Help needed with rattling calipers
 

Hello Gents / Ladies

My first post on the site!

I have obtained a 1996 3.7 A8 (non quattro). I am extremely pleased with it except for one thing. The front brake calipers seem to have worn the pin they slide on so much that I can move them side to side by hand with little effort. A consequence of this is a rattle from both sides over bumps and rough ground.

I have read a lot of the posts on this site and eliminated most of the other possible causes of the rattle.

I am trying to get hold of new or remanufactured front calipers without any luck. I have just had a refund from my last effort as they cannot get hold of them after taking the order.

Does anyone know of a good source? Is there a repair kit to replace the pin?

I know that A8 parts can supply a used set, but I am trying to avoid a repeat.

Any help would be appreciated.

Martin Wood

(working in Ireland, home in Devon)

Rattling Caliper pt 2
 

I managed to get an old caliper from a breaker locally to look at, to see if I could repair it. I should have guessed from the fact that the breaker cut the flexible pipe - how are you supposed to separate the flexible pipe from the metal pipe on the caliper, without twisting the end off the metal pipe?

Can you get e replacement?

Martin Wood:Confused:

You need a special brake pipe spanner to take the metal pipe off the caliper (there should be a nut there). and just use your existing one.

Though make sure you flush it properly, as you will get some air up there.

Rattling Caliper
 

Thanks for the reply, but the problem I have found is disconnecting the metal pipe from either the caliper or from the flexible pipe at the other end.

The caliper I have been playing with is from a broken A8 younger than mine, and I have been unable to remove any of the bolts etc without twisting and breaking the metal pipe! If I do that with the one on the car I am stuck.

I can get it all apart but at this rate I am going to need a replacement short metal brake pipe.

Hi Martin i have had to change both my front calipers for the same reason. I can't remember the name of the company off hand although i think they were called Transhock (I will check though bill's at wk-end). 1 they just sent and i had to send them mine to get a deposit back i think £85 (after refund) and the other i had to send mine to them and they referb'd it as none in stock, 2 day turn around.

What company / s have you tried?
Where are you in Devon?

Hi Martin,

Welcome to the forum. You can separate the flexible hose from the metal hose as they are separate items. You will have to get 2 open ended ring spanners and lotsa easeout oil and just go for it.

You see what I mean from the picture.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1282308231

Thanks for the help
 

Thanks a lot for the help / suggestions.

I got 2 calipers from a local VW and Audi breaker, down the road from where I work in Ireland. No matter how I tried, undoing the joint between the metal and flexible pipe on the caliper resulted in twisting off the end of the metal pipe. Luckily I was able to drill out the fittings and use them again with new pipes manufactured locally.

So far the rattle has gone. Fingers crossed!

As part of the process I bought a set of Goodrich braided hoses. So far I have not had the guts to try and separate the metal / flexible pipes at the inside end. If those break it will not be quite so easy to fix.

Where in Devon - Dezzy
 

Hi Dezzy, home is on the edge of Exmoor NE of Barnstaple. My aquisition will be there for the first time next week as I will be getting the MOT updated.

how often do you have to rescue a helicopter pilot? ;)

Ok so i've not seen it about yet then. There seems to be a few popping up in the area. Don't worry i'm not an 8 spotter just keep seeing them about there was a S8 in Combe Martin last night with a S8 *** plate.

Martin your name is familiar, did you fly Seaking whirlygigs at Chivenor?

Yes Dezzy, I was just about to ask if yours was the 8 I had alook at outside the Black Horse!

Apart from picking mine up from Cardiff when I bought it, this will be the first time it has been to the UK under my ownership.

Its only a "cooking" A8, 3.7 and no quattro. But for the price it puts a smile on my face.

Welcome Martin from "the other 3.7 A8 Owner in the club"!!
Although that said we did see another D3 3.7 A8 at Audis in the Park the other week. Hope to catch up and see the beast soon +++