123 brake upgrade to 126 2nd Gen
123 brake upgrade to 126 2nd Gen
Due to the fact that there is no dedicated thread to the w126 2nd gen brake conversion on a 123; i figured i'd post one with pics.
Needed for convert:
-Rotors
-Calipers
-Backing plates
-15" or larger wheels
Stock solid 280mm w123
Unbolt caliper and remove rotor
Remove backing plate. perfect time for clean and paint.
Now time to reassemble. Remember your locktite. If it had it, put it back.
If you went the pick-a-part route, you might need/want to do some cleaning and painting. I did, and used caliper paint. It required a bake hardening process. When pulling the calipers at the yard i cut the hoses at the caliper fitting, installed a screw in the open hose to plug off for cleaning/painting. Otherwise a set of pipe plugs would be required.
Once the rotor was installed, (cleaned, painted, wheel bearings cleaned and repacked) I installed caliper and mounted. To limit the amount of spillage and lose of brake fluid, i left the old caliper hose attatched until the new caliper was installed. At this point the line must be removed to unthread from old caliper and rethread into new caliper. They use the same part pad, transfer or install new pads. Note:dont forget to get the pad springs and pins.
After 100 bucks, a trip to the yard and a saturday fooling around making the conversion, Totally worth it! More responsive, aggressive feel.
VERY NICE,
Do you have a list of cars which make good donors ? Is the back brakes easy also?
Thanks for the info.
Please share.
86' and up w126 chassis should all have the 300mm brakes. The rears are the same, solid disc and same diameter. I am not sure about the coupe versions of the 126. I believe they used the same rotor but used a "floating" caliper. You would have to use different pads. Also the w126 with 2nd Gen brakes used a different master cyl. Possibly because of the ABS/ASR system. The pistons in the w126 2nd Gen calipers are the same as the stock 123. Guaranteed cross application. Not sure if the floating calipers have the same displacement which could mess with the proportioning of the brake system.
Also be ready to measure your wheels to make sure they fit over the new breaks! ask how I know this!
Hi, I'm planning to do this next week, i have 1 question though.
Do you use the W123, W126 brake hoses?
I want to order some braided hoses to fit while I'm doing it.
Cheers Frank.
The w123 hose will fit the w126 caliper.
.
Thanks, I'll order my new hoses now!!!
All I need is to pick up some pads before I can join the club
(04-24-2011, 12:43 AM)makin smoke Due to the fact that there is no dedicated thread to the w126 2nd gen brake conversion on a 123; i figured i'd post one with pics.
Needed for convert:
-Rotors
-Calipers
-Backing plates
-15" or larger wheels
Stock solid 280mm w123
Unbolt caliper and remove rotor
Remove backing plate. perfect time for clean and paint.
Now time to reassemble. Remember your locktite. If it had it, put it back.
If you went the pick-a-part route, you might need/want to do some cleaning and painting. I did, and used caliper paint. It required a bake hardening process. When pulling the calipers at the yard i cut the hoses at the caliper fitting, installed a screw in the open hose to plug off for cleaning/painting. Otherwise a set of pipe plugs would be required.
Once the rotor was installed, (cleaned, painted, wheel bearings cleaned and repacked) I installed caliper and mounted. To limit the amount of spillage and lose of brake fluid, i left the old caliper hose attatched until the new caliper was installed. At this point the line must be removed to unthread from old caliper and rethread into new caliper. They use the same part pad, transfer or install new pads. Note:dont forget to get the pad springs and pins.
After 100 bucks, a trip to the yard and a saturday fooling around making the conversion, Totally worth it! More responsive, aggressive feel.
Am I reading this right? You used junkyard calipers on this job? How did you prep them for paint? and did you bake them as well...did the seals stand up to the oven? or did you break them down after sanding and then cook and then put new seals?
Love to do this mod on my W123 as I'm due for brakes, I have a small sand blaster so I'm kind of thinking of pulling a set from the yard and getting a seal kit and having a go at it.
(04-24-2011, 12:43 AM)makin smoke Due to the fact that there is no dedicated thread to the w126 2nd gen brake conversion on a 123; i figured i'd post one with pics.
Needed for convert:
-Rotors
-Calipers
-Backing plates
-15" or larger wheels
Stock solid 280mm w123
Unbolt caliper and remove rotor
Remove backing plate. perfect time for clean and paint.
Now time to reassemble. Remember your locktite. If it had it, put it back.
If you went the pick-a-part route, you might need/want to do some cleaning and painting. I did, and used caliper paint. It required a bake hardening process. When pulling the calipers at the yard i cut the hoses at the caliper fitting, installed a screw in the open hose to plug off for cleaning/painting. Otherwise a set of pipe plugs would be required.
Once the rotor was installed, (cleaned, painted, wheel bearings cleaned and repacked) I installed caliper and mounted. To limit the amount of spillage and lose of brake fluid, i left the old caliper hose attatched until the new caliper was installed. At this point the line must be removed to unthread from old caliper and rethread into new caliper. They use the same part pad, transfer or install new pads. Note:dont forget to get the pad springs and pins.
After 100 bucks, a trip to the yard and a saturday fooling around making the conversion, Totally worth it! More responsive, aggressive feel.