE4BMakNmDYqfLVuQbHVAFWVoErn97TYgW9hEqlG5xX%7Ctkp%3ABFBMnL2sp89h

Cheers


Title: Re: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: andrewk on 25 February 2023, 06:52 AM
Do you have Bendix or ATE (Teves) callipers? A photo showing any markings or codes would be very helpful. I find the parts catalogue is helpful, but sometimes the brake callipers have been changed in the last 40 years.

You can buy rebuild kits for both types though ATE/Teves kits seem to be more widely available. You will need to have Left/Right callipers of the same manufacturer. The Chromium electroplating on the original ATE pistons is extremely high quality and most of the time, the calliper can be rebuilt without any issue. New old stock callipers will likely need new seals and shims anyway. Anything you buy used should be rebuilt, both sides.

Can you also measure the piston diameter? Rear ATE is 38 mm diameter, front ATE is 60 mm. I am unsure about Bendix, but I assume similar dimensions and as a result, similar braking performance.



Title: Re: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: JHead on 28 February 2023, 04:30 PM
Thanks for the replies. I'm having trouble getting my VIN to work in the database (116.032-12 005205). As far the type of caliper perhaps you can help identify them with this photo. The piston diameter is 60mm.
Title: Re: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: andrewk on 28 February 2023, 07:19 PM
Those look like Teves parts (ATE)

your VIN should work if it is correct. Is the letter code at the start correct? If you're OK with it you can share a picture of the VIN plate in the car.
WDB11603212005205 does not come up. You need to enter the full 17 digit code with 3 letter prefix otherwise it won't work (and no spaces or special characters).

Personally, i'd just rebuild those callipers. The ATE pistons are very high quality and the cost to rebuild is much lower. Plus you shouldn't really install used callipers on a car without dismantling and rebuilding them (new seals, clean thoroughly and paint)



Title: Re: Are SE brake calipers interchangeable with SEL?
Post by: JHead on 01 March 2023, 10:06 AM
Thanks Andrew. I'll look into the work involved with rebuilding them. Here is a photo of my VIN.