Calliper rebuilding and wheel bearings

[CaptainCrash1971]

Grrrrrrr
Have been doing some work on making my donor parts more servicable, starting with some electrolysis to remove rust. Just experimenting at the mo, but have had good results using part of one of my brake callipers. So, decided today to go to my local motor factors to buy some calliper paint so I can protect the newly cleaned metal.
The guy did'nt have any, but tried to sell me some HT paint. Wasn't sure if this would work, so decided to leave it.
However, while there decided to ask about brake kits, pistons and seals etc. etc.
He told me it was ILLEGAL to sell brake parts, and any brake rebuilding had to be done by experts!!! Don't know wether he was BS-ing me, but told me re-con callipers were 45 quid each plus 12 quid surcharge. I told him I wouldn't need to pay the surcharge as I had callipers to exchange, and he then said, yeah as long as you haven't took em to bits already!!! So cleaning my callipers has cost me an extra 24 quid.
To add insult to injury, front wheel bearings will cost me 70 quid for the pair!!
Does this sound expensive to everyone, and does anyone know where I can get calliper rebuild kits?
Alan

[CaptainCrash1971]

Seems like bull, as I've just found rebuild kits on ebay. Couldn't find the correct one for my callipers though.

[davidimurray]

Big Red sell rebuild kits - http://www.biggred.co.uk/fordshop.html

[tkpm]

I rebuilt my calipers with parts from Biggred

www.biggred.co.uk
calipers@biggred.co.uk

and wheel bearings from,

www.carspares.co.uk
sales@carspares.co.uk

Hope these help

Terry

[flyerncle]

Sierra calipers are £20 ish from local suppliers near you so why rebuild them.

PM for details.

[CaptainCrash1971]

Managed to dismantle my calipers now. Took the pistons out and they look almost brand new. No rust past the seals, no scoring or marking. Seeing as I can get a seal kit for 18 quid I may as well rebuild them seeing as I already have them stripped and cleaned.
Main caliper body is now in electrolysis bath as we speak.

[baz-r]

corse you can rebuild brake parts that is why thay sell rebuild kits!
in some cases it is poor economy to overhaul say a wheel cyl for brake drums as thay are so cheap in the first place.
you should be able to buy caliper rebild kits from any GOOD autofactors
(find a good one that is friendly and sells quality O.E. bits at a good price some sell real junk)
kit spares had them on the stand at exeter show pt.no. bra12 or bra13 you need to know what size you need

[CaptainCrash1971]

cheers Baz, I thought he was talking out his ( ! )
I feel like going down there and telling him there are several places selling brake parts, but then he might set the caliper police on me, it being illegal and all.
Anyway, have now ordered a rebuild kit from Big Redd, hopefully will be here later this week. Just off into the garage now to stick some paint on me caliper parts.

[flyerncle]

Check pm Alan info on there.